The Minor
The Gallivan Program in Journalism, Ethics, and Democracy offers a minor for students interested in working in print, broadcast, or digital news. To complete the minor, students must complete 15 credit hours in journalism-related courses, plus an internship with a professional news organization. The Gallivan Program combines training in practical skills with the study of social, political, economic, and ethical issues that journalists face, offering students a foundation in the reporting and editing principles that endure in a changing media industry.
Mission
A healthy democracy depends on an informed public making thoughtful judgments about policies that shape the lives of individuals and communities. Journalists must convey accurate, timely information that deepens the public’s understanding of the issues that affect them. From the local to the international level, and across ever-evolving forms of media, the best journalism will always be rooted in dogged, independent reporting. The Gallivan Program focuses on the profession’s highest principles to train journalists who serve the public good.
The journalism minor embeds practical and ethical training specific to the news industry within the broader scope of a liberal arts education. The content-specific knowledge students develop in their major(s), as well as critical thinking and curiosity from engaging with diverse ideas among professors and peers on a variety of subjects, sharpens an aspiring journalist’s worldview. Along with the lessons from journalism courses and student media work, Gallivan Program graduates embark on their careers prepared to succeed in the news industry and make a difference in their communities.
History
Begun in 1997 with a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation the journalism minor is now supported with endowments created by the family of Notre Dame graduate and longtime newspaper publisher John W. Gallivan. His son, the late Mickey Gallivan, led the family’s effort to ensure the journalism program would thrive in perpetuity in their father’s name.
FAQ
- Who is eligible to apply for the Gallivan Program?
- Who teaches the classes offered by the Gallivan Program?
- Can I take journalism courses that count toward the minor while studying abroad?
- How do students get internships?
- Do internships completed before completing Fundamentals of Journalism count toward the Gallivan Program requirement?
- Does the journalism program supervise student media?
- Why prepare for a journalism career at a time when the news business is in such turmoil?
- Who is eligible to apply for the Gallivan Program?
All freshmen and sophomores at Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross, in any major, are eligible to enroll in the minor’s required introductory course, Fundamentals of Journalism, offered in the fall and spring semesters. There is no application process, but seats are limited to ensure a class size that maximizes individualized instruction. After successful completion of Fundamentals, students are eligible to enroll in any other course the program offers to complete the journalism minor’s academic requirements.
- Who teaches the classes offered by the Gallivan Program?
Most classes that count for the journalism minor are taught by professionals with extensive experience in the news media. Many are award-winning reporters and editors who bring a real-world perspective of the newsroom to the Notre Dame classroom.
- Can I take journalism courses that count toward the minor while studying abroad?
Yes, if you have completed Fundamentals of Journalism. One course per semester abroad, for a maximum of three credits per semester, may count toward the journalism program’s requirements. Any course taken abroad for journalism credit must be approved in advance. Submit a course description and/or a syllabus to the director for consideration.
- How do students get internships?
The Gallivan Program funds internships with news organizations around the country, including legacy newspapers, nonprofit startups, and broadcast stations. There is no guarantee that a Gallivan student will be hired for a program-sponsored position. News internship that students seek on their own also may fulfill the program’s requirement, pending departmental approval. Students receive regular notifications about qualifying internships.
- Do internships completed before completing Fundamentals of Journalism count toward the Gallivan Program requirement?
Possibly. Internships done before enrolling at Notre Dame do not count, but a position during freshman or sophomore year before taking Fundamentals of Journalism will be considered pending a review of the student’s work and the evaluation of an internship supervisor.
- Does the journalism program supervise student media?
No. All student media organizations at Notre Dame operate independently of the Gallivan Program. While many student journalists are part of the program, and coursework sometimes appears in campus news outlets, the program values their independence and has no oversight on or input into editorial decisions.
- Why prepare for a journalism career at a time when the news business is in such turmoil?
There will always be a need for the clear, fair presentation of facts and analysis, regardless of the medium delivering news and opinion. Change is a hallmark of this time, and the Gallivan Program curriculum adapts to ensure students receive the best preparation possible for a career in news. Courses also emphasize the journalism ethics and principles that apply across all forms of media and must be the foundation of any work done in the industry. In addition, classes offered by the Gallivan Program help students better understand how the news is gathered and reported, which any citizen should know to be a discerning consumer of information.