E-Media Tidbits recently received this query from Dow Smith, associate professor of journalism at Siena College (Loudonville, N.Y.). He’s given his permission to publish his question.
Smith writes, “After 13 years as a ‘broadcast’ journalism professor, I retired and am now setting up a program at Siena College near Albany. …Here I can just start from scratch. Siena has only one print journalism course so it might be a little easier [than overhauling a more extensive program].
“We are looking at an interdisciplinary major that would combine courses from English (journalism), creative arts (graphic design) computer science (multimedia), marketing and management (e-commerce), sociology (TV and popular culture), and four ‘broadcast journalism’ courses I’m teaching.
“Do you or your readers have any experience or knowledge of such an approach? Are there any schools taking this interdisciplinary approach?”
Tidbits contributors Michelle Ferrier (a former assistant professor of mass communications at Emory & Henry College and a former research associate in digital media at the University of Central Florida) and Kim Pearson (associate professor in journalism and interactive multimedia at The College of New Jersey) offer this perspective:
“Some schools are taking this interdisciplinary approach. Sometimes it may be difficult to see because of course cross-listings, generic course titles and descriptions, and other academic structures that may hide a course’s true nature. Only at the competencies level can you truly see what students are learning in any particular class. And that information is not as transparent as it should be in higher education.
“Storytelling — visual, textual, and interactive — is at the core of a ‘journalism’ curriculum. Also, it’s important to include a broad understanding of the publishing and emerging social media models in the context of civic engagement.
“However, the resulting curriculum may not be a journalism ‘major’ as has been traditionally defined — where we produce broadcasters, print journalists and the like. But we could allow our students much more self-direction in the major. This reflects how our audiences create and extract their own meaning from our content.
“Yes, business knowledge (including entrepreneurial skills and marketing) would be included in this mix. Another component might infuse ‘engagement skills’ such as building communities, generating conversations and action whether online, in print or in person. But, ultimately, our students would be in a better position to lead innovation in and outside the industry.”
What do you think? Please comment below with your experience or views.
