Communication & American Culture
Tentative Program Outline
2-year master's degree program, enrolling new students with B.A./B.S. degrees in communication or liberal arts
*3 curricular components:
Media component: specialization in one communication medium (20-30 credits, depending on undergraduate/professional background), e.g., speech, print, video, multi-media, historical sites
Culture component: specialization in traditional discipline OR interdisciplinary theme (20-30 credits, depending on undergraduate preparation), e.g., literature, history, political science, OR nineteenth-century studies, Appalachian studies, labor studies, ethnic studies. Some students may want to earn second master's degree in traditional discipline, subject to admission to that program.
Tools component: appropriate research competencies (8-12 credits), e.g., archival research, statistics, criticism, interviewing
*Internship, locally or regionally
e.g., Kennedy Museum, Channel 20, historical societies, Underground RR documentation sites, Hill Country Heritage Program, Hellferty Associates, African-American Museum [Xenia]
*Project or thesis
Discussion Items
Issues in Communication & American Culture
& Other Interdisciplinary Programming
Opportunities
Integrate faculty research expertise into graduate curriculum (most cutting-edge scholarship occurs at disciplinary borders
Attract new graduate students to university
Meet demand for programming in new and expanding media, for commercial producers and non-profit organizations, including museums and historical sites
Promote interdisciplinary undergraduate offerings, including Tier III
Organize research institute to fund and support interdisciplinary faculty research, and provide opportunities for postdoctoral research (post-doc's might also help pick up departmental teaching from participating faculty?)
Enhance publication opportunities for OU Press
Copyrights & royalties on documentary works
Tap into state funding for local tourism (e.g., State of Connecticut just gave Ken Burns more than $500,000 for a documentary on Mark Twain's life, which will pay special attention to his home in Hartford)
Mobilize common research and teaching strengths across the disciplines (e.g., Appalachian & regional studies, nineteenth-century culture, American technology, African-American and women's studies).
Hurdles
How can we assure adequate funding of interdisciplinary programs (including 3-9s and library support) when most courses are supplied by regular departments?
How can we assure program continuity when faculty are hired and tenured by departments?
How can faculty participate in interdisciplinary programs without depriving their departments of teaching power and injuring their departmental merit evaluations?
How can we make team teaching feasible for faculty, departments, and the university?
How can we assure required or essential courses when departments make teaching assignments?
Click here for more information about the M.A. in Communication and American Culture.
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