CSULB Department of Journalism & Mass Communication Mission

Adopted on April 9, 2008

The mission of the Department of Journalism & Mass Communication is to train students for careers in journalism inclusive of public relations and mass media communication.

To achieve our mission, the Department is committed to producing working journalists, public relations practitioners and other communicators with a broad background in the liberal arts and sciences. Reporting, writing and editing skills are emphasized in all phases of the degree program.

By producing students who are prepared to compete on the national level for top-flight employment opportunities, we also best serve the communities of Southern California. The program has developed a core of skills and related theory that are focused into two one major concentrations with several specializations that allow student to develop to their full potential.

CSULB Department of Journalism & Mass Communication Goals

• To ensure a liberal education for journalists, public relations practitioners and other mass communicators.
• To provide professional development, including training in skills techniques and technologies necessary for effective communication.
• To increase public understanding of journalism, public relations and mass communications.
• To advance knowledge through professional practice, research and publication.
• To raise the quality of journalism, public relations and other mass communications through critical examination and study.
• To establish and maintain continuing relationships with journalists, public relation practitioners and other professional mass communicators.

CSULB Department of Journalism & Mass Communication Learning Outcomes

Adopted on April 6, 2006. Revised on May 6, 2009

• Theories, Concepts and History: Students will understand theories and concepts in journalism, mass media and public relations by examining, evaluating and applying diverse theoretical approaches, such as civic journalism, agenda setting, symmetrical communication, and critical and cultural communication, among others.
• Critical Thinking: Students will improve their critical thinking skills by examining the structures or elements of thought implicit in all reasoning.
• Multiculturalism, Global and Social Impact: students will learn sensitivity to cultural, social, and economic differences, and will show appreciation and understanding of diverse audiences and groups in society. They will also critically analyze the social impact of mass media, and be able to understand the current media environment, including issues of convergence, the impact of digital media, and the implications of the technological divide.
• Writing and Editing in Multiple Media: Students will learn to write and edit using a variety of journalistic and public relations formats, including but not limited to news stories, news releases, broadcast writing, and web-based writing.
• Research, Interviewing and Statistics: Students will learn to acquire, evaluate, interpret, synthesize, and present meaningful knowledge gained through diverse research methodologies, such as interviews, surveys, and focus groups. Students will learn to cultivate sources and professional contacts.
• Decision-making and Organizing Information: Students will learn to make sound news judgments and learn how to be a well-reasoned news gatekeeper and decision-maker. Students will learn to assess, organize and present information for a variety of audiences.
• Professional Conduct and Ethics: Students will learn the social and professional expectations for each mass media professional field, and will be able to perform according to those professional and social responsibility expectations. Students will have a solid understanding of freedom of expression in a democratic society, and will know how journalistic roles fit into that freedom, both in terms of rights and responsibilities. Students will learn how to apply different ethical decision-making philosophies and models and will understand the role of ethics and moral judgment in professional and personal contexts.