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Jour 500 – Topics in Journalism, “Media and the Military”
3 credit hours – 3-5 pm Tuesdays & Thursdays
Prerequisites: Junior, senior or graduate standing and instructor permission
Instructors: Prof. Barbara Barnett; Prof. Tom Volek
Course Description:
The course is an exploration of the relationship and tension between the media and the military. The course will enroll 16 KU student participants and 16 field grade student-officer participants (rank of major) from the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth.
Upon completion, both the military officers and the KU students will better understand the requirements and skills needed to effectively plan for and engage each organization. The course will provide background information on the structure, function and culture of each organization for the other. The KU students and student-officers then will engage in mutual exercises to further understand professional and communications issues each faces.
The KU students will meet as a group during the first part of the course for instruction and review. The military student-officers will join the group after approximately six weeks.
Course components include:
- Introduction to the structure, function and culture of the U.S. Army. KU students will be brought “up to speed” on how the Army works.
- Review and focus on media issues. KU students will “get on the same page” with study of media issues and culture.
- Frank and open discussions about the professional requirements, expectations, organization and culture of the two organizations.
- An appreciation of the issues surrounding the need to keep the American public and the world public informed of military affairs.
- The challenges associated with journalists assigned to military operations.
- Case studies and practical exercises where journalists participate as embedded media and prepare personal interest stories.
- Military officers will gain advanced insights into preparing both oral and written communications focusing on themes and messages to keep the public informed.
- Both sides will explore the ethics of the other’s profession.
Class Meeting Place and Time:
The Class nominally will meet 3-5 pm Tuesdays & Thursdays in Summerfield 503. The location of the last six weeks of class will be split between KU and Ft. Leavenworth. Transportation will be arranged when necessary and travel time taken into consideration.
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