New Name, Same Mission: Introducing the School of Journalism & Media
School of Journalism and Media students participate in a Land Grant Film project at the Communication and Information Building’s Patricia D. Williams Terrace.
In 1923, the first journalism classes at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, were offered through the English Department.
Since then, the curriculum has continually adapted to prepare students to excel in the media environment of the day. The first major change was the establishment of the Department of Journalism in the College of Business Administration in 1947, which later became the School of Journalism in 1957.
Following the addition of the Department of Broadcasting in 1970, the two programs then merged to form the School of Journalism and Electronic Media in 2003.
Now, starting in August, the school is changing its name to the School of Journalism and Media to better reflect the breadth of media opportunities available to all students through the school’s expanding curriculum.
“For more than a century, we have adapted our program to better keep pace with the rapidly-evolving media landscape,” Interim Director of the School of Journalism and Media Courtney Childers said. “This is a continuation of that practice and reaffirmation of our commitment to prepare our students for the industry through a combination of classroom instruction and experiential learning opportunities from day one.”
Students majoring in the School of Journalism and Media can now declare a concentration in Creative Media, Media Leadership and Enterprise, News, Science Communication, or Sports Communication. Students can also minor in Broadcast Meteorology, Digital Media, Journalism and Media, and Social Media Analytics (in conjunction with the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations and the School of Information Sciences) to help prepare students to work in a media-saturated environment.
The school also offers numerous engaged learning opportunities via WUTK- 90.3 The Rock, Land Grant Films, The Volunteer Channel, The Daily Beacon, Ablaze Magazine, WUOT-FM, and Lumos Media Services.
The transition to a new name also comes at an exciting time for the school.
Last year, the school celebrated its 75th anniversary and the 2022-23 academic year, enrollment in the School of Journalism and Media saw a 40 percent single-year increase in majors. The number of faculty and staff is also growing, with the school hiring its first communication specialist in May, and plans to welcome four new faculty members this fall. There are also upcoming alumni events planned for Nashville, New York City, and Los Angeles.
“The School of Journalism and Media has a rich legacy at UT with current students and alumni carrying that Volunteer Spirit through their storytelling in communities near and far,” Childers said. “While the name has changed, its mission remains the same and I am excited for the future of media as our Vols continue to be trailblazers in the industry.”