University looks to revamp journalism curriculum

Eric Hummer Jr.

UW-Whitewater is considering making changes to the journalism curriculum to better prepare students for future careers in the media.

Many universities are changing their curriculums in order to help students find jobs after school.

Kansas University began changing their curriculum in 1997. The result was an innovative, converged, cross-platform and cross-disciplinary program. Kansas didn't get rid of the old curriculum but instead kept the core classes to teach students writing, reporting and editing techniques.

UW-Whitewater has set up a committee to adjust the curriculum and begin looking at other universities curriculums, such as that of Kansas'. The subject of a convergence curriculum was proposed by Sam Martino, a journalism instructor at the university.

Several other journalists and teachers are on the committee including Kyle Geissler and James Kates. Each person on the committee is doing different things to reach a common goal. Geissler is in charge of radio knowledge, Kates is talking to other universities and Peter Conover, communications professor is helping with television.

Martino, who teaches several classes at UW-Whitewater, said immediate change is needed.

"The era of pen and paper journalism is over," Martino said. "Students will need to learn how to report with their legs, video and sound to become an accomplished journalist."

Kates, who is a copy editor for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and a UW-Whitewater assistant professor, has seen first-hand how fast the industry is moving.

"I think it's very exciting," Kates said. "We've stressed in the committee, we're going to be inventing this as we go along because the program could change as media changes."

Geissler, who works in Janesville as a radio reporter and is also a UW-Whitewater professor, thinks it is a good idea and only sees one negative aspect.

"We are a little behind and this new curriculum will take time," Geissler said.

The reason is could take so long to enact is because the curriculum needs to be well thought out for the long term. It also needs to be approved by the university.

The committee had placed a tentative goal of fall 2008 or spring 2009 to have the curriculum in place.