School of Humanities & Behavioral Science
Journalism
Whether it focuses on breaking news, in-depth reporting, sports, or arts and entertainment coverage, journalism involves the art of storytelling. Anderson University’s journalism major emphasizes telling stories with clarity and purpose, in a variety of media. Since the major is “complementary,” students pair it with a primary major in another area of interest—such as, but not limited to, political science or history.
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Program Options
Complementary Major
Complementary major just means that this particular major must be completed alongside another major at Anderson University. Students can pair it with a variety of academic endeavors in which they are interested in to earn their degree from AU. Complementary majors are often more in-depth than minors and this academic option will allow you to explore more than one topic that you are interested in while you study at AU.
Minor
Complete 18-hour minor with the Department of Communication and Design Arts.
Classes
What courses will I take?
Among the classes in the 30-hour major are:
- Writing for the Media
- Visual Communication
- Advanced Newswriting and Reporting
- Advanced Features and Magazine Writing
- Communicating Effectively Through Social Media
Careers
What kind of jobs can I anticipate after graduation?
Graduates with journalism, writing and storytelling skills find jobs in a variety of areas, including:
- traditional print
- broadcast and online journalism
- writing
- editing
- sports information
- book publishing
- associated fields such as public relations
Experience
As a journalism major, you’ll produce print and multimedia stories in your classes and for the student newspaper, the Andersonian. Many students take paid staff positions on the newspaper as editors, writers, photographers, and designers. You could expect to take an internship as a required part of your major.
OUR FACULTY
- All
- Journalism
David Baird, professor of communication, is the academic advisor for journalism students as well as faculty advisor for the student newspaper, the Andersonian. Special interests include political communication and media history, and one of the highlights of his professional career was interviewing Pem Farnsworth, who was working in the lab alongside husband Philo Farnsworth when he invented electronic television in 1927. Baird was associate producer for the Department’s A Ripple of Hope documentary, and his articles have appeared in Columbia Journalism Review, Quill, American Journalism, and other publications.
Baird joined the Department of Communication Arts in 1990.
Contact Dr. Baird:
dabaird@anderson.edu
Professor of Communication
B.A., Anderson University
M.A., Wheaton College Graduate School
Ph.D., Purdue University
Stefanie Leiter graduated from Anderson University with a B.A. in mass communications and a specialization in public relations. In 2016, she graduated with her Master of Science in Communication from Purdue University and received a graduate certificate in strategic communications in 2015.
In her previous role as director of content strategy and public relations, Stefanie was responsible for leading the content team that manages the AU website, institutional and admissions social media platforms, copy for all communication and marketing deliverables, and outreach materials supporting institutional reputation. In her 12 years in the communication field, she started 14 social media channels for Anderson University and worked through five website redesigns including the responsive AU site redesign in 2016. She served as an adjunct for 2 years before joining full time in the fall of 2017. Stefanie started her PhD in Communication from Regent University in May 2018.
Stefanie is married to Dave and has two young children, Ava and Jackson.
Hear a podcast featuring Stefanie
[soundcloud id='555401940' comments='false' mini='true' height='false']
Contact Professor Leiter:
skleiter@anderson.edu
Assistant Professor of Public Relations
B.A., Anderson University
M.S.C., Purdue University
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