SDSU overhauls journalism program

SDSU modernizes journalism program

The blinding pace of the technological revolution in today’s journalism world has been met head on at San Diego State University’s new School of Journalism and Media Studies, as evidenced by the modernized curriculum and its plans for a “digital lab of the future.”

A model of the learning laboratory was unveiled Nov. 1 at an event held at KPBS TV/FM to celebrate the opening of JMS.

J.W. August (SDSU class of 1982) -- who is managing editor of Channel 10 News, president of the Friends of Journalism and Media Studies, and a member of the San Diego SPJ board -- made the presentation for the best design award.

The alumni group worked closely with professor Kotaro Nakamura’s interior design class to develop the model.

The winning model was chosen by a panel of judges that included several alumni chapter members.

“It was exciting and challenging,” said senior art major Crystal Jenkins. “They asked us to create a concept for a new type of newsroom that incorporates many types of media and could easily be built on the SDSU campus as a working newsroom and media center for the students.”

For their research, the students visited newsrooms and media centers throughout San Diego. They talked to journalists, advertising professionals, and public relations experts to gain a better understanding of what would be needed in the new lab.

Friends of Journalism and Mass Media Studies’ treasurer Gayle Falkenthal ('82,'93) was among the judges.

“Each and every student did a great job listening to us as clients and gave some careful thought as to what the news business is going to be like,” she said. “They're going to have a very bright future if they work with their clients the way they worked with us.”

Diane L. Borden, director of the School of Journalism and Media Studies, told attendees that the digital lab is one of the top priorities.

“The school envisions a true laboratory,” she said. “One where students and professionals will learn together to experiment with the latest digital techniques -- whether they be used to produce news reports, advertising messages, or public relations campaigns.”

Among the estimated 150 people attending the event were alumni, students, faculty, university officials, and local media professionals.

Several distinguished alumni spoke, including Armen Keteyian (class of 1976), chief investigative correspondent for CBS News; George Lewis (class of 1964), a correspondent for NBC News, and MaryLee Sachs (class of 1981), chairman of Hill & Knowlton USA, one of the largest public relations firms in the world.

The School of Journalism & Media Studies, which began official operations on July 1, 2007, is home to undergraduate programs in advertising, journalism, media studies and public relations as well as a master’s program in mass communication and media studies.

Last fall, SDSU students registered to fill more than 2,600 classroom seats offered in 34 JMS courses.

The new school offered 106 course sections, including 20 sections of JMS 200, Mediated Communication in the Information Age.  JMS 200 is a required class for all JMS students and also is a general education foundations course.  It is taught in a large (500-seat) lecture hall twice a week, then broken into 20 small discussion sections every Friday.

The first cadre of JMS graduate teaching associates is leading the discussion sections by using a blended instructional format, which combines face-to-face and online components.