2004-06 IUPUI Campus Bulletin

The Mission of the School of Journalism

The mission of the School of Journalism is to explore and to help students explore the institutions, procedures, professional skills, and audiences of journalism and mass communication. Our subject is how the media mediate, and what this process of mediation means for public life in America and around the world. This mission is both an academic and a professional one; it is about learning, teaching, and doing. To this end, we are committed to scholarly research in journalism and mass communication, to liberal education in the arts and sciences, and to professional training in media work.

The Mission of the Baccalaureate Program

The mission of the baccalaureate program of the School of Journalism is to help students learn to read, think, and communicate clearly, critically, and creatively. The school is committed to liberal education in the arts and sciences as well as to professional training in the skills of journalism and mass communication. The school believes that both breadth and depth of learning must characterize the undergraduate experience. To this end, the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree emphasizes:

• development of basic skills in writing, critical thinking, independent learning, mathematics, foreign language, computers, and new information technologies;
• exposure to a broad range of course work in the disciplines of the liberal arts and sciences, both in the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) and in the liberal arts courses within the School of Journalism;
• study of human cultures outside the United States and of selected minority cultures within the United States;
• training in statistical analysis and quantitative and qualitative research methods; training in the professional skills of journalism and mass communication, including reporting, writing, editing, visual communication, new communications technology, and collaborative group work;
• study of the institutions, processes, and effects of mass media in society;
• study in depth of a field or discipline in the arts and sciences, other than journalism and mass communications;
• preparation for a lifetime of learning.

Because its mission coincides with the philosophy and goals of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), the school seeks accreditation every six years from this national body. ACEJMC accredited the school most recently in 1996.

A History of the School of Journalism at Bloomington and Indianapolis

Indiana University, established in 1820 as a tiny seminary in Bloomington, eventually became one of the first state universities to teach journalism. Instruction began in 1893 with three students in the first class. Classes in writing and reporting were taught at intervals during the next few years, supplementing the students’ liberal arts background in English, history, and economics.

A Department of Journalism was established in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1911, although students could not major in journalism until 1932. Professor Joseph Piercy was named as the first head of the department; he served until 1938. In 1911 the Department of Journalism took over administration of the Indiana Daily Student, the campus newspaper established in 1867 as a student-owned enterprise.

Among the prominent alumni of the Piercy years were Don Mellett, ’13, killed in Canton, Ohio, while investigating crime in the city, a campaign that won a Pulitzer Prize; Ernie Pyle, ’23, famed correspondent in World War II; Nelson Poynter, ’24, publisher of the St. Petersburg Times and cofounder of Congressional Quarterly; and Mark Ferree, ’26, who rose to top management in Scripps Howard.

John E. Stempel, an alumnus of the program and a formidable teacher of reporting and editing, served as head of the Department of Journalism from 1938 until his retirement in 1968. It was in the Stempel years that journalism, after moving through various offices on campus, found its home in Ernie Pyle Hall in 1954. Also during his leadership, the High School Journalism Institute began in 1946, directed by Professor Gretchen Kemp. Stempel graduated many distinguished journalists. Frank Bourgholtzer, ’40, had a successful career at NBC News in radio and television. Robert E. Thompson, ’49, became a White House correspondent, and then head of the Hearst Newspapers Washington Bureau. Gene Miller, ’50, won two Pulitzer Prizes for the Miami Herald. Kenneth Olshan, ’54, became head of Wells Rich and Greene Worldwide, one of the country’s top advertising agencies. Dan Thomasson, ’57, directs the Washington Bureau of Scripps Howard Newspapers. George Gill, ’57, is publisher of the Louisville Courier Journal.

The Department of Journalism began an M.A. program in the late 1920s and a Ph.D. program in mass communication in 1966. Graduates from these programs have become leaders in journalism education. Del Brinkman, M.A. ’64, Ph.D. ’71, has served as dean of the University of Kansas School of Journalism and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Kansas. Brinkman is presently the Journalism Program director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Tom Bowers, B.A. ’64, Ph.D. ’71, became associate dean of the School of Journalism at the University of North Carolina. Both Brinkman and Bowers served as president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. So also did David Weaver, B.A. ’68, M.A. ’69, Ph.D. ’74, now the Roy W. Howard Research Professor in Indiana University’s School of Journalism.

Under the leadership of Richard G. Gray, who became chairman of the Department of Journalism in 1968, the school’s curriculum changed its emphasis. Since 1969 journalism majors have had to study a core curriculum that balances instruction in the skills of writing, visual communication, reporting, and editing with instruction in the history, economics, law, responsibilities, and ethics of journalism. The Indiana Daily Student was separated from the curriculum; it and the Arbutus, the campus yearbook, were established as independent publications administered by a publisher selected by the journalism faculty. To provide a modern, technological environment for research and teaching in journalism, Gray led a national fundraising campaign for the renovation of Ernie Pyle Hall, completed in 1976.

Graduates have since distinguished themselves academically and professionally. Paul Tash, ’76, won a Marshall Scholarship to the University of Edinburgh and now is executive editor of the St. Petersburg Times. Bill Foley, ’76, won a Pulitzer Prize for photography. Michel du Cille, ’81, has won two for the Miami Herald and now is a picture editor at the Washington Post. Barbara Toman, ’83, won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University and works in the London bureau of the Wall Street Journal. Wendy Weyen, ’85, and Jennifer Orsi, ’88, won the Wells Award, the highest award for academic and leadership excellence that students can win at Indiana University, and both work for the St. Petersburg Times.

The school and its alumni pay tribute to the achievements of many of these outstanding graduates through undergraduate scholarships named in their honor.

In 1974 the Department of Journalism became a school with Richard Gray as director. In 1982 it became a systemwide school, responsible for the coordination of journalism education on all eight campuses of Indiana University. Gray became dean and presided over the founding of an undergraduate major at IUPUI in an independent School of Journalism. Before 1974 journalism courses had been taught at Indianapolis in the Department of English, mainly by Professor Shirley Quate, who also advised the student-run campus newspaper, The Sagamore, which first appeared in 1971. Acting Associate Dean Floyd Arpan established the School of Journalism in Cavanaugh Hall. As the program grew under the leadership of Associate Dean James Brown, the school moved in 1984 to offices in the Education–Social Work building. The school took over administration of The Sagamore, appointing its first publisher in 1985.

In 1989 the School of Journalism in Bloomington separated from the College of Arts and Sciences and became independent. Since 1990, students in the School of Journalism on both campuses have enrolled in a new degree program, the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (B.A.J.).

Campus Life at Indianapolis

The journalism curriculum helps students prepare to be effective communicators regardless of their chosen profession. Careers in newspapers, magazines, broadcast and electronic journalism, public relations, and advertising are as vital as ever. The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree also prepares students for related careers and for graduate studies. For example, strong communication skills are essential for careers in law, business, and public affairs.

The urban setting of the Indianapolis campus enables students and faculty to work closely with public and private agencies, government, business, and industry. Its urban orientation enables the university to be directly involved in metropolitan concerns and aspirations. The state capitol is only a short walk from the school’s offices. Internships available from Indianapolis media organizations allow students to enhance their classroom skills with work experiences in a major media market. Classroom experiences are also enriched by part-time instructors who are media professionals.

The School of Journalism operates administratively and practically as one school for the Indianapolis and Bloomington campuses. Because the degree program is unified, students who meet all admission requirements may start in Bloomington and transfer to IUPUI or vice versa. Students who have not met all admission requirements may transfer to the University Division at Bloomington or the University College at Indianapolis. The school is nationally accredited on both campuses.

The IUPUI campus emphasizes computer-based journalism. Students are taught how to use online information (LEXIS® and NEXIS®) in J100 Computer Methods for Journalism class. NEXIS, a massive database that contains full text of many newspapers, magazines, news services, and government documents, is very useful as background research on story ideas. Students are given free computer access accounts so that they may connect to the world of electronic information and, by e-mail, to their professors. Owning a computer is not necessary, but students who have their own computer in their homes or offices can turn in assignments electronically without coming to campus.

Two journalists from The Indianapolis Star won the Pulitzer prize for investigative journalism using computer skills learned in IUPUI journalism courses.

The Journalism Library

Books, journals, trade publications, and newspapers used by faculty and students in journalism are housed in the University Library, 755 W. Michigan Street. The IUPUI University Library is a beautifully designed building. It features computer databases that help students, faculty, and staff in their academic and professional work.

Campus Media

Students may work for The Sagamore, the campus newspaper administered by the School of Journalism in accordance with principles established in the Articles of Operation. The newspaper is a state-of-the-art desktop-published weekly that gives students a full range of opportunities in writing, editing, photography, ad sales, production, graphics, and page design. Students have full responsibility for the news-editorial content and may also gain management and marketing experience. Most student staff positions are paid. Students are also encouraged to explore opportunities in the communications market in print, broadcast, public relations, and advertising in Indianapolis. The Sagamore is often recognized as the top campus weekly in the state, having won numerous state, regional, and national awards.

Honors and Scholarships

The school recognizes and rewards the academic and professional accomplishments of its majors with a program of awards and scholarships on both campuses.

The school places its outstanding students on the Dean’s List each semester, based on their grade point average for that semester. In addition, the school annually awards approximately $130,000 in scholarships ranging in value from $500 to $6,500 to its majors. Indianapolis students compete with Bloomington students for these scholarships. Approximately $5,000 is earmarked for Indianapolis students. Applicants are interviewed for these scholarships in spring semester by a faculty-student committee. The school announces the awards at an annual ceremony for students and parents in April.

Student Organizations

The Journalism Student Organization helps students prepare to enter the media market by organizing a spring job fair and sponsoring occasional workshops and guest speakers throughout the year. Students may also join the professional chapters of Society of Professional Journalists, for students interested in careers in news; Women in Communications, for women interested in careers in journalism and mass communications; or Public Relations Society of America, for students interested in careers in public relations.

Internships and Placement

The IU School of Journalism at Indianapolis has a placement director in Indianapolis to help students prepare for internships and full-time employment. Indianapolis students are also encouraged to take advantage of recruiting visits, available through the Bloomington campus. Information about these opportunities is posted regularly on the school’s bulletin board outside Cavanaugh Hall 001G or through the Journalism Web site. Job opportunities are also listed in Deadline, a weekly newsletter from the Bloomington campus.

The school’s placement director advises students in preparing resumes, clips, cover letters, and interviews, as well as arranging for recruiters and employers to visit the IUPUI campus. For more information, contact Patrick McKeand, Education/Social Work Building 4104, (317) 274-5934.

Students may earn up to 3 credit hours in journalism for properly supervised internships, as long as they arrange to meet the school’s requirements in advance of taking the internship. Students may not apply the credit to the minimum of 30 credit hours required for the journalism major.

Admissions

Admission to the School of Journalism

Students wishing to major in journalism may declare themselves journalism majors in the University Division at Bloomington or the University College at Indianapolis during their first year at IU and may take J110 Foundations of Journalism and Mass Communication. At the Indianapolis campus, students may also take J100 Computer Methods in Journalism during their first year. Before seeking admission as a major in the School of Journalism, students must complete a minimum of 26 credit hours of undergraduate course work, including the following:

• J110 Foundations of Journalism and Mass Communication with a grade of C– or better
• English Composition with a grade of C– or better or exemption
• One semester of a foreign language
• One fundamental skills mathematics course or exemption. Recommended: Math M118, A118 or D116-D117.

Students wishing to become journalism majors are expected to have computer literacy, but there is no course or competency exam required for admission. Those who cannot demonstrate competency with word processing may be required to take a jump-start course before advancing in JOUR J200 or J210.

Students meeting these requirements with a cumulative grade point average of 2.20 (FX will be calculated as F) will be considered for admission to the School of Journalism. Each year the school will admit students, based on their grade point average, as the school’s physical space, instructional equipment, and faculty/staff resources permit.

At Bloomington, applicants will be permitted to register conditionally for the next required core course if they submit a completed application. Conditional registrations in journalism courses may be canceled if those applicants are denied admission to the School of Journalism. Application Deadlines

The School of Journalism will consider applications three times a year: May 15, August 20, and December 15. Application forms are available in Ernie Pyle 200 at Bloomington and in the Education–Social Work Building 4104 at Indianapolis.

All summer transfer course work must be entered on the student’s transcript prior to the first day of classes in fall semester. For admission to the Bloomington campus, transcripts from other colleges and universities should be sent to the

Office of Admissions
300 N. Jordan Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405 For admission to the Indianapolis campus, transcripts from other colleges and universities should be sent to the Office of Admissions
Cavanaugh Hall 129
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5143. Transfer Students Transfers from other Colleges and Universities Students who wish to transfer to IUPUI should contact the Office of Admissions
Cavanaugh Hall 129
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5143
(317) 274-4591 Students who wish to transfer to Bloomington should contact the Office of Admissions
300 N. Jordan Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
(812) 855-0661 Transfer students are first admitted to the University Division at Bloomington. They may then apply to the School of Journalism when they have completed the application requirements. Because transfer courses are not calculated in the cumulative grade point average for Indiana University students, transfer students must complete a minimum of one semester at Indiana University before they can be considered for admission to the school.

Acceptance of credit from other institutions will be determined by the Office of Admissions, and the applicability of credit toward degree requirements in the School of Journalism will be determined by the dean. No more than 12 transfer credit hours of mass communications courses may be counted in the journalism major. Only credits earned at Indiana University will count toward a student’s grade point average. Courses from other colleges and universities transfer as credit only.

Transfers within the School of Journalism on the Bloomington and Indianapolis Campuses

Students admitted to the school on the Bloomington campus who are transferring to the school on the Indianapolis campus should complete an Inter-Campus Transfer form available on the Web at www.iupui.edu/~moveiu. Students admitted to the school on the Indianapolis campus who are transferring to the school on the Bloomington campus must have completed all admission requirements as defined by the Bloomington campus and complete the same Web form. See “Admission to the School of Journalism” in this bulletin. Students who have not met all admission requirements may transfer to the University Division. Inter-campus transfer applications will be accepted throughout the year. However, students may take advantage of Continuing Student Registration by filing for an inter-campus transfer by March 1 for summer and fall semesters, and October 1 for spring semester.

Transfers from other Indiana University Campuses

Students who have completed the admission requirements should submit an application to the School of Journalism by the published deadlines. Students who have not completed the admission requirements should complete the online Inter-Campus Transfer form for admission to the University Division at Bloomington or the University College at Indianapolis.

Transfers from the School of Journalism to other Indiana University Campuses

Students enrolled in the School of Journalism who wish to attend another Indiana University campus should complete the online Inter-Campus Transfer form.

Administrative Officers and Faculty of the School of Journalism2002–04

Administrative Officers TREVOR R. BROWN, Ph.D., Dean

JAMES W. BROWN, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Indianapolis

BONNIE BROWNLEE, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies

JACK DVORAK, Ph.D., Director of High School Journalism Institute

DAN DREW, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research

Faculty Bjork, U. Jonas, Ph.D. (University of Washington, 1987), Associate Professor

Brown, James W., Ph.D. (Indiana University, 1977), Professor and Associate Dean

McKeand, Patrick J., M.A. (Ball State University, 1983), Lecturer and Publisher of The Sagamore

Ricchiardi, Sherry, Ph.D. (Iowa State University, 1986), Associate Professor