As we gear up for the fall 2010 semester, we’re preparing to roll out an updated curriculum at the Florida A&M University School of Journalism & Graphic Communication.
Some would say this is historic since it’s the first time in more than 20 years that the faculty in the FAMU Divisions of Journalism and Graphic Communication have agreed on a core curriculum. We got some student and alumni input and we welcome more.
Yes, the math adds up so that the Journalism Division meets the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication standards.
We asked what is best for students and will it meet industry needs given the ever changing media landscape? Who knows? Time will tell.
After nearly three years of discussion (and some faculty would argue this discussion has been ongoing for more than 20 years), the revised curriculum is a major step forward because we’re eliminating some silos as well as acknowledging the importance of visual communication and the digital age in the core.
For starters, all incoming students in the FAMU SJGC must take a school-wide core of 21 credit hours of basics such as Introduction to Mass Media (3), Language Skills for Media Professionals (3), Principles of Graphic Design (3), Basic Design and Web Applications (3), Photo Foundations (3), Communication Law (3), Media Ethics (2), Professional Development (1) and a Senior Capstone Colloquium (1).
We’ve witnessed first-hand the decline in traditional newspaper jobs as well as a steep decline in print majors. Three journalism tracks – broadcast, newspaper and magazine production – have been consolidated into a news reporting track. All students majoring in journalism and public relations will be required to take three reporting and writing classes, which will include multimedia reporting, as well as an internship. Yes, writing is fundamental to what we do.
I’m an advocate for internships and Motown’s Smokey Robinson’s “Shop Around” song. Yes, shop around before you wed the industry. Internships give you an opportunity to check out a company and a company to check out you. Make sure it’s a good fit.
In the 21st century, no journalism or communication student should graduate without some multimedia experience and working in student media. Student Media Practicum is now required in the News Reporting Track as well as Broadcast Announcing, Leadership/Media Management and TV News.
At a recent orientation session, one parent asked will there be any newspaper jobs in the future? Newspapers aren’t just on paper. Online operations are part of their brand extensions and most are seeking ways to monetize mobile apps. I explained that communications is the third fastest growing industry in the nation with more than $800 billion in revenue, according to the Veronis Suhler Stevenson Communications Industry Forecast.
In a word, the media business is competitive. Newspaper folks or broadcasters can’t afford to be one-trick ponies. There will be mojos, search engine optimization specialists, social media marketers and certainly other job titles yet to be determined, but there will always be a need for folks with solid journalism skills who will read, write, edit, shoot and compete on multiple platforms.
Students, alumni and other media lovers, what is your take on the curriculum changes?
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As a student who just recently entered the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication I feel that this new change in curriculum is a great idea. The world and technology around us is always changing and as college professors, I believe that it is their duty as educators to make sure that the students here are better prepared for the working world in which we hope to be apart of. With these new classes we have the opportunity and the privilege to obtain more knowledge that will in turn make us better journalists. After all that is what we are here to become and as students we should gratefully accept and pursue all opportunities that come to us.
ReplyDeleteI think the change is great! All students need to keep an open mind to the multi-media world. Times are changing, students need to be prepared for the "Real World". "The only constant thing in life is change". Therefore, the media world will continue to change and we need to stay current.
ReplyDeleteUpdating the curriculum is a great idea for the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication. The field of journalism is very competitive and it is recommended that students be educated in all aspects of media. Broaden the curriculum will better students on finding future jobs because of their high level of experience in their career. Setting high standards will make students want to reach even higher to obtain their career goal. The change is good because the world of technology is forever changing.
ReplyDeleteAs a student completing a Co-op program at a different university, I think that the new curriculum for FAMU SJGC is fantastic! I believe that the new curriculum will definitely put all students completing their degree at a higher standard than their colleagues.
ReplyDeleteAs Professor Bland stated, students need to be proficient in all types of media, not just newspaper or just radio.
I am a big supporter of this new curriculum! The professors in the SJGC are really getting their students prepared for the real world. I also love how each student needs to have at least ten clips of their published work, in order to graduate! That requirement has only been established to make students more desirable to employers.
I am only completing a minor degree in the SJGC, but I plan to complete the capstone requirements as well. I am very grateful that FSU and FAM have also teamed together to provide this opportunity to FSU students!
Chelsi McDonald
I wholeheartedly agree with the changes to the new curriculum. I believe it is important to stress the importance of being knowledgeable in all areas of journalism whether it is print, television, radio, or the internet. By requiring students to have experience in all the courses listed able, they will be able to comfortably compete against others in the professional business world, landing big time jobs and proudly informing their employers and co-workers their training came from Florida A&M's School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.
ReplyDeleteI think this curriculum change is good. The communication world is very competitive and forever evolving that you never know what you will end up doing. So it is a good idea to have experience in every area to make you better qualified, and certified to work in more than just one area. Also requiring internships is good because you get to see if the job you thought you wanted to do is really for you, instead of getting out in the real world and realizing it's not.
ReplyDeleteIn the new 2010 Journalism & Graphic Communication curriculum I feel the changes are necessary and a great idea. I agree with the new changes because it would help us Journalism and Graphic Communication students be ready for this industry where we need to have hands on experience in every field. It’s also good because a lot of student feel that just because your major is PR, or broadcast doesn't mean that you don’t need to know about the other aspects of journalism or graphics communications. This world is changing and having the tools to do a little bit of everything would be beneficial to us in the future, so we could succeed.
ReplyDeleteKierra King
I believe that this new curriculum will indeed help students adapt in the ever so changing world of media. The tools that are going to be given to these fortunate students are one that I wish was afforded to me. I am some what jealous if you would say on the fact that I am not able to take up this magnificent opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI think that the changes are long overdue. I wish that these changes were made sooner so that I could have participated. The changes will help in coming students to perform better in the changing media landscape.
ReplyDeleteLeonie Louis
I think that the newly changes are great! The cirriculum is giving each student the opportunity to learn and understand each aspect of the media industry. The changes that have been made are only to better each student that wants to achieve greatness in this competitive industry.
ReplyDeleteRefreshing and revising the curriculum for the school of journalism and graphic communication is something that was long coming, given the ever changing media that we see today. It is extremely important for students to have the opportunity to evolve as the media is evolving. Do I think that a student should be held from graduating because they have not accomplished an internship? Not necessarily, nonetheless I welcome and support the idea of an upgraded curriculum.
ReplyDeleteThe curriculum change seems like a good idea. I am all about anything that will prepare me for the real world because a person can never know too much. Having to have Basic Design Princples is a great because it gets students started on learning how to animate and design to get their point across to others.
ReplyDeleteI think that what The FAMU School of Journalism & Graphic Communication is doing is excellent. It is obvious they aren't a program who just wants to graduate students but is also concerned about their students education. With a change in curriculum the school will better it's current and incoming students chances of receiving internships in this tough economy, which will allow more students from the department to gain jobs. Ultimately this change will benefit the students and thats what matters most.
ReplyDeleteThe new curriculum for the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication is very helpful. Students coming into the school will be well rounded in all areas of Journalism and Graphic Design. When students take these courses they will learn the different aspects of the industry and they can decided which area is better for them and where they would like to go and what they would like to do. The new curriculum allows students to apply themselves in more than one area in today's advancing society.
ReplyDelete--JaLesa C. Rolle
I believe that a fresh change to the curriculum was a needed. It has been said on numerous occasions that journalism students come in one door and graphic communication students come in another. This will be a great way for the students to become familiar with one another. This change will also help us student prepare for the media world, that is changing as much as technology is. The one thing that sticks out is the add of an internship class, requiring all students to take an internship is another way to prepare students. In all, the new curriculum is just what the school needed.
ReplyDeleteThe updated curriculum is great! It is a nice idea for each major to learn outside its field. Journalism and Public Relations students need to be versatile in this industry, and do it all.
ReplyDeleteAs a second year Broadcast and Journalism major, I believe that the courses added to the curriculum are a good idea because they will expose the students to all aspects of the media business. The new curriculum will make us more marketable and we will have the necessary knowledge and skills to compete with students outside of FAMU. We wlll have skills in a variety of different areas which will make us better writers, speakers, and thinkers.
ReplyDelete-Janay Cook
When I shadowed at Radio One Atlanta in March of this year (before I embarked on my summer internship experience there), FAMU alumna and Hot 107.9 midday personality Maria More told me to learn web design. I never thought about how important the digital landscape is until that moment. I often wondered how I would get such experience though. Therefore, I applaud this new curriculum. The School of Journalism & Graphic Communication seems to have every base covered. There is no way to truly anticipate the future changes in media. For now though, I believe that students at this school are set.
ReplyDeleteThe new curriculum changes will give students the opportunity to be well rounded. If the student masters every aspect of the media business then they will shine against competition. A company is more likely to hire someone who knows all the tricks versus one-trick ponies. Over all, it is a great decision.
ReplyDeleteGrowth is vital, I beleive the new curriculum changes will definitely give the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication a fresh "new beginning." You can tell that the changes were made with the students in mind so theuy can reach their optimal success once they graduate. Internships, being diverse in all aspects of multimedia, merging classes with the Graphics department are all great ideas and I am sure professors will see the benefit of the changes rapidly.
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