The study and practice of journalism require the acquisition and application of a broad base of knowledge, so journalism majors at URI pursue a course of study that is strongly grounded in the liberal arts. Along with general education and elective courses from other disciplines, the major requires students to explore the concepts and professional practices of contemporary journalism in a diverse society. While studying the social, historical, legal, and ethical contexts of journalism, students also learn how to gather, synthesize, and critically assess factual information and communicate it clearly to a variety of audiences in all forms of media. Journalism “skills courses”-through individual and collaborative assignments-focus on reporting, writing, editing, and producing news for all forms of news media: print, broadcast, and multi-media. “Conceptual” courses provide students the intellectual foundation and framework to be responsible journalists. And through its general education course offerings, the Department of Journalism provides non-majors a forum for studying the importance of journalism and the role of the mass media in society.