I talked a little bit about the journalism curriculum before, and how they offer little room for creativity. I will continue to complain about that, because I just registered for classes like a week ago, and while I don't have many classes left to take, it still bothers me.
For English, there are tons of options--different types of literature classes, theory studies, and in depth analysis of authors. I love those classes, I feel like I can actually see myself taking them, WANTING to take them.
For journalism, I have 2 required classes left to take and I am dreading them. Graphics is VERY intimidating, and I cannot imagine taking a reporting II class where I have to write about things that I am not interested in, to teachers who, from what I hear, are very set in their own ways being right.
It is very nerve wracking because I will never be a news reporter. I keep up with NYtimes and the Chicago Tribune online, but I don't read everything. I glance and skim, but ask me to keep up with People and that is something I can do. It is something that interests me, and while it is very tabloid-esque, it is what I like.
We only offer one course in Magazine writing, which other schools offer an entire major focused on that field. It is just very frustrating to me that we all have to fit into these little molds. Don't get me wrong, great writers have graduated from this curriculum and have gone on to do wonderful things. I just don't think that is in the cards for me, and I think there are other people who feel the same way.
Even editing there is only one class. I am a grammar freak, I might not be the best at it, but I correct people like it is my job. I would love to learn more about it, but with one class that lasts one semester, how are we expected to master the craft?
I feel like our education barely even scratches the surface of everything I want to know.
and.. rant over.
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5 comments:
I definitely know where you are coming from, and have had many rants of my own. I am taking Reporting 2 and Graphics and Design next semester (something to add to the rant--why do all of our classes have to be like 4 hours long?!?) and am DREADING them so much. I work for a small paper, and I learn SO much more from that than the stupid beats in the reporting classes. I know that we have to learn that stuff, but I know that I felt grilled and like I wasn't good enough in my Reporting 1 class--how is Reporting 2 going to feel? I realize criticism is part of the job, but I don't really intend on being in some intense newsroom in a big city or anything ever. And if I am, at least I'll be getting paid for it.
I really wanted to take Magazine writing, and that wouldn't fit into my schedule.
And speaking of literature classes, I have to go an extra semester to graduate because I've squeezed one in every semester here. I adore them.
Journalism is a creative field--we should definitely have more creativity to our course work.
I have to disagree. I don't think that magazines should be a major.
I think journalism should be a general, broad major that--aside from a few reporting classes--should be self directed. Everyone should be able to take online, broadcast, newspaper and magazine courses rather than being tracked. That way, people graduating would be more competitive job applicants.
I agree that the journalism department should offer more classes. Not for the sake of having empty holes in my schedule, but rather because all those damn younger James Scholars take my spots. I barely got into Magazine writing this semester (I got lucky and visited SITES the second someone dropped it). But there have been countless times where I couldn't take a class I really wanted to or even needed to because I had to adapt to a lack of spots in my core classes. James Scholars should only register ahead of people in their year, not ahead of the entire university.
Agreed! Nothing bothers me more than getting a bad grade on a current issues quiz. I'm sorry, but just because I am a journalism major does not mean I know everything about everything. I understand that it important for the news industry, but current event quizzes just test whether or not you read the same paper as your professor. I am horrible at politics, but I could write about music. It is disheartening when the curriculum makes you question whether you want to work in journalism or not. The curriculum is not diverse enough and I know too many people who have a lot to say and are very knowledgeable, but hated taking journalism classes so much that they switched to being an English major, or something. Your education should make you excited and want to explore your options, not make you dread going to class.
I think it would be a good idea for the College of Media to consider the future of its students. Reporting I and II are both required, and Magazine Writing is an elective, but from what I've gathered, our knowledge of the former might not be the thing that lands us a job. The curriculum should change with the times, and hopefully it will.
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