Bilingual Journalism
What is Bilingual Journalism?
The Bilingual Journalism is an interdisciplinary program that addresses the demand for competent professionals who can function effectively in print and electronic media serving the growing Hispanic population in the United States. The Bilingual Journalism curriculum will prepare students to work in Spanish language as well as in English language media. Through carefully selected Communication Arts courses, students acquire an understanding of the media environment along with the necessary professional skills. Spanish courses will focus not only on the practice of oral and written skills, but also on the diverse characteristics of Hispanic cultures. The interdisciplinary courses will offer a bilingual approach to the integration of the theory and practice within the discipline.
Why major in Bilingual Journalism at Benedictine University?
When you choose to major in Bilingual Journalism at Benedictine University, you will learn:
- How to use the Spanish language with a higher degree of accuracy, flexibility, and assurance.
- How to analyze texts from a linguistic perspective in order to develop adequate translation skills.
- How to improve listening comprehension skills in Spanish through a variety of “active listening” experiences.
- How to gain a better understanding and appreciation of Hispanic cultures
- How to develop a sense of writing as interaction between writer/reader/purpose/and message, as well as the resources for managing this interaction.
- How to function professionally within the Spanish language media.
How does the program work?
The Bilingual Journalism major provides a foundation in news writing and reporting, television production, and the literature of journalism enhanced by courses in Spanish and Latin American culture, advanced written and oral communication in Spanish, and an internship. The major offers a balanced combination of theoretical and practical learning leading to a sound preparation for professional practice in the Spanish speaking media. You will have opportunities to practice and perfect your language skills inside and outside the classroom with the ultimate goal of acquiring a working proficiency in the language. A very important part of the program, is the thorough grounding in Spanish and Latin American culture, literature, and media related issues. Courses in television production, news writing, reporting, and editing will provide the complementary applied skills. The capstone experience will be an internship in a television or radio station, a newspaper, or a magazine serving the Spanish speaking population in the Chicago area.
What careers are open to Bilingual Journalism majors?
A major in Bilingual Journalism will prepare you for a career in a variety of media. Within the United States, there are currently more than 10 television networks broadcasting in Spanish, along with 130 television stations, 800 commercial radio stations, 550 newspapers, and 352 magazines using Spanish as their main language. In addition, English speaking news outlets are in need of qualified professionals who have an understanding of the Hispanic culture and language. A Bilingual Journalism graduate will be able to handle writing and reporting on issues related to the Hispanic population with competence and professionalism.