Writ 152B: Inside UCSB’s Capstone for Future Journalists
By Faith Martin
Pioneers of Excellence
Professor Chajdas - Writ 152B's Lead Instructor
For students on the journalism track of UC Santa Barbara’s Professional Writing Minor, Writ 152B—Multiplatform Journalism—is more than a capstone course. It’s an immersive, real-world experience that challenges students to develop and publish meaningful journalistic work while collaborating on professional-caliber student publications.
Led by Professor Tymoteusz Chajdas, Writ 152B is the second half of a two-quarter sequence that begins with Writ 152A. While the first course builds foundational skills in reporting, interviewing, and writing, 152B demands application. Students split into teams and launch their own student-run publications, developing everything from branding and voice to story coverage, layout, and multimedia.
“The goal,” Chajdas said early in the quarter, “is to have students leave this course with clips they’re proud of, skills they’ve refined, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a journalist.”
The class is intimate—around 30 students—which allows for a tight-knit, collaborative environment. Over ten weeks, students grow into editors, writers, photographers, social media coordinators, and web designers. In addition to managing their team’s publication, students create individual long-form multimedia features, incorporating narrative and visual storytelling elements (photos, videos, audio, and data visualization), which are showcased on their own professional portfolio websites.
Professor Morris - Director of the Journalism track; Writ 152A's - Advanced Beat Reporting - Lead Instructor
The Student-Run Publications
Each team develops its own distinct identity and editorial mission, resulting in a diverse range of publications that highlight the creative range of the cohort.
The Golden Hour (https://thegoldenhoursb.substack.com) is a Substack-based publication with a relaxed, introspective tone. Featuring personal essays, student reflections, and photo diaries, The Golden Hour captures the small moments of UCSB life—from campus coffee shop culture to thoughtful profiles. Its clean design and warm aesthetic mirror its name, offering a digital space for storytelling that feels both nostalgic and current.
Beachside Bulletin (https://beachsidebulletin.wixsite.com/2025) takes a community-first approach, spotlighting life in Isla Vista and Santa Barbara. With a newsier tone, this site is packed with student profiles, local business features, and timely pieces on housing, events, and sustainability. Its goal is to inform and engage the student body while also providing a platform for underrepresented voices.
SB Coast & Culture (https://sbcoastandculture.wixsite.com/sb-coast-and-culture) lives up to its name, curating content that centers Santa Barbara’s vibrant arts, music, and food scenes. From gallery openings to restaurant reviews to concert recaps, this team’s work blends journalism and culture critique. With sharp visuals and in-depth writing, it offers a glossy-magazine feel in a student-powered package.
Tower Talk (https://towertalk.substack.com/) leans into commentary and dialogue, fostering campus conversation around identity, justice, and student politics. It reads like a mashup of op-ed and cultural reflection, pulling from both personal experience and broader social themes. With a strong editorial voice and a focus on meaningful discourse, Tower Talk serves as a thoughtful space for real conversations.
Learning by Doing
What sets Writ 152B apart is its experiential nature. Students are not just turning in assignments—they’re publishing work, interviewing real sources, editing copy, and managing deadlines. It’s demanding, but rewarding.
“The hardest part was probably balancing the roles,” said senior Amanda Marroquin, Editor-in-Chief and Multimedia Editor for SB Coast & Culture. “You’re expected to write, but also edit your peers, plan social media, and help shape the voice of your brand. It was like running a mini newsroom.”
Others found joy in the creative freedom. “For my long-form feature, I was able to experiment with multimedia storytelling in a way I hadn’t before,” said Tia Trinh, Editor-in-Chief for Beachside Bulletin. “I never thought I’d be able to blend those mediums in a class setting.”
Still, many students admitted the most challenging moments came from within the team dynamic. “Group work isn’t always easy,” said Aidan Dobbins, Copy Editor and Multimedia Reporter for Tower Talk. “But learning how to delegate, how to step up when others needed help—that’s what made it feel real.”
The class doesn’t just mimic professional journalism—it embodies it. By the end of the quarter, students walk away with several published stories, a fully built personal portfolio website, and first-hand experience with the highs and lows of a newsroom.
Shelby Appice (above) and Amanda Marroquin (below) share their team's vision for their publications.
Tia Trinh reflects on what she hopes to give prospective students as a graduating senior.
A Capstone That Matters
In a time when journalism is rapidly evolving and trust in media is frequently contested, Writ 152B aims to do more than teach reporting—it empowers students to find their voice, understand their responsibilities, and connect with the communities they cover.
Whether it’s through hyperlocal coverage in Beachside Bulletin or artistic expression in The Golden Hour, students discover the many forms journalism can take—and where they fit within that ecosystem.
For the Professional Writing Minor’s journalism track, Writ 152B is the culminating experience: part portfolio builder, part confidence booster, part reality check.
And for the students who complete it, the course offers not just clips, but clarity.
“More than anything,” Tia said, “this class showed me I could actually do this.”