Teaching
Most of my teaching is in photojournalism and the graduate program. The courses I regularly teach:
History of Photojournalism
This course spans the history of photography from 1839 (and a little before) to the present. The focus is primarily on American photojournalism in the documentary tradition and considers the cultural, political and economic contexts that shape the creation and presentation of photojournalism content. This has often been taught as a writing intensive course.
History of American Journalism
This course spans the history of journalism and strategic communication in America from the colonial era to the present practices. The focus is on putting the past in context, understanding the environments in which journalism and strategic communication have evolved and social/cultural factors that shaped events and how we can use that knowledge to understand present practices. I've taught this face-to-face and online.
Photography in Society
This graduate seminar considers the role photography plays in society, how ideas are communicated visually and effects on the meaning that is made from photographs. The course incorporates cultural/aesthetic considerations to critically assess photographs before considering the work of several photographers and subjects. DIfferent approaches to research using photography are considered as well.
Qualitative Research Methods in Journalism
This graduate class introduces qualitative research methods and their differences from quantitative methods. It emphasizes the relationship of theory to research question and research question to method. Different methods are introduced, including interviewing, focus groups, textual analysis, coding and analysis and grounded theory approaches. I've taught this face-to-face and online.
I have also taught:
Mass Media Seminar
This graduate seminar provides an overview of roles and problems of media in society, introduction to theory and application to research and practice. It's the initial course in our master's program.
Philosophy of Journalism
Philosophical issues underlying journalism, including positive and negative concepts of individual freedom. social responsibility, the meaning of journalism as an institution and of journalist as an individual. The course examines normative roles of journalism and the relationship between objectivity and transparency and truth telling.
Doctoral Research Seminar
This course focuses on the development of doctoral students in the Missouri School of Journalism as scholars and teachers. Topics in the course include development of a research program and statement, development of a teaching philosophy, research funding, presentation of scholarship and job seeking.
Electronic Photojournalism (EPJ)
This is a multimedia course for photojournalism. The emphasis is partly on using audio, video and stills to tell a story, and partly on presenting the story online in an interactive environment. This class is always evolving and currently spans html for web and mobile devices, e-book creation and concepts related to app development.
Teaching Awards
Writing Intensive Teaching Excellence Award, Campus Writing Program, University of Missouri, 2015-2016 academic year.