Welcome from the Director
Journalism is a major that prepares its students to work in newspapers, broadcast and online, as well as in other professions, such as public relations, teaching and law. Our students come to us wanting to make a difference in the world, and we strive to prepare them to do just that. We believe that good journalism is essential to democracy, and we are committed to communicating that not only to those students who will work in the field but to all students who as citizens of this society will rely on journalism to understand their government and the world around them. Journalism students take about 75 percent of their coursework in the humanities and social and natural sciences, which further broadens and deepens their intellectual perspective and curiosity.
Our Journalism program has always emphasized the teaching of good writing, as well as a range of other necessary skills. Our courses include writing for print, broadcast and the Web, and our students are introduced to convergence journalism—the notion of telling stories not only through the written word but through podcasts, vodcasts and mash-ups. Still, the hallmark of all of our courses is a focus on clarity of thought and critical inquiry. Students study the foundations of our field--history, law, media criticism and ethics—which are even more essential in this new world of the 24/7 deadline. We also encourage our students to do local, regional and national internships and to be involved with campus media.
Our highly accomplished faculty is committed to teaching. We pride ourselves on our student-centered major: teaching small, interactive classes, knowing our students personally and maintaining relationships with our alumni, who work in newsrooms from the New York Times to the Boston Globe, from NBC to NPR, from Yankee Magazine to stateline.org to the Associated Press. Among our six fulltime faculty members are winners of the Pulitzer Prize, the Freedom Forum Journalism Teacher of the Year Award and two winners of the UMass Distinguished Teaching Award. All of us have been working journalists, and we continue to do both journalism and scholarly research. Our scholarly interests range from literary journalism to new media to community journalism to women in journalism history. We work with more than a dozen adjuncts who include editors, reporters and anchors at regional newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations and new media.
We are a program that is dedicated, innovative and engaged. Check out our Web site and get to know us. Come by for a visit too.
All the best,
Karen List
Director/Professor
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News
JOURNALISM OPEN HOUSE, Thurs., Nov. 12, 4-5:30, Bartlett 108. Hosted by Peer Advisors and Journ faculty. Come eat pizza and talk about Spring 2010 classes!
Watch Prof. Ralph Whitehead and Vice President Joe Biden at a forum on economic challenges facing the middle class, Nov. 5, in Washington, D.C.
Watch the video from Journalism's Career Night, Thurs., Oct. 22.
Brochure & applications for Spring 2010's Journal 391R Travel Writing & Photojournalism in Sicily class are now available in 108 Bartlett and online. Deadline: Nov. 12.
SPRING 2010 STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS. Sicily class, Journ 391R included! For more info and application, go to SBS website. Deadline: Nov. 24.
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM for Spring & Summer 2010. Contact Christina Mills, Journalism alum for info or visit website.
WATCH JACKIE HAI '09, give the Commencement Speech at UMASS Class of 2009 Graduation.
ALUMNI NEWS...
Arlen "AJ" Gerritson, '99 is a founding parter in a Boston-based communications agency called 451 Marketing. The agency's areas of expertise include social media marketing, public relations, and creative development.
Lorraine (Urbanski) Martinelle, '97 is working at a Public Relations Specialist at Worcester Polytechnic.
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