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BA(Hons) Environmental Studies/Journalism

Western Washington University, United States
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Course Overview

This interdisciplinary program combines the study of environmental science, policy, and management with the practice of journalism. Students will learn how to communicate complex environmental issues to diverse audiences through various media channels. The program prepares students for careers in environmental journalism, communication, and policy-making, as well as for further graduate studies.

Additional Information

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues and the skills to communicate them effectively to various audiences. Students will have opportunities to work on real-world projects and gain practical experience through internships and other experiential learning opportunities.

Experience the Best of Environmental Studies and Journalism at Western Washington University

Western Washington University is a leader in environmental studies and journalism, with a strong reputation for interdisciplinary research and teaching. The university's location in the Pacific Northwest provides students with access to diverse ecosystems and abundant opportunities for fieldwork and experiential learning.

Why You Should Study This Course

Environmental Journalism offers the opportunity to explore the intersection between the natural world and politics, science, economics and culture. It combines rigorous research with creative storytelling. It provides the tools necessary to communicate to the public about vital issues, at a time when the goals of journalism are more important than ever: uncovering the facts, holding the powerful accountable and telling the stories of people and issues that are hidden, misunderstood or marginalized.

Why Consider an Environmental Studies/Journalism Major?

If you’re passionate about environmental issues and want to communicate with the public about them, environmental journalism is a powerful way to do that. You will learn skills needed to research complex issues that intersect with science, politics, economics, recreation, culture and society. You will also learn how to weave this information into timely stories that engage and inform the public through words and images.

General Eligibility

Academic Requirements for freshman students:

The admission requirements for undergraduate courses are given as follows:

  • Completed application form

  • Academic Transcripts(certified english translations if necessary)

  • Relevant High school degree/Grade Report/Certificates

  • SAT or ACT Scores (Optional)

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.0

  • Personal Statement or essay

  • One letter of recommendation

  • List of extracurricular activities(if any)

  • Portfolio

What You'll Study

1 Culminating Courses - Capstone and Experiential

Environmental Journalism majors are encouraged to select ENVS 417 as their capstone.

❑ One course from:

ENVS 410 - Agroecology and Resilient Communities Credits: 4

ENVS 417 - Science, Management and Outreach of Contaminated Sites Credits: 3

ENVS 429 - Pyrogeography Credits: 4

ENVS 430 - Borderlands: Resource Management Credits: 4

or

C/AM 430 - Borderlands: Resource Management Credits: 4

ENVS 466 - Greening Business Applications Credits: 5

or

MGMT 466 - Greening Business Applications Credits: 5

ENVS 474 - Planning for Sustainable Communities Credits: 4

or

UEPP 474 - Planning for Sustainable Communities Credits: 4

ENVS 491 - Environmental Communication Credits: 5

ENVS 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment Credits: 5

or

ESCI 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment Credits: 5

ENVS 496 - Environmental Stewardship Credits: 5

ESCI 454 - Science, Management and Outreach of Contaminated Sites Credits: 4

ESCI 470 - Ecological Restoration Credits: 5

ESCI 490 - Environmental Risk Assessment Credits: 4

ESCI 491 - Oceanography of the Salish Sea Credits: 4

ESCI 494 - Marine Conservation Credits: 5

Or other ENVS, ESCI or UEPP approved course with a capstone (CPST) attribute.

2 Environmental Journalism Depth and Specialization

❑ The following courses are pre-approved. Others across campus may fulfill this requirement, under ENVS faculty advisement.

ECON 383 - Environmental Economics Credits: 4

ECON 384 - Energy Economics Credits: 4

ECON 483 - Resource Economics Credits: 4

ENVS 300- and 400-level

ESCI 300- and 400-level

FAIR 300- and 400-level

JOUR 300- and 400-level

PLSC 346 - Politics of Inequality Credits: 5

PLSC 347 - Race, Politics and Public Policy Credits: 5

PLSC 390 - The Politics of Development Credits: 5

PLSC 420 - Environmental Politics Credits: 5

SOC 321 - Demography Credits: 5

3 Environmental Journalism Foundations

MATH 112 or suitable math placement score is necessary for some foundations courses, but higher-level math courses are recommended. Students are strongly encouraged to take chemistry, biology, and MATH 114 as part of their GUR courses to access upper division Environmental Science courses.

❑ ENVS 201 - Understanding Environmental Data and Information Credits: 3

❑ ENVS 203 - Physical Geography Credits: 4

❑ ENVS 303 - Introduction to Environmental Studies I: Human Ecology and Ethics Credits: 5

❑ ENVS 305 - Introduction to Environmental Studies II: History and Policy Credits: 5

❑ One ESCI course, 200-300 level (4-credit minimum)

❑ One upper division natural science course at the 300-400 level under advisement (3 credit minimum)

The one upper-division natural science course can be an ESCI course, additional approved natural science course in ENVS, or can be from any other science department. Students should be aware of prerequisites in other science departments.

❑ ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics Credits: 4

❑ One course from:

ENVS 450 - Science in the Policy Process Credits: 4

ENVS 456 - Governing Innovation, Technology, and the Future Credits: 5

4 Environmental Journalism Major Core Courses

❑ ENVS 412 - Environmental Journalism Credits: 4

❑ ENVS 413 - The Planet Staff Credits: 4

❑ JOUR 190 - Introduction to Mass Media Credits: 5

❑ JOUR 207 - Newswriting Credits: 4 (Completed with a grade of B- or better)

❑ JOUR 307 - Reporting Credits: 5

❑ JOUR 309 - Editing Credits: 5

❑ JOUR 350 - Mass Media Law Credits: 5

❑ JOUR 351 - Mass Media Ethics Credits: 4

❑ JOUR 430 - Field Internship Credits: 6

❑ JOUR 450 - Advanced Reporting Credits: 5

❑ JOUR 480 - Senior Seminar Credits: 5

❑ One course from:

JOUR 214 - The Front Staff Credits: 4

JOUR 314 - The Front Staff Credits: 4

JOUR 414 - The Front Staff Credits: 4

Topic areas

❑ Three courses from the following topic areas, with no more than one course in any topic area:

Environmental Reporting

ENVS 413 - The Planet Staff Credits: 4

ENVS 414 - Editing the Planet Credits: 5

Magazine

JOUR 321 - Klipsun Staff Credits: 4

JOUR 421 - Klipsun Staff Credits: 4

Newspaper

JOUR 214 - The Front Staff Credits: 4

JOUR 314 - The Front Staff Credits: 4

JOUR 414 - The Front Staff Credits: 4

Visual Journalism/Public Relations

JOUR 305 - Photojournalism Credits: 4

JOUR 330 - Principles of Public Relations Credits: 4

JOUR 346 - Introduction to Visual Journalism Credits: 5

JOUR 370 - Digital Media in Journalism Credits: 5

JOUR 380 - Advanced Public Relations Writing and Techniques Credits: 5

Editing

ENVS 414 - Editing the Planet Credits: 5

JOUR 415 - The Front Editorship Credits: 5

JOUR 422 - Klipsun Editorship Credits: 5

Language Requirement

  • IELTS6.5
  • TOEFL93
  • PTE65
  • Duolingo89

Minimun IELTS Score 6.5 overall.

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