Journalism Integrative Concentration

The integrative concentration consists of a minimum of 5 full courses (or the equivalent), 1 co-curricular course, 1 experiential component, and a learning portfolio.

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the integrative concentration.

Oberlin has long produced outstanding journalists, defined broadly as individuals who communicate with a non-specialized audience in non-fiction genres about current matters. These genres include, among others, newspaper or magazine reporting, creative nonfiction, science communication, arts reviewing, editing, writing book-length nonfiction accounts, audio production, and documentary filmmaking.

The journalism integrative concentration at Oberlin College and Conservatory offers students pathways to careers in journalism by combining the broad preparation that a liberal arts college provides with Oberlin’s culture of engagement with the world.

Visit the concentration’s web page for more information.

Summary of Requirements

One Foundational Course
Three Journalism-Related Courses
One Journalism Elective Course
WRCP 107 - Practicum in Journalism
One Experiential Component
Learning Portfolio

Note(s) on Requirements

If a student wishes to count a course that is not listed below toward the concentration, they can petition the concentration chair(s) for approval to apply the completed or in-progress course toward their concentration.
In planning their schedules, students should be aware that some of the courses listed below have prerequisites.

Declaring the Integrative Concentration

Students wishing to complete the journalism integrative concentration should consult with a member of the concentration advisory group and complete the integrative concentration declaration/change form. The form requires the signature of one of the concentration co-chairs.

Co-Chairs
Jan Cooper (Writing and Communication, English)
Geoffrey Pingree (Cinema Studies, English)

See the full list of Journalism Integrative Concentration Advisory Group members.

Course of Study

Students may declare the integrative concentration at any point in their college career but are encouraged to do so no later than the middle of their junior year.

Detailed Integrative Concentration Requirements

Journalism Integrative Concentration Course Lists

Students must take one additional course from either the Foundational or Journalism-Related course lists.

Experiential Component

Return to the summary of requirements.

The experiential component may be fulfilled through work done on- or off-campus. On-campus work may include working as a writer for an academic or administrative department or as an editor for a campus publication not for WRCP 107 credit. Off-campus work may be done in the United States or abroad in a wide variety of settings (e.g., a news organization in print, radio, television, or online news; a communications office in another work environment such as a research hospital; or the public relations office of a non-profit organization). Off-campus opportunities may be identified by drawing from connections to alumni working in journalism and communication with the help of Career Exploration and Development, especially through career communities such as Arts and Creative Professions. Either on- or off-campus work may take the shape of a Winter Term project.

Learning Portfolio

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Students assemble a learning portfolio consisting of a clip file of journalistic work and a written reflection (800-1000 words) that looks back on the work done for the concentration and considers any next steps post-graduation. The portfolio, which should be started when students declare the concentration, will be the basis for assessment and serve as a curated sample of work for graduate school or prospective employers.

Journalism Integrative Concentration Advisory Group

Jan Cooper (Writing and Communication, English), co-chair
Geoff Pingree (Cinema Studies, English), co-chair

Sebastiaan Faber (Hispanic Studies)