Lots of talk these days about journalism programs and how they are (or aren't) adapting to new media environments. I won't bore you again with my take on how YOUR journalism school foresaw coming media changes in launched J202 as a multimedia-rich course waaaaay back in fall 2000.
But much of this talk boils down to technology. I thought this was an interesting take on what else you should demand from you communications education.
Friday, September 25, 2009
What should your J-school give you?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
After readings and speakers just this week, I have kind of come to a clearer understanding of what I should be getting out of my Journalism education. When I tell people at home, especially older family members, that I am majoring in Journalism a look of confusion comes over them with their immediate response something along the lines of, "So what are you going to do when newspapers and magazines aren't around?"
Through internships and work experience I've had this summer, I've really come to understand that its not really the ideas but the medium/channel that is disappearing. I think what people need from their journalism school is not training for a specific medium but adaptable skills that acknowledge a fast paced changing future. More than anything, a journalism school has to acknowledge these changes and adapt to a curriculum that honors a changing society. By taking control of a changing future, journalism schools will have to power to adapt to whatever kinds of new mediums society experiences. Right now, we're just dealing with the tough transition--eventually we can be prepared for future transitions by laying down a more adaptable curriculum that isn't as channel based.
I am excited that the UW-Jschool has had the foresight to integrate the internet and it's emerging media into their curriculum. I can see that I have only tapped the surface in utilizing the broad range of tools this medium offers. My perspective could definitely use some broadening and I can see the Jschool program here is going to do that for me.
When I told people that I wanted to get into the journalism school many said "good luck" and laughed about me finding a job. Even my adviser asked me several times if this is really what i wanted. Don't let negative thoughts get you down! There will always be jobs for writers and journalism students!
Post a Comment