Mark 4:21-22

– “And He said to them, Is the lamp brought in to be put under a peck measure, or under a bed, and not on the lamp stand? Things are hidden (temporarily) only as a means to revelation. For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything (temporarily) kept secret except in order that it may be made known.”

At Cornerstone University, all journalism courses provide students with practical opportunities to learn and practice their writing and reporting skills. A significant hands-on opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of reporting is found in the campus newspaper, which is an academic course called JRN 261 The Herald. All students majoring in journalism are required to take this course six semesters; minors must take the course for four semesters.

The Herald, or JRN 261, is taken for academic credit and is an integral part of the academic program for students majoring in Journalism. Students enrolled in JRN 261 are trained to find story ideas, to interview sources and to report stories in an accurate, balanced, compassionate, fair, timely and truthful manner in this student newspaper, overseen by the faculty adviser, which is published on a weekly basis during the fall and spring semesters.

All CU journalism courses taken by students, including The Herald course, are designed to prepare each of the students for entry-level journalism jobs. That requires, of necessity, that they receive experience in handling a variety of different kinds of stories from news to sports to human interest stories.

However, regardless of the type of story assignment, the highest professional and ethical journalistic standards are set for students, who are majoring in journalism, to adopt as their own during and after their college careers.

Freedom of expression and debate, by means of a free and vigorous student newspaper, are a practical component of the academic journalism program at Cornerstone University first and foremost; and secondarily are also essential to the effectiveness of an educational community in a democratic society.

Students majoring in journalism, in one of its three emphases of News-Editorial, Visual Communication or Public Relations, will:

• Learn how to apply unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, both in their personal and professional lives as journalists

• Explore how Christian journalists use their journalistic skills to do justice and practice mercy before God.

• Explore how news organizations are involved with and help impact contemporary culture and politics.

• Publish their stories in the campus newspaper, as well as write for local, regional, and national markets.

• Develop a biblical view of the role of a Christian journalist in society and how these principles apply working for Christian and non-Christian publications.

• Understand the historical foundations of journalism and how they shape contemporary journalistic practice.

• Understand and apply basic principles of print news media layout and design.

• Understand the major principles of media law that apply to print journalism.

• Develop and apply a biblical standard of journalistic ethics and a strong commitment to journalistic integrity.

• Develop the skill, maturity, prudence, and professionalism to assimilate smoothly into a wide variety of news media organizations.

Students will be encouraged to hone these attributes of a good journalist:

• Curiosity – ask what make things happen and why

• Critical thinking – learn when not to take things on face value and when to keep searching for the truth; i.e. when Nathan confronted King David about having Bathsheba’s husband killed in battle or Washington Post’s investigative reporting into Watergate.

• Compassion – remembering not to forget to look for themes of redemption, forgiveness and repentance in various story situations.

When students have completed their Journalism major, they will have:

• Well-honed communication skills

• The ability to continue to develop personally and professionally after graduation

• Entry level skills for employment in a journalism career field

• Industry contacts and experience

• A workable worldview which unifies your life’s work and your Christian faith

• Christ-like attitudes and habits

I invite you to enjoy the coming weeks when the student staff of your campus newspaper, The Herald, will strive to serve our CU community well with news, sports, human interest stories, opinion and photographs about the traditional undergraduate program, Professional & Graduate Studies program, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and the radio communication division of the university, including WCSG, WaYfm and Mission Network News.

Send us your story ideas, your letters to the editor, your guest opinion pieces and, yes, even your constructive criticism.