Telling the Truth. Changing the Narrative.
Journalism is more than reporting the news—it's about bearing witness, building trust, and shaping how communities understand themselves and the world around them. At Tougaloo, journalism students learn to write with clarity, report with accuracy, and produce multimedia content that resonates. From breaking stories to long-form investigations, students are trained to think critically, report ethically, and speak truth to power in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
About the Program
The journalism major equips today's students with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing media profession. Not only are students exposed to the theory of news gathering and mechanics of writing, but they also learn how to produce stories for print, broadcast, online and mobile media. Students are expected to write stories both inside and outside the classroom, often under a deadline.
Besides news writing, journalism students learn how to shoot, produce, and edit video for broadcast and online outlets, take photographs, and design web pages. The program strives to produce versatile journalists who can work on a variety of news platforms or start their own news outlet.
Students majoring in journalism may earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Journalism. Students are required to take all courses in sequential order. Students need a minimum of 124 semester hours for graduation.
Course Requirements
To earn the B.A. in Mass Communication – Journalism Emphasis, students must complete 124 total credit hours distributed across core mass communication courses and specialized journalism courses.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: MASS COMMUNICATIONS
This course is a survey of the development and the operation of print and electronic media including an overview of mass communication theory and effects research. The course is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the media industry and professions in the mass media.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course is designed to familiarize the student with various theories of mass communication. Students will understand the evolution of theories in mass communication and discover how theories of mass communication apply to everyday life.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts of news writing for print and electronic media. The course will equip the students with skills needed in understanding the principles, differences, and similarities in writing for print and electronic media.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to work in the media industry by improving specific communication skills. Vocal weaknesses will be evaluated and students will be provided the necessary tools help improve their speech patterns and voices. Students will be introduced to the International Phonetic Alphabet and will practice skills by engaging in mock communication exercises related to Mass Communication.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course is designed to give students training and experience in recognizing and gathering information worthy of news and feature stories as well as the art of reporting, content, including video and still photography, for the students media website will be incorporated in the class. Course work will also be used to produce the student newspaper and other student media projects.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course is designed to give students training and experience in recognizing and defining news, news gathering and news writing. Course work will be used for the student newspaper and other student media projects.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
The purpose of this course is to assist the student in understanding research and writing as it relates to the field of mass communication. Students will investigate work by scholars in the field and will also be introduced to the tools needed in order to conduct their own research and write the results. This course prepares the student for further study within the department, for the senior project, and for study beyond the Bachelor's degree in mass communication.
Prerequisites: ENG 101, ENG 102, COM 101, 111, 112, 113, 114 & 115
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course is a survey of the ethical aspects of the mass media. The course prompts students to consider their roles as media practitioners and the ethical issues that arise.
Prerequisites: ENG 101, ENG 102, COM 101, 111, 112, 114, 115 & 211
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course is a general study of legal history and the application of specific laws as they apply to the mass media in the Unites States. Issues such as libel, invasion of privacy, indecency, obscenity, etc., will be investigated through the course. Offered once per year in alternate odd years.
Prerequisites: ENG 101, ENG 102, COM 101, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 211 & 212
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course will assist the student in developing skills in evaluating the use of graphics for promotional media in mass communication. The student will learn to critically assess campaign needs and analyze visual components for effective message communication using graphic editing software.
Prerequisites: ENG 101, ENG 102, COM 101, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 211 & 212
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course will teach students about the basics of still photography for use in mass communications, with emphasis on advertising, public relations, journalism and broadcasting. The latest digital photographic techniques will be employed, including digital still cameras and digital darkroom software. This course also focuses on how mass communication professionals make their own photographs suitable for publication in newspapers, magazines and other publications.
Prerequisites: ENG 101, ENG 102, COM 101, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 211, 212 & 312
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Upon completion of all other core requirements and requirement for the emphasis area, students will work for a professional mass media organization under the direction of the instructor and the guidance of media personnel. This course may be taken twice.
Prerequisites: All 100, 200 and 300 level courses
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course examines the theoretical aspects of persuasion in the media. Students will be introduced to theory, principles and tactics by which persuasive messages are developed and conveyed. Additionally, students will gain the ability to recognize and critically analyze persuasive attempts in the media.
Prerequisites: All 100, 200, & 300 level courses
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This course will encourage the students to think critically about the role and the impact of the media in contemporary society by examining the media industry, media content, media consumption and emerging technologies. Additionally, students will consider controversial issues surrounding the mass media.
Prerequisites: All 100, 200, & 300 level courses
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
This is a special topics course which will explore current issues in mass communication. Topics will alternate each time the course is offered.
Prerequisites: All 100, 200 and 300 level courses
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: JOURNALISM
This course is designed to give students experience in newspaper writing and other print-media news-gathering projects. Students strengthen writing, reporting, and multimedia journalistic skills while learning to ethically and effectively tell stories, research data, interview sources, structure news stories, and design newspaper publications.
Prerequisites: ENG 101, ENG 102, COM 101, COM 111, COM 112
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Training and experience in news gathering, evaluation, news writing, and reporting. Selected work is published in the student newspaper.
Prerequisites: COM 101, COM 111, COM 112, COJ 111
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Focuses on the editing process within newspaper organizations. Students gain hands-on experience editing copy for print media and the student newspaper.
Prerequisites: COM 101, COM 111, COM 112, COJ 111, COJ 211
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Develops advanced writing and reporting skills for newspapers and magazines. Students explore specialized reporting in human-interest, religion, public affairs, and other feature styles.
Prerequisites: COM 101, COM 111, COM 112, COJ 111, COJ 211, COJ 212
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS