Communication Multimedia Newsgathering and Reporting

Department of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences

Neff Hall 230 ~ 260-481-6825 ~ ipfw.edu/comm

The area is designed to provide students with theoretical, conceptual and practical skills that they will need as a consumer and practitioner of journalism, and to enable students to fulfill their responsibilities as citizens in a self-governing democracy. The area will prepare students with essential skills for today’s digital media environment. Students will learn how to research, write, interview and produce news content, including written, audio and video components, for newspapers, magazines, television, radio and the Internet, including Web sites and social media.

Suggested minors: Biology, business studies, criminal justice, economics, labor studies, political science, psychology, public affairs and sociology.

Students completing the multimedia newsgathering and reporting concentration will be able to:

• Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances
• Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications
• Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications
• Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society
• Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity
• Think critically, creatively and independently
• Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve
• Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness
• Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts
• Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work