Industry News

Journalism
&
Mass Communications

DATES TO KNOW:

Spring Semester Begins:
January 25, 2006

SPRING BREAK 2006:
March 27 - March 31st

Spring Semester Ends:
May 17, 2006

NOTE:

A designated
JMC Intern
Faculty Supervisor
will be available during the summer 2006.
Contact the
JMC main office:
408-924-3242

Most JMC faculty
will be off duty
and unavailable
during the summer
months.

JMC FACULTY
GRADUATION
ADVISORS:

Spring 2006

Dr. Kathleen Martinelli

Prof. Bob Rucker

JMC INTERN
FACULTY SUPERVISOR:

Spring 2006

Dr. Scott Fosdick

JMC School Director
Dr. William Briggs

JMC FACULTY

There are several major announcements in the
broadcast journalism sequence at San Jose State University

1. Bob Rucker Sabbatical leave during the Fall semester, 2006. I have been given the OK to travel to New Orleans and the Gulf States region this fall to conduct a study of the changes in broadcast and print media one year after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Online delivery of news has become primary for thousands of people still displaced and scattered across the nation.

My semester-long endeavor is approved and supported by SJSU. I will not teach any classes this fall, nor will I be available for office hours or advising during the fall. TV News Professor Robert Brauntein will continue teaching at SJSU and will serve as a broadcast career advisor for students. Dr. Kathleen Martinelli will serve as the JMC School advisor for graduation preparation and applications. (Remember: If planning to graduate in May 2007, apply by October 1st.) Check with the JMC office next fall to find out who will be the faculty internship supervisor. Bob Rucker will return to campus duties in late January at the start of the Spring, 2007 semester.

2. Digital camera requirement begins Fall semester, 2006.

A reminder...when RTVJ students return in August for the fall semester, ALL must have a digital camera which records digital audio and video. This broadcast sequence policy was adopted several years ago and has been announced in J61b, the RTVJ beginning sequence classes, for several semesters. Students must use their own digital cameras in the two television news classes, J164 & J165. Eventually, these cameras will also be used in other sequence classes and new classes being developed by the JMC School. Make sure your personal digital camera has the capability to record audio using an additional microphone which may be attached to your camera. Also make sure you have headphones for your digital camera. (We recognize that many students already have this equipment. All students must be aware of this requirement beginning in the Fall semester 2006.)

3. Laptop requirement continues.

All JMC students are required to have a laptop computer for use in school classes. This JMC School requirement has been in effect for several years now. Computers and software packages & upgrades are available for purchase at the SJSU bookstore, some products at substantially reduced market prices.

Digital editing software being used in the JMC School includes Final Cut Pro for Apple laptops, and Adobe Premiere for PC users. These software editing systems will continue to be offered students in the DBH 221 lab for students in the TV news reporting classes, J164 & J165. Some students, however, have elected to purchase their own editing software anticipating they can use their personal digital cameras and editing software for a variety or personal projects. Personal projects and outside class assignments may not be edited in the DBH 221 edting lab.

4. New Technology class replaces J163 RTVJ requirement.

The current Journalism 163: Audio & Video Streaming class is being discontinued, and that course is being revamped. The new 163 class will be available to all JMC school majors...advertising, PR and journalism students...and enable students to learn about media focused-web site design and development, including streaming options. We anticipate this course will be taught by media professionals who work in the software development companies here in the Silicon Valley. The new163 will be offered both in the fall and spring semesters...and it will NOT be a broadcast specific course or requirement.

RTVJ students are strongly encouraged to take this course as an elective in the future. Expect demand to be high. The JMC School will be working to offer additional sections of this class elective over time.

RTVJ majors and minors: To replace the 3 unit requirement for J163, you are initially advised to take an additional elective course in either MCOM, advertising, PR or journalism for 3 units. Eventually we anticipate creating a special independent study broadcast course, in a few years, which will focus on new developments in the broadcast news industry online endeavors. In the meantime, electing to take one more elective course in the JMC School should not interfere or delay any RTVJ student from graduating on time.

5. KSJS to broadcast two journalism student special reports this summer!

The campus radio station has again agreed to air two, 30 minute special reports, researched, written and produced by Spring, 2006 advanced RTVJ students in the last J163 Audio/Video Streaming class. The two programs, organized and anchored by RTVJ students, will focus on the current Immigration challenges facing America and this area, and the current "Rap on Religion,"... local interests and concerns about religions and spirituality in making news headlines. Listen for these two in-depth broadcast journalism student reports throughout the summer on KSJS, 90.5 FM South Bay radio.

New JMC School Policy

NO late class adds will be allowed
after the SJSU last day to ADD a course.

   Students are always responsible for adding & dropping classes by
   SJSU deadlines. The Dean's office rarely approves late semester
   requests to drop classes. Unique circumstances and appropriate
   documentation are required. Please note...student concerns about
   their G.P.A. and getting low grades in a class are not enough to get
   approval to drop a course late in a semester.

ADVISING
Think carefully...Plan Ahead...Meet Deadlines
"If you snooze you may lose!"

If you hate waiting in long lines to see an advisor...
If you want to stay on track & graduate on time...
If you need signatures on required forms...

PAY ATTENTION NOW & TAKE EARLY ACTION

Too many students wait to the last
minute to see an advisor...run into
long lines when they do show up...
and some, who never checked with
an advisor over the years, are
shocked to find they don't have the
courses or grades they need to
graduate.

Whose to blame? Just look in the mirror!

Be PRO-ACTIVE
Steps to take to finding your future :

GET WITH THE PROGRAM !
Instead of wasting time saying..." I don't know what I want to do
with my life," challenge yourself and identify your interests
and strengths. No procrastination. Get on with it!

DO SOME RESEARCH.
Abraham Lincoln once said...
"Before you shoot off your mouth, make sure your brains are loaded!
Go online and find about your interests & career opportunities.
If media is your thing, check out our JMC web site:
www.jmc.sjsu.edu
READ & discover the courses we offer in
Advertising, Journalism & Public Relations.

CONTACT & CONSULT WITH FACULTY.
Forget about being shy! Your future is important.
Make appointments and meet with JMC professors who
will be glad to talk through your ideas and plans.
These experts in their field will be happy to help you.
Just make the effort & listen well.

GET STARTED !
Freshmen and sophomores... Prioritize completing lower division
GE classes. Identify subjects you liked...focus in on those interests.
Look for and declare a possible major/minor before junior year.

EXPERIMENT BUT DON'T BE ERRATIC!
Total self indulgence is NOT the goal...narrow your interests
and focus. Make decisions in your best interest,
then live with them! Keep experimenting but resist
radical changes. Keep talking with advisors along the way.

FOLLOW DEGREE PLANS
Each major has specific courses which must be taken.
Some have pre-requisites which must be completed first.
By junior year COMMIT and follow degree plans.
Remember: The goal is complete the degree. After graduation many
people opt for career changes, but they must have a four year degree which confirms you finish what you start. Be as flexible as you want after getting the degree!

KEEP CLOSE TRACK ON YOUR DEGREE PLAN
Students should always keep track of their grades,
have copies of an transcripts from other schools, and
always be looking ahead to what's coming next with
classes including any required internship.
Speak with faculty advisors well in advance and look
for info on department website.

AS CONFLICTS ARISE, STAY ON MISSION
You are in college to broaden your knowledge...find ways to
participate in on-campus activities and timely events.
Don't miss out on unique opportunities to learn new things.
Look for fliers about events. Find time and go!
A good college experience is more than just going to classes.
Always be open to finding creative future options!!!

JMC INTERNSHIP - KNOW THE DOs & DON'Ts
End of junior year (summer or thereafter).
Consult with faculty in your major...go online to dept. website
and FOLLOW ALL STEPS to securing and
completing an internship for credit.
Warning: There are precise JMC internship procedure. Don't flake out.
No guess work...KNOW THE POLICIES and follow them to the letter
or you get NO credit for your internship!

APPLYING FOR GRADUATION
Two semesters before you plan to graduate, formally apply.
Get & fill out the university form...and the JMC department form.
Gather your records (printout of grades, copy of transcripts).
Meet with a JMC School designated faculty advisor for graduation.
Get signature and submit forms. The university must review
your documents and send you confirmation of a successful
degree plan (or identify missing classes.)
Do NOT dash in at the last minute to do this! Something
so very important to you should ever be rushed. Advisors
will not...nor will they be pressured. This is a crucial step.
Cool your jets and do this right.

FEEL CONFIDENT !
If you gave careful and timely consideration throughout this process, followed the above recommendations, and did the best you
could in your classes...Congratulations!
You've positioned yourself well...been heads up...
efficient, thorough and reliable. The job market loves those traits!

Remember what you learned
throughout all these steps...
Trust in your abilities...and go for it!

Coming Here Soon...

NEW INFORMATIONAL GROUP MEETINGS:

For students planning to apply for GRADUATION DEC. 2006

For students applying for SUMMER 2006 INTERNSHIPS.