Journalism (AA)
Associate of Arts
Transfer Program
Interest Areas:
- Arts, Comm., and Humanities
This program improves writing skills while preparing students for careers in journalism or communication. COMJ courses focus on improving the skills needed to disseminate engaging content on multiple platforms. Students mix theoretical training with practical experience by working as staff on the national award-winning NIC publication, The Sentinel, its multimedia website, and social media accounts.
Completion of the following courses results in an associate degree and meets the general core requirements at all Idaho public universities. The suggested coursework normally fills the first half of baccalaureate degree requirements in Journalism. Course selection should be tailored to match requirements defined by intended transfer institutions.
Contact Information:
Communication & Fine Arts Division
Boswell Hall, Room 144
Phone: (208) 769-3276
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| GEM 1 - Written Communication | 6-8 | |
| GEM 2 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| GEM 3 - Mathematical Ways of Knowing | 3-5 | |
| GEM 4 - Scientific Ways of Knowing | 7-8 | |
| GEM 5 - Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing 1 | 3 | |
| GEM 6 - Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing 2 | 0 | |
| GEM 7W - Wellness | 1-3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Program Requirements | ||
| COMJ-100 | The Sentinel | 1-2 |
| COMJ-121 | Introduction to Media Writing | 3 |
| COMJ-140 | Mass Media in a Free Society   | 3 |
| COMJ-222 | Modern Reporting and Podcasting | 3 |
| PHTO-183 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 3 |
| PHTO-289 | Photojournalism | 3 |
| PHIL-103 | Introduction to Ethics  | 3 |
| or PHIL-201 | Logic and Critical Thinking | |
| POLS-101 | American National Government | 3 |
| or PSYC-101 | Introduction to Psychology | |
| Elective Requirements | ||
| Courses 100-level or higher | 8-11 | |
| Total Credits | 60-67 | |
- 1
This General Education Requirement is partially met by the Program Requirements.
- 2
This General Education Requirement is met by the Program Requirements.
Recommended Elective Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL-293 | Creative Writing: Literary Nonfiction | 3 |
Course Key
- GEM
- AAS Institutionally Designated
-
- Gateway
-
- Milestone
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Compose and edit content in an industry-approved format on a variety of platforms for the modern newsroom.
- Report information with balanced and objective treatment by avoiding personal bias and using proper grammar and punctuation.
- Identify and explain fundamental issues, concepts and events concerning media history, law and ethics.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically by gathering and researching relevant facts, choosing and interviewing appropriate sources, analyzing data, and evaluating information for accuracy and newsworthiness.
- Identify the traits of a media literate consumer and develop strategies for critically analyzing and discussing media messages.
In addition to the program outcomes, students will meet the North Idaho College General Education (GEM) Requirements.
Full-Time Pathway
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| COMJ-121 | Introduction to Media Writing Gateway course | 3 |
| COMJ-100 | The Sentinel Gateway course | 1 |
| COMM-101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| COMJ-140 | Mass Media in a Free Society Gateway course | 3 |
| ENGL-101 or ENGL-101P |
Writing and Rhetoric I or Writing and Rhetoric I |
3-4 |
| GEM 3 - Mathematical Ways of Knowing | 3-5 | |
| Credits | 16-18 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COMJ-222 | Modern Reporting and Podcasting Milestone course | 3 |
| COMJ-100 | The Sentinel Milestone course | 1 |
| ENGL-102 or ENGL-102P |
Writing and Rhetoric II or Writing and Rhetoric II |
3-4 |
| PHIL-103 or PHIL-201 |
Introduction to Ethics or Logic and Critical Thinking |
3 |
| GEM 4 - Scientific Ways of Knowing | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| PHTO-183 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 3 |
| COMJ-100 | The Sentinel | 1 |
| POLS-101 or PSYC-101 |
American National Government or Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
| GEM 4 - Scientific Ways of Knowing | 4 | |
| GEM 5 - Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing | 3 | |
| GEM 7W - Wellness | 1-3 | |
| Credits | 15-17 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| PHTO-289 | Photojournalism Milestone course | 3 |
| COMJ-100 | The Sentinel | 1 |
| GEM 7I - Institutionally Designated | 3 | |
| Electives | 8-11 | |
| Credits | 15-18 | |
| Total Credits | 60-67 | |
Course Key
- GEM
- AAS Institutionally Designated
-
- Gateway
-
- Milestone
Part-Time Pathway
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| COMJ-121 | Introduction to Media Writing Gateway course | 3 |
| COMJ-100 | The Sentinel Gateway course | 1 |
| ENGL-101 or ENGL-101P |
Writing and Rhetoric I or Writing and Rhetoric I |
3-4 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COMM-101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| ENGL-102 or ENGL-102P |
Writing and Rhetoric II or Writing and Rhetoric II |
3-4 |
| GEM 3 - Mathematical Ways of Knowing | 3-5 | |
| Credits | 9-11 | |
| Summer 1 | ||
| COMJ-140 | Mass Media in a Free Society | 3 |
| GEM 4 - Scientific Ways of Knowing | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| PHIL-103 or PHIL-201 |
Introduction to Ethics or Logic and Critical Thinking |
3 |
| PHTO-183 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 3 |
| POLS-101 or PSYC-101 |
American National Government or Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| COMJ-222 | Modern Reporting and Podcasting Milestone course | 3 |
| COMJ-100 | The Sentinel | 1 |
| GEM 5 - Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing | 3 | |
| GEM 7W - Wellness | 1-3 | |
| Credits | 8-10 | |
| Summer 2 | ||
| GEM 4 - Scientific Ways of Knowing | 4 | |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| COMJ-100 | The Sentinel | 1 |
| GEM 7I - Institutionally Designated | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| PHTO-289 | Photojournalism | 3 |
| COMJ-100 | The Sentinel | 1 |
| Elective | 5-8 | |
| Credits | 9-12 | |
| Total Credits | 60-67 | |
Course Key
- GEM
- AAS Institutionally Designated
-
- Gateway
-
- Milestone