By Shira Kramer, Senior Opinions Editor and Social Media Manager
“I’m a journalism major,” I said timidly.
“Oh…that’s…different,” they all reply. What do you mean it’s “different?” Is it different because it’s not biology or psychology? Is it different because it isn’t the typical frum girl major? I know it sounds ridiculous but sadly, I’ve heard all of those things before.
As a transfer student from a world-renowned journalism school, I didn’t know what to expect from the journalism department at Stern. In fact, I didn’t even know if it existed. In order to transfer to a school that I knew I would be happier at, I was willing to forfeit a major that I loved dearly.
Luckily, I quickly learned that my dreams of journalism at Stern would continue.
After a freshman year filled with exciting journalism class, I came to Stern excited to learn more. Looking at the course catalog, I breathed a sigh of relief as I skimmed the journalism course offerings.
Going into my registration advising appointment, I was motivated to learn. So, when my advisor told me I had to register for English 1100 (more commonly known as English 101), my shoulders tensed. Most YU students are familiar with the school’s strict AP credit policy. However, not only did I receive a high AP English score, but I also transferred with previous journalism credit. Why did I need to go back to basics?
Fortunately, English 1100 proved to be a fun, chill class. Professor Charlotte Fiehn taught the basics in the most engaging way. Throughout the semester, I reintroduced myself to classic literature and creative writing.
Technically speaking, the Stern journalism major is really an English major with a concentration in media studies. After you narrow down your concentration to media studies, you can then specialize even further with a concentration within a concentration called journalism.
This semester, I registered for Feature Writing. The professor, Jason Gewirtz, works as the Vice President of news at CNBC during the day. Then, before returning home to his family, Gewirtz stops by 215 Lexington to enlighten Stern students about journalism.
Currently, he is the only journalism professor. Therefore, only one true journalism course is offered each semester. His class is taught at night which can be seen as a pain for students after a long day of classes. However, aside from the luxury of a once a week class, Gewirtz’s students have too much respect for him to care about the late hour.
No, the Stern journalism major is not part of a Pulitzer prize winning program. Regardless of accolades, when the ten of us get together for class on Monday nights, the program has never felt more significant.