Journalism students focus on issues of civic and cultural importance with a traditional news stance in their work, but there are ample opportunities for experimenting with styles of journalism that are appropriate for magazines, publications with a literary bent, and emerging Internet-based platforms. Students also hone their visual storytelling skills in photojournalism and multimedia design courses. Students pursuing a major or minor in journalism choose from an array of elective courses. These include literary journalism, news leadership, media ethics, entrepreneurial journalism, and sports writing. The senior capstone project expects proficiency in the journalistic foundations of reporting, writing and designing news products. In addition, students must demonstrate understanding of the philosophical core of journalism’s historical role in the development of civic conversation and in the array of political systems around the globe. Most Gonzaga journalism students work for the weekly student newspaper, The Gonzaga Bulletin (gonzagabulletin.com), as writers, editors or photographers. Credit toward the journalism major and minor is available, as well as a stipend for staff writers, photographers, and editors. Many journalism students garner journalistic experience in the professional environment through internships, for which they may also earn academic credit. Students intern during summers in their hometowns at a local paper, magazine, or radio station, or during the school year at media companies in Spokane such as the city’s daily newspaper, The Spokesman-Review, weekly papers such as the Pacific Northwest Inlander, the Liberty Lake Splash, or regional magazines published in Spokane. Some students also work at the Associated Press Data Center located in Spokane, gathering sports scores and election results from around the country. Gonzaga’s student journalists have been awarded prestigious internships with the San Francisco Chronicle, the Seattle Times, the Denver Post, and the San Jose Mercury News as part of the national Dow Jones Internship Program, in addition to the Washington, D.C.-based National Geographic magazine. Journalism graduates pursue careers in a plethora of fields, from traditional news organizations to science writing to visual careers in publishing design and photography. Some journalism students seek graduate degrees in M.F.A. writing programs, while others earn law degrees. Journalism alumni say the writing,
interviewing, and research skills they learned within the context of social justice awareness have served them well.
PUBLIC RELATIONS The Public Relations program combines study of communication theory, research techniques, and corporate strategies and structures with journalistic expertise. Students learn to skillfully manage communication between organizations and the people they serve. Internships with local, national, and international organizations provide handson experience in campaign planning, corporate communication, and nonprofit organization advocacy. As part of the senior capstone course, public relations students develop a portfolio, articulate a philosophical statement of communication, and write a thesis. As part of the Public Relations coursework, students work directly with a local organization in creating a comprehensive public relations plan and media kit. Public relations skills also enhance other degrees. Students majoring in a variety of disciplines—political science students interested in honing their political campaigning skills, students in the humanities with interests in promoting and publicizing the arts, business students seeking to complement marketing and management concentrations—may consider completing a Public Relations minor.
THE PEOPLE Erin Dorsey | M.S., Eastern Washington University; Ph.D. candidate, Gonzaga University | public relations, social media, leadership | dorsey@gonzaga.edu Susan English | M.A., Gonzaga University | Dept. Chair | news writing, media ethics, literary journalism, journalism history | english@gonzaga.edu J. Mike Fitzsimmons | B.S., J.D., Gonzaga University | audio production, industrial and commercial nonbroadcast television, audio/video script writing | fitzsimmons@gonzaga.edu Dan Garrity | M.A., Gonzaga University | Director of Broadcasting | broadcast journalism, videography, nonlinear editing, documentary production | garrity@gonzaga.edu John Kafentzis | M.A., Gonzaga University | news reporting and writing, news editing, news layout and design | kafentzis@gonzaga.edu Thomas Miller | M.A., Syracuse University | Director of Journalism | news reporting and writing, editing and design, religion reporting, sports reporting | miller@calvin.gonzaga.edu Ron Prindle | Ph.D., Gonzaga University | public relations (community, international, employee, cultural, and government), social media, group communication (intercultural, crisis, and organizational), branding, organizational leadership and change | prindle@gonzaga.edu
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
and writing for the array of media platforms. Gonzaga’s program emphasizes the role and responsibilities of journalism within the context of civic and political participation. It supports the Gonzaga Mission Statement’s commitment to social justice and seeks to develop awareness of injustice among its students. Courses in journalism history, media law and ethics, and press theory form the philosophical foundation for the major and minor.