Media Innovation Concentration
Media innovation exists at the intersection of journalism, technology and business. In this concentration, you will learn an audience-centered approach to solving news and information problems from inside an existing newsroom or as a media startup founder.
The curriculum emphasizes human-centered design, which starts with listening to community members to identify problems in need of creative innovation. Solutions often include new storytelling platforms, product management systems and emerging tech tools. Mustang News and KCPR, Cal Poly's student-run media organizations, serve as a testing ground, and the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship offers opportunities to bring entrepreneurial projects from the classroom to the real world.
Social media and artificial intelligence have introduced exciting opportunities for innovation. They have also disrupted traditional business models and damaged public trust. This concentration positions you to navigate this era skillfully and ethically as you shape the journalism ecosystem for a new generation of news producers and consumers.
Where You Could Work
- Data visualization and interactive storytelling teams
- Digital product and audience teams inside newsrooms
- News analytics, growth and audience development
- Independent newsletters, podcasts and creator media
- Media startups and journalism nonprofits
- Technology companies working on content and publishing
- Marketing technology and content strategy
- Foundations and organizations funding local news
Job Titles
- Interactive or visual storyteller
- Founder of an independent media venture
- Innovation or product lead in a newsroom
- Audience or engagement editor
- Digital product manager
- Data journalist
- News analytics specialist
- Newsletter or podcast producer
- Content designer
- Growth or audience development manager
Concentration Courses
The media innovation concentration is five courses. Three courses are set, and two of the five slots let you choose between a pair.
Required Courses
JOUR 3350 Data Journalism (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: JOUR 285 or JOUR 2285; and one of the following: STAT 130, STAT 217, STAT 218, STAT 251, STAT 1000, STAT 1110, STAT 1210, or STAT 1510.
Introduction to the techniques of finding stories in data sets and presenting them visually via interactive online displays. Emphasis on adapting emerging tools for digital storytelling. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 350.
JOUR 3385 Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Recommended: One of the following: BUS 310, BUS 3310, JOUR 228, or JOUR 2228.
Innovation and entrepreneurship in journalism. Human-centered design. Business plan development. Designing content to reach and engage an audience. Identifying opportunities to create sustainable journalistic enterprises for real-world application in Cal Poly's student-run media organizations. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 385.
JOUR 4462 Senior Project: Media Practicum (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Senior standing; and one of the following: JOUR 352, JOUR 353, JOUR 3352, or JOUR 3353.
Capstone experience that applies principles and tools of print, broadcast and digital journalism to tell engaging stories across multiple platforms. Emphasis on integrating text, video, audio, graphics, search engine optimization and social networking to produce content for digital publication. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 462.
Choose One: Social Media or Digital Journalism
JOUR 3345 Social Media for Strategic Communication (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2020-26 catalogs).
Exploration of emerging technologies and media that influence strategic communication, including public relations and advertising practices. Knowledge, insight and analytical skills necessary to create, evaluate, and execute social media campaigns. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 3 lectures. Formerly JOUR 345.
JOUR 3310 Advanced Digital Journalism (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: JOUR 285 or JOUR 2285.
Apply the theories and applications of digital journalism to the development and publication of innovative digital content. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 410.
Choose One: News or Broadcast Practicum
JOUR 3352 Advanced News Reporting Practicum (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: JOUR 334 or JOUR 3334.
Reporting practicum for the print and digital editions of Mustang News. Repeatable up to 6 units. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 352.
JOUR 3353 Advanced Broadcast Journalism Practicum (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: One of the following: JOUR 303, JOUR 333, JOUR 3303, or JOUR 3333.
Experience leading to advanced skills in concepts and technologies associated with live television and radio newscast production. Field and practicum experiences in news gathering, videography, audio production, studio operation, electronic graphics, broadcast production software, and editing. Emphasis on news producing, reporting and announcing skills. Repeatable up to 6 units. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 353.