The Journalism Department offers a professional program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism with emphases in broadcasting, multimedia, news-editorial, and public relations. In addition to Journalism courses, units of general education and electives offer insight into government, natural and social sciences, economics, history, philosophy, the arts and other fields, helping to prepare graduates to meet assignments in the world community. Cal Poly Journalism graduates have reached positions of responsibility and authority nationally in corporations and media outlets, including major publications, networks, and affiliates. Founded in the 1920s, the department has thousands of alumni, with many holding high positions in print, broadcast, and public relations journalism for state and national organizations.
Modified from journalism.calpoly.edu
Senior Projects from 2011
Investigative Reporting and the Meat Industry, Amber Kiwan
The Need for an Interdisciplinary Strategic Plan: How a Strategic Plan Grounded in Sport Marketing Public Relations Can Improve the Success of the Cal Poly Football Team, Kelsey A. Magnusen
Crisis Communication Plan: In Response to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Loss of Government Funding, Tavia Meredith
Public Relations in the California Wine Industry: Improving social media use focusing on Facebook and Twitter, Stephanie Moore
Communication Differences Among International Nonprofit Public Relations, Emily Morelli
Copyright Considerations and Fair Use for Independent Filmmakers, Kyle Neddenriep
Poly Press Association: Eliminating silos through online collaboration, Sarah Parr
The Need for Foreign Correspondents: A Cost Benefit Analysis, Haley Petersen
The Umbrella Effect: The Importance of Converging Student Media at a University, Karlee Prazak
Marketing Dietary Supplements: Public Relations and the Ability of Pharmaceutical Companies to Retain and Develop Consumer Relationships, Nicole Schmidt
YouTube for Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab: Employee Training and Social Media PR/Marketing Through the Use of Video Production, Lauren Margaret Scott
Poly Press Association: Unifying a Department Through the Development of a Student Organization, Jessica Tam
Expanding the Love Out Loud Campaign: The Utility of Online Public Relations Practices for Nonprofit Organizations Focused on Reducing Suicide Among College Students, Kristen Marie Weilenmann
Senior Projects from 2010
Public Relations: The Integration of Social Media Tools with Traditional P.R. Strategies, Michaela Bernard
The Need for Effective Visual Communication: How Website Design Can Further the Success of the Cal Poly Women’s Lacrosse Team, Bonnie J. Burtis
Business Plan-Ryanair in the United States, Tessa Davis
Use of Social Media Tools to Promote a Community Event: Analysis and Recommendations for the Madonna Plaza Farmer's Market, Genevieve Pearl Loggins
Use of Social Media for College Athletic Events: Analysis and Implementation for the Cal Poly Women’s Basketball Program, Krista Lee Scarbrough
A Content Analysis of Consumer Technology Corporate Blogs as Interactive Public Relations Tools, Jayne Scuncio
Senior Projects from 2009
The Sacred and the Secular: Blending Borders to Maximize Product Success, Karen R. DeRoss
Lessons Learned in Public Image Management: An examination of public relations strategies employed by public agencies during Hurricane Katrina, Cassandra Keyse
Political Cartoons and Graphic Novels: A Study of Political and Social Commentary in Comics, Daniella Orihuela-Gruber
Methods for retaining and monetizing local audiences of an online-only news organization, Lauren Rabaino
An Analysis of How the American Cancer Society Uses Social Media, Carla Silvia