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Journalism Minor

Wondering why you should minor in journalism at Dordt University? You should minor in journalism if:

  • the possibility of impacting the world through your writing and storytelling excites you

  • diversifying your skill set to tell stories for various outlets and media gets your blood pumping

  • sifting through the facts of a story and figuring out the truth invigorates you

Long story short, your communication skills will get better with a Journalism minor, no matter which major you choose or career you pursue.

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Program Overview

Dordt’s journalism minor trains you to do more than research and write. You’ll learn to care for the story—and the people—behind the headline. You’ll combine a practical course schedule with hands-on projects and assignments.

Whether you’re learning about issues in journalism history and culture or working for the campus newspaper or media network, you’ll be preparing for a bright future. A future where Christ isn’t just a back page article, but is the page one feature story.

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What You'll Learn

You’ll learn the fundamentals of mass communication and journalism. You’ll develop your skills in reporting and writing for the public. And you’ll choose from electives such as communication law and ethics, TV and radio broadcast production, and beat reporting.

What You Can Do With A Journalism Minor

One of the beauties of a journalism minor is that it can pair with nearly any major. A political science major combined with a journalism minor can give students new opportunities to research, develop, and describe new thoughts and ideas in the political arena. In fact, if you want to be able to clearly and effectively communicate your thoughts, whatever your career, a journalism minor can help you do it.

Journalist

A Journalist uses their creative writing skills and expertise to craft different written pieces.

Editor

Editors work with written content to make it publishable.

Reporter

A Reporter is responsible for keeping the public updated with current events and news.

Career Preparation

Dordt University's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”

To earn a journalism minor, students will need to complete five communication courses from a variety of options. Additionally, students will complete two credits worth of work for the Diamond, Dordt's student newspaper.

  • Introduction to Mass Communication: An introduction to the concept of mass communication and its application to electronic and written media. The course will survey the historical development of the technology, effects, and theory of the media through major issues.
  • Introduction to Journalism: An overview of how the insights and skills gained by journalists as they examine and understand the world can be used to sustain and build community. Students examine the reporter’s role and mandate in society, the current state of the news media, and how Christians can use journalism to serve the public good by helping a civilization confront its challenges. The course emphasizes doing journalism with practice in several types of creative but factual storytelling for print, audio, and video media. Students also explore the historical and cultural foundations of journalism and investigate journalism theories.
  • Advanced Reporting and Writing for the Public Media: This course is designed to help students reach the next level when it comes to media storytelling. Students will practice the mechanics and methods professionals use to tell true stories that inform and engage the public. Developing the mind of a journalist, students will apply contemporary reporting strategies and writing fundamentals by covering real events on campus and in the community. Satisfies Core Program writing-intensive requirement.
  • Advanced Non-fiction Writing: This course will introduce students to types of non-fiction writing sought by online and print publications. It will seek to improve students’ narrative writing skills, especially an engaging voice. Major assignments include the profile, the review, and the personal essay. Students will also read and react to various types of non-fiction writing, both essays and longer works. Significant class time is spent in workshop format, with students reading and discussing their own work. Satisfies Core Program writing-intensive requirement.
  • Advanced Argumentative Writing: The primary goal of this course is to help students argue and persuade well in writing, in preparation for careers that demand high-level argumentation—such as seminary, law school, graduate school, political work, and research and grant writing. Students will study the art of rhetoric, writing for specific audiences in order to persuade, dissuade, or inspire them. They will also incorporate research, at an advanced level. Satisfies Core Program writing-intensive requirement.
  • TV and Radio Broadcast Production: This television and radio broadcasting course strives to obediently communicate God’s unfolding creation, equipping and encouraging students to use their video and radio broadcasting skills to live according to His Word. Students will learn the basic fundamental skills in radio and television news reporting, interviewing, commercial production and broadcast remote production.
  • Beat Reporting: Using the community as the laboratory, this course enables students to practice responsibly serving the public good by being a watchdog who holds the powerful accountable and tells the stories of the weak. Students in this course learn the foundations of beat reporting, going deeper into the many subjects a journalist covers. Specialized areas to explore may include politics, education, business, agriculture, art, science, community development, crime, healthcare, sports, and religion.
  • Communication Law and Ethics: The course examines the legal roots behind the notion of a public media. Students will explore the laws protecting communication in the public square. Students will study the ethics highlighting a communication professional’s responsibilities in the face of these legal freedoms and protections. Paying particular attention to principles from a Christian perspective and using case studies, mock trials, and role playing, students will look at both what a communicator can do and what a communicator should do.
  • Issues in Journalism History and Culture: An in-depth exploration of the roots of journalism and an examination of how the media both chronicles and shapes culture. Students follow journalism’s own story from the printing press to podcasts, using research and storytelling skills to bring history to life. Focus topics vary each semester but in general will include a look at the people and technology that drove journalism’s growth. Readings may come from such well-known journalists as Ben Franklin, Mark Twain, Nellie Bly, and Ida Tarbell while periods covered could include the American Revolution, The Civil War, Vietnam, Watergate, and the War on Terrorism.
  • Diamond Workshops: This workshop provides hands-on practical experience working as a team on the campus newspaper and website, the Diamond. Joining the staff of the student-led publication offers opportunities to apply multimedia storytelling and design skills learned in class, hone deadline-reporting expertise, and develop management and leadership abilities. This workshop is required of all journalism majors and may be completed for credit up to four times.

See the course catalog for more information.

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Faculty

With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.

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Related Programs

Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options.