This newest track in the Professional Writing Minor gives students the knowledge and skills they need to practice evidence-based journalism in a quickly changing digital environment, at a time when this type of communication is urgently needed in our democracy. Students study and practice writing for both mass and niche audiences using text and visuals on various media platforms.

 

 

Students produce news and feature articles, taking a multimedia approach. The two Capstone courses equip students with knowledge of the following areas:

 

- Journalism in history, law and ethics

- Research, including interviewing (primary) and online sources (secondary)

- Beat reporting and engaging with the community

- Writing, revising and editing

- Accuracy and verification tools

- Visual, digital and social media

- Creating an online portfolio for one’s career

 

 

This track of the minor is of particular benefit to students heading for careers in journalism and public relations. As well, the skills taught in the journalism minor are relevant to web and media work in business, non-profits and government agencies. Priority will be given to students who can demonstrate an interest in journalism.

 

 

*Writing 107J: Journalism and News Writing

*Writing 107M: Magazine Writing for Publication

*Writing 107DJ: Digital Journalism

Writing 107P: Writing for Public Relations

Writing 105M: Multimedia Writing

Writing 105G: Grammar and Stylistics

 

 

Local magazines, newspapers, broadcast outlets and online publications, such as The Independent, Pacific Coast Business Times and NPR all work with UCSB students. Other non-traditional online publications may receive instructor approval. Students have the option of substituting Digital Storytelling in their final quarter instead of an internship.

 

 

Nomi Morris has been teaching journalism courses in the Writing Program since 2017, after many years as a professional journalist and educator. She covered the 1989 opening of the Berlin Wall for the Toronto Star newspaper then spent five years reporting from Berlin for outlets such as the San Francisco Chronicle CBC Radio and TIME Magazine. She was based in Jerusalem in the late 1990s as Middle East Bureau Chief for Knight Ridder Newspapers (now McClatchy). In California she has written for Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. She holds an MFA in nonfiction writing. Before joining UCSB, Morris taught at the USC Annenberg School for Journalism in Los Angeles.

 

For more information about the Journalism minor track, please contact Nomi Morris, nomimorris@writing.ucsb.edu.