EIU School of Communication and Journalism

Minors

Many students choose to expand their area of study by selecting a minor. The School of Communication & Journalism is directly involved in the following minors:

Advertising

An interdisciplinary program of study designed to enhance students' understanding of the promotion of products and services to various markets. Key components include the critical examination of ad campaigns and strategies and the application of knowledge.  For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Advertising Minor Coordinator, Dr. S.M. Walus at smwalus@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)

Broadcast Meteorology 

This interdisciplinary minor combines the study of weather and climate with classes in radio and television announcing and production. It prepares students to effectively communicate complex weather information to multiple audiences through various media.  For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Broadcast Meteorology Minor Coordinator, Dr. Walus at smwalus@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)

Communication and Cultural Diversity 

This minor examines the ways in which communication constructs our understanding of diversity and difference, how stereotypes and prejudices are maintained and challenged, and how possibilities for inclusion are created. For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Communication and Cultural Diversity Minor Coordinator, Dr. Samantha Szczur at sszczur@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)

Communication Studies

This minor provides students with a well-rounded approach to understanding the role of communication in society. This minor is not available for communication studies majors.  For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Communication Studies Minor Coordinator, Dr. Marita Gronnvoll at mgronnvoll@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)

Health Communication

This interdisciplinary minor offers a combination of communication studies and health studies courses to students planning a career in health professions or public relations. It combines study of the health care industry, public policy and communication strategies. For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Health Communication Minor Coordinator, Dr. Elizabeth Gill at egill@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)

Journalism

This minor introduces students to the skills necessary to practice news writing and editing for multiple platforms.  Students learn how to report breaking news and examine the role news media play in a healthy democracy.  Students learn to think critically, produce creatively, write precisely, process information quickly, interview thoughtfully, manage people, and develop an excellent work ethic.  For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Journalism Minor Coordinator, Dr. Ensung Kim at ekim2@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)

Photojournalism

This 18-hour photojournalism minor, comprised of courses already part of the journalism curriculum taught by tenured faculty, lays a foundation for using the camera to document the world around them and then leads students through advanced classes and finally to a semester-long project. Besides digital and still photography, students will be introduced to basic video and will be able to edit and post this content to the web. Photojournalism skills and principles can be transferred to a variety of occupations as well as to a student's own life story. With the skills students learn and practice in the photojournalism minor, students will be able to help with publication and digital communication for business and work environments or with feature photography that chronicles their world. This minor would be a nice complement to several majors such as public relations, art, and business, as well as attractive to students who enjoy photography as a hobby or entrepreneurial endeavor.  For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Photojournalism Minor Coordinator, Mr. Greg Cooper at gacooper@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)

Public Relations 

An interdisciplinary program designed for students who do not choose public relations as their major but seek additional study of strategic communication.  For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Public Relations Minor Coordinator, Dr. Rashmi Thapaliya at rthapaliya@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)

Radio & Audio Production

A comprehensive, practical overview of all production elements in performing, recording, editing, and circulating sound through media. This minor teaches audio production and voice work for individuals interested in radio, announcing, television production, music recording (field or studio), live sound reinforcement, audio-visual installation, or for creative individuals looking to express themselves through sound.  For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Radio & Audio Production Minor Coordinator, Dr. S.M. Walus at smwalus@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)

Social Media Engagement

The Social Media Engagement minor is comprised of journalism courses that lay a foundation for using social media platforms to research, publish and engage with audiences in numerous contexts. Social Media Engagement skills can be transferred to a variety of occupations, preparing students for rapidly changing online environments. With the skills students learn and practice, they are able to help with the publication of digital communication for work environments and communities throughout the world. For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Social Media Engagement Minor Coordinator, Professor Egg Berry at eberry@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)

Sports Media Relations

This minor provides insights into the roles and duties performed by sports media professionals by offering courses that enable students to examine and practice skills related to the fundamentals of sports media relations, which includes working with the media, athletes and coaches, managing crisis situations, recording statistics, writing game reports, marketing teams, organizing press conferences, and managing game events.  For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Sports Media Relations Minor Coordinator, Dr. Joe Gisondi at jjgisondi@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)

Strategic Social Media Communication Minor

Social media are important strategic communication channels for organizations in almost any sector and industry.  They also afford individuals and advocacy groups the opportunity to reach large audiences and make a difference.  This minor provides an opportunity for students from a variety of majors to gain strategic and ethical social media communication skills along with a basic foundation in public relations.  For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Strategic Social Media Communication Minor Coordinator, Ms. Anna Kochigina at akochigina@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)

Video Production

This minor provides students with the skills and knowledge to create professional or creative video content in a variety of formats. Complementary to any major at the university, this minor teaches the practical knowledge and marketable skills of developing, producing, and editing a variety of video forms and genres. For more information, click on the "Curriculum Guide" below or contact the Video Production Minor Coordinator, Dr. Walus at smwalus@eiu.edu.

* Curriculum Guide, 2024-2025 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2023-2024 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2022-2023 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2021-2022 (pdf)
* Curriculum Guide, 2020-2021 (pdf)