September 17, 2008
Bowling
Green, Ky. - As the distribution of news and information shifts from traditional print and broadcast outlets, Western Kentucky University’s School of Journalism and Broadcasting is making changes to better prepare students for online and multimedia opportunities.
“We’re seeing a transformation in journalism not a revolution,” said Dr. Pam Johnson, director of the School of Journalism and Broadcasting.
The School of Journalism and Broadcasting has proposed creating a certificate in multimedia studies called iMedia. Students would take a technology course, a series of electives outside their major and a capstone course in collaborative journalism.
“I think we’ve hit on something that is going to work for the university,” said Cliff Shaluta, coordinator of the AD+PR program.
At WKU, the question has been “how do we incorporate technology without eroding what we do in our majors,” Shaluta said.
Whether it’s news-editorial, photojournalism, advertising or public relations, “our focus is on creating the best content,” he said.
While the iMedia proposal moves through the University approval process, the School of Journalism and Broadcasting is introducing the concept to students through a series of lectures. The Multimedia Monday series will feature WKU faculty members as well as media professionals discussing multimedia issues, storytelling, the impact of social media and more.
“The students are highly enthusiastic about multimedia,” Dr. Johnson said.
The photojournalism program has offered courses in new media publishing for several years. WKU placed second earlier this year in the Hearst Journalism Awards Program’s first multimedia competition and WKU student Taylor Hayden won a top award in the Online News Association 2008 competition.
The iMedia program, which would begin in fall 2009, will be a select group of students, Shaluta said. Each major will have a multimedia/technology component, but the certificate program will include all areas in the school.
Students will learn writing, video, photo and other technical skills to produce, edit, deliver and promote content, Dr. Johnson said. “Our students are taught to compete against each other, but now it’s more teamwork,” she said.
In the past year, faculty members in the School of Journalism and Broadcasting have been participating in multimedia training sessions which have included visits by national leaders in the field, including WKU graduate and online news pioneer Neil Budde. In recent years, the photojournalism program added courses in new media publishing.
WKU students won’t be the only beneficiaries of the iMedia program. The School of Journalism and Broadcasting will use the program to train journalism professionals, alumni and high school students and teachers.
“In the area of multimedia, as a journalism school, we play a pivotal role,” Dr. Johnson said.
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu and at http://wkunews.wordpress.com/. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
For information, contact Cliff Shaluta at (270) 745-5833.
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