Journalism Pathway
Journalism tells stories about people, places and things. It records history as it is happening, and amplifies the voices and experiences of all community members, not just the establishment voices, often framing issues in the interest of justice and civil discourse.
If storytelling is your passion, consider pursuing DePauw’s Journalism Pathway.
When you embark on the Journalism Pathway, you will take focused coursework in reporting, news writing, and multimedia newsgathering within a strong liberal arts framework designed to broaden your understanding of contemporary issues and the social, political, and historical contexts that shape them. This coursework is combined with applied cocurricular and internship opportunities that enable you to hone your craft and build a portfolio of work across print, radio, television, and multimedia journalism.
The Journalism Pathway is appropriate for students in any major. Every discipline – whether in the sciences, arts, humanities, or social sciences – needs people who can report on, contextualize, and explain complex ideas for a general public in need of information.
HOW DOES A DEPAUW EDUCATION RELATE?
No practice is more in keeping with the liberal arts than journalism. A liberal arts education requires students to become astute and critical readers, clear and effective writers, and curious and expansive thinkers; it teaches students how to solve problems by learning how to think about those problems from multiple angles.
These are precisely the skills that animate journalism. Journalists must be open to the world in all its complexity. They must be able to learn new things quickly by asking the right questions, and to be able to explain those things clearly for an audience that needs to know. In these ways, a liberal arts education is a cornerstone of good journalism.
Courses
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ENG 232: News Writing and Editing
An introduction to the art and craft of writing for newspapers, including story structure, research techniques, interviewing, note-taking, ethics, libel and AP style. You will sharpen your writing and reporting skills by covering campus events, writing stories on deadline and following national and local media coverage.
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ENG 331: Advanced Reporting Workshop
An upper-level reporting class for students who have taken News Writing and Editing or have written for a student publication. You will analyze and discuss long-form, investigative journalism and write a series of in-depth news features. The course will address how to incorporate literary techniques in news writing.
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ENG 332: Advanced Reporting Topics
An upper-level reporting class for students who have taken News Writing and Editing or have written for a student publication. You will study forms of journalistic writing and pursue long-form stories. Offerings might include feature writing, profiles, investigative journalism, magazine feature writing, or reviews and criticism. Recent topics included “Covering the Uncovered,” “Solutions Journalism,” and “Think Like a Travel Writer.”
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COMM 235: Electronic Journalism
Critical analysis of the role of electronic newsgathering and dissemination in modern society, including ethics and responsibilities. Study and practice in preparation, reporting and disseminating of news emphasizing documentary production, news analysis and public affairs reporting.
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COMM 236: Television Production and Televisual Literacy
An introduction to the basic concepts and processes of television production. Emphasis is placed on the creation and analysis of ideas communicated through the medium of television, including aesthetic, ethical and technical influences on message construction. You will learn studio and field production: basic scripting, lighting, audio, camera/picturization, editing, directing, etc. Televisual literacy is developed, and assignments apply the critical skills needed to interpret and analyze visual imagery and television programming.
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COMM 335: Media Law
Inquiry into media law, including responsibility and free speech issues, libel, privacy, fair trial, copyright, obscenity, the Federal Communications Commission, shield laws, censorship, management and operating regulations, newsperson privileges, political communication and advertising regulation. An analysis of the political and economic forces affecting the development of media law.
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COMM 291/COMM 401: Special Topics in Communication
Recent journalism topics have included “Multimedia Journalism,” “Digital Storytelling,” “Histories of the American Press,” “Covering the 2016 Campaigns,” and “Washington and The Grassroots in the Post-election.”
Fortt & Solomon
Jon Fortt ’98 - Squawk Alley Co-anchor, CNBC
“DePauw is an ideal laboratory for student journalists. Whether it’s the Greek system and the evolving social climate, the challenge and promise of diversity, or the rush of new ideas from visiting speakers, I found there’s plenty to cover. Plus, as a student I got access to storytelling tools at the PCCM – and that hands-on experience is every bit as vital today.”
Ben C. Solomon ’10 – international correspondent, VICE News, and Pulitzer Prize winner
“So much of what makes DePauw great is its flexibility. It allowed me to study abroad and to work in broadcasting and newspaper journalism around the world. It was flexible enough to let me film and edit my first documentary as my senior project. It was even flexible enough to help me get my first job out of college at The New York Times. I think education is about making compromises for what each student needs. Big schools could never offer the access to instructors, the unquestionable support and the amazing alumni network that DePauw has. The ability to open up paths for students to succeed is really special and I think vastly underrated.”
ON-CAMPUS STUDENT MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
DePauw boasts a robust student media tradition, extending back to 1852 with the establishment of the student newspaper, Asbury Notes (later renamed The DePauw). That legacy continues unbroken to this day, with three award-winning media outlets operating out of the Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media. In keeping with our beliefs that the liberal arts provide the perfect training ground for journalists, the student media outlets are open to every student at DePauw, regardless of major.
The DePauw is published both digitally and in print.
The DePauw is Indiana’s oldest college newspaper and the founding chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, established in 1909. The newspaper operates as an independent media outlet funded by advertising, subscriptions, and an endowed fund from the Dow Jones News Fund.
WGRE is a broadcast and internet-distributed radio station.
WGRE’s history extends back to 1948 as the first 10-watt educational radio station licensed by the FCC. WGRE reports daily national and local news, and covers local politics through weekly shows such as “State of the Castle” and “DePolitics.” WGRE also has a storied tradition of sports reporting.
D3TV is an internet-distributed campus television station established in 1995.
D3TV is the home of “The Source,” a weekly news program covering campus and the Greencastle community. D3TV also hosts a weekly sports roundup, “Tiger Sports Nation,” and a weekly interview show, “Tuesday Talks,” providing in-depth coverage of campus issues.
INTERNSHIPS
DePauw offers a wide range of internship opportunities for students interested in journalism. These internships can take many forms: summer, semester-long, or short three-week internships during winter term. The staffs of the Hubbard Center for Student Engagement, the Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media, and the Media Fellows Program will help you procure an internship Our students have interned at a range of locations across a variety of media platforms, including:
PRINT/ONLINE
The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Oregonian, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Indianapolis Star, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne)
TELEVISION
The Today Show, CBS News, Fox News, CNBC, C-SPAN, KPRC-2 (NBC affiliate in Houston).
DIGITAL
The Media Wire (Jerusalem), D.C. Witness (Washington D.C.)
WHAT OTHER OFFICES AND PROGRAMS MIGHT I CONNECT TO?
- Communication and Theatre department
- English department
- Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media
- Media Fellows Program
- The DePauw
- WGRE
- D3TV.
WHO ELSE CAN TELL ME MORE AND ANSWER MY QUESTIONS?
- Jonathan Nichols-Pethick,
director
Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media - Melanie Finney
chair
Communication and Theatre Department - Harry Brown
chair
English Department - Jeff McCall
professor
Communication and Theatre