Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Robbie Morganfield, Interim Chairperson

Objectives

The objectives of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication are as follows:

cultivate in students the practice of acquiring interdisciplinary knowledge and developing analytical and critical skills for acquiring balanced views of world issues;
develop in students good oral and written communication skills necessary to the journalism profession;
develop in students at least one area of specialty and preferably the convergence of multiple areas in their chosen field;
develop the ability of students to collaborate with specialists in other fields to be informative, analytical, and critical in their reporting on issues;
cultivate in students an understanding of the historical, cultural, legal, ethical and moral contexts in which they apply their knowledge and skills;
prepare students for employment and career advancement in local, national and international media markets;
engage students in local community activities for them to apply their classroom knowledge to public use;
encourage students to participate in scholarly work and creative productions;
encourage students to explore new channels of communication and collaborative work that transcends departmental and institutional boundaries; and
maintain strong relationships with alumni, community, business and the non-profit sector.

ACEJMC Professional Values and Competencies

The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications requires that, irrespective of their specialization, all graduates should be aware of certain core values and competencies.

ACEJMC Values

understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances;
demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;
demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications;
demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society;
understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information;
demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;

ACEJMC Competencies

think critically, creatively and independently;
conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
apply current tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work, and to understand the digital world.

Degrees Offered

Journalism and Mass Communication (Mass Media Production) - Bachelor of Science
Journalism and Mass Communication (Multimedia Journalism) - Bachelor of Science
Journalism and Mass Communication (Public Relations) - Bachelor of Science

Minors Offered

Journalism and Mass Communication (Mass Media Production) - 18 Credit Hours
Journalism and Mass Communication (Multimedia Journalism) - 18 Credit Hours
Journalism and Mass Communication (Public Relations) - 18 Credit Hours

General Program Requirements

The admission of students into the undergraduate degree programs in Journalism and Mass Communication is based upon the general admission requirements of the University. If criteria are not met, a student may enter the University as “Undecided”; when the student achieves the cumulative GPA of 2.5, he or she may be admitted as a Journalism and Mass Communication major

The admission of students for a minor in Journalism and Mass Communication is based upon the general requirements for minors of the University. All students are expected to have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.2 to declare a minor in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Departmental Requirements

The Journalism and Mass Communication student must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of University courses. Included are 42 semester hours of courses in the major and a minimum of 72 semester credit hours outside of journalism and mass communication and meets the liberal arts and sciences general education requirements of the university

All majors must meet certain prerequisites prior to beginning sophomore-level courses in their chosen concentrations. Majors must demonstrate computer literacy skills as defined by the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. They also must make a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in the first year of courses.

A student admitted in the Journalism and Mass Communication program must successfully complete a minimum of 120 credit hours in order to receive the bachelor of science and:

Maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average in courses in the major.
Successfully complete the required capstone Professional Development Seminar course (JOMC 492).
Complete an academic internship for credit with an approved media organization.
Complete the following practicum courses:
1. Mass Media Production (1 Practicum + Mass Communication Professional Development Seminar + Mass Communication Internship)
2. Multimedia Journalism (1 Practicum + Mass Communication Professional Development Seminar + Mass Communication Internship)
3. Public Relations (1 Practicum + Mass Communication Professional Development Seminar + Mass Communication Internship)

Career Opportunities

A bachelor of science degree in Journalism and Mass Communication will prepare students for careers in research, teaching, management, public relations, and corporate communication. Corporations, consulting firms, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and state, federal and local government agencies may provide job opportunities. Careers in the Journalism and Mass Communication industry continue to expand. With the development of new media and modern technology, increasingly more professional employment opportunities are becoming available.

Directory of Faculty

Michael Carter; Lecturer
B.A., Bethany College; M.F.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Dwight Davis; Instructor
B.A., High Point University; M.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Gary Guffey; Lecturer
B.S., B.A., High Point University; M.B.A., Wake Forest University; M.A., Indiana University; Ph.D., University of Georgia

Emily Harris; Student Newspaper Advisor and Lecturer
B.A., M.A., Marshall University

Allen Johnson; Lecturer
B.A., M.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Joseph Jowers; Instructor
B.A., Clark Atlanta University; M.F.A., Wake Forest University

Yahya R. Kamalipour; Professor
B.A., Minnesota State University; M.A., University of Wisconsin - Superior; Ph.D. University of Missouri - Columbia

Kevin Keenan; Instructor
B.A., M.S., University of Illinois; Ph.D., University of Georgia

Gary Kenton; Instructor
B.A., Greensboro College; M.A. Fordham University

Robbie Morganfield; Janice Bryant Howroyd/News & Record Endowed Professor & Interim Chairperson
B.A. University of Mississippi, M.A., The Ohio State University, M.Div., Texas Christian University, Ph.D., University of Maryland

Arthea Perry; Lecturer
B.A., Winston Salem State University; M.F.A., Savannah College of Art and Design

Kimberly Smith; Associate Professor
B.A., Howard University; M.M.C., Ph.D., University of South Carolina

David Squires; Lecturer
B.A., M.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Daphne Valerius; Lecturer
B.S., St. John’s University; M.A., Emerson College; Ph.D., University of Missouri

Anthony Welborne; Lecturer and General Manager, WNAA-FM
B.S., M.S., North Carolina A&T State University

Sheila Whitley; Associate Professor and Interim Associate Dean
A.A., Wingate University; B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; M.A., Appalachian State University; Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Xueying Zhang; Assistant Professor
B.A., M.A., Beijing Foreign Studies University; M.A., Oklahoma State University; Ph.D., University of Alabama