Journalism and Sociology, Integrated, B.A.

BA in Journalism and Sociology, Integrated

Description

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Journalism is the process of fact-based storytelling that informs a community. An integrated major in Sociology and Journalism provides students with not only an historical and theoretical understanding of social issues pertinent to a community, but also the means to address them through journalism-oriented communication, including related fields such as public relations and advocacy. The integrated major emphasizes socially oriented research and analysis, and production of content in print, video and audio, including podcasting, web design and production and content production for social media.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

A degree in Sociology and Journalism is an excellent entry to careers at the intersections of journalism, sociology, and advocacy journalism and social justice. Career options include staff positions with news organizations, especially public service and non-profit news organizations and philanthropic research positions. Alternately, students who pursue the B.A. in Sociology and Journalism could pursue careers in the media and community relations departments of companies, non-profits, and government entities, such as the criminal justice system. Finally, the B.A. in Sociology and Journalism provides strong preparation for professional schools, including law and social work, and for graduate training in Journalism, Sociology, and other social science disciplines.

What skills are developed within this major?

A degree in Sociology and Journalism allows students to develop solid skills in sociology and journalism-related fields of research, critical thinking, information literacy, interviewing and reporting. With a focus on topics in the fields of social justice and sociology, students will learn how to produce content for a range of news formats, including digital content, audiovisual content and multimedia on traditional platforms such as print through to current developments in the use of the web internet and social media for news and communication. Students also develop strong cultural competence - the capacity to develop a critical self-awareness and to understand the situations and perspectives of people from different backgrounds and cultures, and therefore to work well as a team member and leader in diverse settings.