Existing collaboration

One of the arguments against the merger that’s mulling around in the minds of professors and administrators is a fear that the new school would require a sacrifice of specialization.

Many are afraid that with such an expansive school and group of students, no one could possibly receive proper education to declare “specialization” status.

I beg to differ.

As an English major, I’m part of one of the largest and broadest programs on this campus. The major offers coursework in Chaucer, creative nonfiction writing and the Coen brothers — that’s a lot in one basket.

But in my pursuit of a public and professional writing concentration, I’ve always found classes that whole-heartedly work to make me feel completely knowledgeable about all aspects of my chosen specialization. I’ve encountered smaller classes taught by passionate professors while still getting the broader education from the English department.

I see no reason why this wouldn’t be the same case in the new School of Communication, Media and Journalism.

The proposal for the new school states students would need to choose a concentration and may choose a specialization if they’d like. The lists of options for both are impressive, interesting and cutting-edge.

Professors would still be able to teach smaller classes for specialization purposes, but students would benefit from different aspects and viewpoints of their concentration.

Now, students will actually receive “specialization” status because they can view their visual communication concentration from classes taught by telecommunications-geared professors one semester while taking a class taught by a more general communications and culture-geared professor the next.

Students will receive a more comprehensive education that covers all aspects of the field they actually find interesting.

The proposal for the School of Communication, Media and Journalism also focuses on getting students out into other schools, too. It gives some examples, such as “the Media Psychology specialization could include courses from the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, and the Political Communication specialization could include courses from political science and Political and Civic Engagement.”

Clearly any argument that specializations could be lost has been thought about and dealt with properly. So, while some resist the changes that will ensue with this merger, I welcome it with open arms.

I almost wish I could change my major to something within the new school.

­— sjostrow@indiana.edu