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JOURNALISM & MASS COMMUNICATIONS
The department of Journalism and Mass Communications offers courses leading to the baccalaureate degree (B.A.) with a concentration in one of three areas: Print and Online Journalism; Public Relations and Advertising, and Radio, Television and Film. Minor programs are available in English and several other disciplines within the University. The department offers courses in desktop publishing, photojournalism, radio and television production, public relations, non-linear editing, web design, and advertising copy writing. Students will have many opportunities before graduation to develop professional skills. We offer a fully functioning television production studio and control room; WHCJ-FM, the university's radio station and Tiger's Roar, SSU's award-winning student newspaper. We also offer public relations and advertising experience both in and out of the classroom through internships, volunteer opportunities and classroom projects. In addition to the University of Georgia, Savannah State University's Department of Mass Communications is the only program in the State of Georgia that is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). The department has been accredited since 2007. ACEJMC requires that irrespective of their particular specialization, all graduates should be aware of certain core values and competencies.
Message from the Chair for our Monthly JMC Newsletter
Dr. Serajul Bhuiyan Professor and Chair Journalism and Mass Communications Savannah State University, Savannah, GA University
We are proud of Savannah State University’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communications. It is one of only two programs in the State of Georgia accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), and is therefore recognized for maintaining excellence in journalism education. Initially accredited in 2007, JMC was reaccredited in 2013 through the combined efforts of the university’s administration, faculty, staff and students. JMC is one of the fastest growing departments at SSU. The department provides a strong liberal arts foundation, committed and involved faculty, and impressive internship opportunities whereby students realize their full potential as communicators, journalists, public relations practitioners, graphic artists, multimedia journalists, and most of all, engaged global citizens. The department's coursework is both theoretical and applied, providing the conceptual grounding for lifelong learning and career flexibility. Our faculty and staff actively engage our students, and encourage them to become involved in contemporary local and global issues. They invite media professionals into their classrooms to enlighten students on issues that affect journalism education and the changing media landscape. This is why we are going to share every month’s academic activities and document them in the JMC Monthly Newsletter. We will continue to monitor and improve our performance, and to also help our students develop better in the professional world.
WSAV’s Courtney Cole talks with JMC students about the news business by Isaiah Singleton, junior, online journalism The SSU student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ) in conjunction with the Savannah NABJ chapter hosted a two-night lecture on Monday, October 9th and Tuesday, October 10th in Whiting Hall at Savannah State University. The speaker both nights was WSAV’s Courtney Cole. Cole is the Coastal Sunrise Morning news reporter and fill-in anchor and she spoke to a group of Journalism and Mass Communications students about news broadcasting. “When starting out, you don’t want to put yourself in a box,” Cole said. She gave other career goals and advice during the lecture and she also gave incite to what goes on in the studio and shared her experiences in the media industry. She graduated Suma Cum Laude from Hampton University. As a student she anchored and wrote for the campus news station. She started her professional career West Palm Beach’s number one station, WPTV News Channel 5, Cole was a one-man-band by shooting, recording, editing, and writing her own work. She has worked as an assignment editor, weekend planning editor, web content producer, associate producer, and as a news producer. Cole joined WSAV in Savannah, Georgia two years ago, in March 2015. Currently, she anchors, reports, and works on news packages. “The best part about my job is all the people you get to meet doing what you love and telling a story,” said Cole. The lectures were targeted to audio video majors in the JMC program but were open to all JMC majors to attend. Students had an interest in finding out what her first live shot was like and what things did she do to improve. Students were surprised because in her news stories, she appears polished and speaks with confidence. However, when someone first starts a new profession, it is natural to make mistakes. Cole said, “One big thing I learned from my mistakes was learning how to control the situations.”
Courtney Cole speaking to JMC Students.
Cole gave a number of methods to improve speaking in front of the camera, including reading in front of a mirror, getting feedback from mentors, and recording your self. She said it made her more focus more on polishing her skills because it is still a work in progress. Freshman Damien Bryant said, “I enjoyed it. She was very knowledgeable and you can tell she has great experiences and a passion for her job.” Cole urged that Savannah State University is where the networking process begins and that the industry is about who you know. “Do not overlook your professors,” she added. Professors can help students get their foot in the door or for the very least guide them in the right direction. Senior Lakyan Hackworth said, “stay focused and not be discouraged if she does not get a job right away.” Cole also spoke about having “thick skin” in the media industry. Some producers may give very harsh criticism regarding your performance. However, she stressed to not take it personally.
Cole can be seen on WSAV’s Coastal Sunrise Weekend show from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. You can also catch her on WSAV News 3 Today on the Weekend from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. as well as reporting throughout the week.
Coronation: JMC students serve as Miss and Mr. SSU
Announcements Nov. 28, 5 p.m. JMC Town Hall auditorium in Whiting All Journalism and Mass Communications students, faculty and staff should plan to be in the auditorium in Whiting Hall for this meeting. Reaccreditation, student organizations and other topics will be addressed.
Going Global
Seniors Antonia Green and Rakim Johnson were coronated on Oct. 5 as the 80th Miss Savannah State University and the 2nd Mr. Savannah State University, respectively. Members of the faculty from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications made a presentation to the outstanding duo at the ceremony. Photos courtesy of Jason Miccolo Johnson
Prof. Jessica Sparks is offering JMC students COMM credits while studying in Panama during the first summer semester. Send students to Sparks for more information.
Art in the Community Prof. Jason Miccolo Johnson's work is being featured in an art exhibit in the Jepson Center. The exhibit ran from Oct. 5 through Nov. 26.
NABJ hosts 60 Minutes producer On Oct. 19, former 60 Minutes producer Lauren Siefert spoke to Prof. Will Martin's advanced audio class. The event was hosted by the Savannah State University student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. Seifert spent 10 years as a television producer and editor for CBS News in New York and Washington D.C. Among her many roles at CBS News, Seifert served as coordinating producer for the 2008 Democratic National Convention for CBS Radio News and received both an Emmy Award and Overseas Press Club Award in 2013 for her work as a producer for 60 Minutes. She left the news business to work for her family business. They own 3 McDonald's franchises. For the past four years, Seifert has led her team of 150 employees to build sales and transactions at her restaurants, launch and sustain new McDonald’s products, and serve as an active member of the community, by building partnerships and relationships with various local school and non-profit organizations. Seifert is a firm believer that her work as a news producer has translated into further success as a member of the McDonald's brand, by possessing a world view that enables her to take pride in the success and growth of her employees and her business.
Photos courtesy of Jason Miccolo Johnson
GOLDEN TIGER FILM SOCIETY HOSTS 'THE GATHERING' TO STIR INTEREST IN FILM FESTIVAL
The Golden Tiger Film Society hosted The Gathering on Monday, October 23 at 6pm in room 124 of Whiting Hall on Savannah State University campus. The Gathering is an event for filmmakers to come and find out information about the 4th SSU Indie Film Festival, share movie trailers for projects they are working on, and form a film team if someone is looking to produce a project. The Gathering is held once in the fall semester and again in the spring semester and is the precursor to the SSU Indie Film Festival. About 30 people attended the event, many of them students and others from the local film and television community. Professor Tracy Haynes gave a demonstration about color correcting video using features in the software Final Cut and staff member Kareem McMichael gave a presentation about ways to use resources at the Savannah Film Office to get permits and other needs fulfilled for film projects. There were also presentations from The submission period for the 4th SSU Indie Film Festival is now open and more information can be found about on the submission page of http://ssuindiefilmfest.weebly.com. Submit films to these 5 categories: Music Video, Horror/Sci-fi, Comedy, Documentary and Drama. Submit films completed after January 1, 2016. Films can be from 3 to 15 minutes. (Any films longer than time limit will be disqualified.) Films must be in English and the entry Fee: $10. The 4th SSU Indie Film Festival will be held in April 2018. For more information email: ssuindf@gmail.com and follow us on social media, Facebook: SSU Indie Film Fest and Instagram: @ssufilmfest.
Trammel quoted in industry publication, finishes book chapter, wins award Dr. Juliana Trammel was quoted in an article on PR News titled, "PR's Strategic Advisory Role in The Age of Blurred Job Functions: 24 PR Leaders Speak" in August. In addition, Trammel was invited to serve as a blind reviewer for the AEJMC Midwinter Conference. She also received a service award from ConneXion United Methodist Church for designing the logo and website. Trammel has been busy writing this year, as well. She finished an upcoming book chapter titled, "Color Privileges, Humor and Dialogues: Theorizing How People of African Descent in Brazil Communicatively Manage Racial Teasing and a Sense of Self." She also was published in Communication and Information Technologies Annual: Digital Empowerment with a shared byline for "Social Media, Women and Empowerment: The Uses of Social Media Platforms by WNGOs in Jamaica and Brazil"; in the Journal of Black Studies with "Breastfeeding Campaigns and Ethnic Disparity in Brazil: The Representation of a Hegemonic Society and Quasi-Perfect Experience"; and in Contemporary World Issues: Social Media for "Saving Face: Applying the Spiral of Silence Theory to Social Media: Self-Censorship in the Midst of Controversial Issues."
Haynes brings drones to classroom Prof. Tracy Haynes let students take control during Homecoming Week with the addition of drones in his video course. Haynes is in the process of finishing his certifications to use the drone. Photos courtesy of Terry Manning.
Sparks volunteers at national news conference Prof. Jessica Sparks was chosen as a volunteer for the Online News Association Conference in October 2017. From Oct. 5-8, news industry professionals gathered to discuss trends, issues and skill building for news in Washington, D.C. Keynote speakers included David Farenthold from The Washington Post and technologist Amy Webb. As a volunteer, Sparks assisted with the international reception and registration for the awards gala. While at the conference, Sparks met with several journalism educators to discuss classroom techniques, skill-building strategies for students and more.
JMC attends Open Campus Day- September 23, 2017
Sulkowski: Pitch In When You're Needed By Sandra Earley A video began to play in a Whiting classroom full of JMC students from two courses. In the classroom and on the screen was Frank Sulkowski, sports director of WJCL-TV.
On his video, the Big Guy, as he is known, was broadcasting not from Savannah, but from Birmingham, Ala. Hurricane Irma was bearing down on his hometown, so the evening’s college football game had been moved out of the storm's route into Alabama. Six hours later – the time it took for a junk-food-fueled drive through the night to Savannah -- Sulkowski was on the video again, standing shin-deep in water on the road to Typee Island and broadcasting live during what by then Tropical Storm Irma. Soon Sulkowski and his photographer would be forced to flee the road as the water headed for the tops of car doors. “You pitch in where you’re needed,” Sulkowski told the two classes assembled September 21 in a Whiting Mac lab. The theme of day was that a well-trained reporter can cover anything, sports or hurricanes, Assistant Professor Sandra Earley told students in the COMM 2101 Writing for Digital Media class.
Also attending were students in COMM 1000 Colloquium taught by Assistant Professor Phelps Hawkins. A good reporter steps up in a disaster whatever his or her specialty. "It was my duty," said Sulkowski. "We just tell the story of what we see." Viewers rely on television stations for information in times of trouble. Sulkowski remembered that during both Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and again during Irma, evacuated local citizens would call WJCL to see if staffers had been near their homes and knew the condition of their property. They also asked the station to send its helicopter over their houses. "Everybody rallies" to help out, Sulkowski said. "Your first responsibility is to inform the readers, viewers and listeners. We are the go-betweens." On one big local story nine years ago, Sulkowski stepped up, not to report on the air, but behind the scenes. In February 2008, Sulkowski was headed home after covering an SSU basketball game when he noticed police cars and emergency vehicles whizzing by. Calling in to tip off WJCL editors that something was happening, he was told that there had been a huge, killing explosion at the Imperial Sugar Refinery in Port Wentworth. Sulkowski pitched in. He raced to the station, he said, and jumped in one of the WJCL live trucks, drove to the refinery and set up the truck to broadcast from the scene. "Then I waited for a reporter to show up," he said. "Nothing is below me."
Lloyd, Conner visit Prof. Earley's classes Wanda Lloyd, former JMC chair and former executive editor of the Montgomery Advertiser, spoke in October to the Women in the Media course addressing the subject of whether women working in the media have an impact on the way women are portrayed in their media. Karen Conner, executive administrative assistant to CLASS dean and SSU alumna spoke to the Memoir and Family Stories course as students were about to write essays on food and its role in their lives and in the African-American experience.
Photo courtesy of Jason Miccolo Johnson
Photo courtesy of Sandra Earley
Former chair discusses diversity in newsrooms On August 30, journalist and former chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications Wanda Lloyd was the guest lecturer to both sections of COMM 2106 African Americans in the Media. The first female recipient of the Ida B. Wells Award for Journalism, Lloyd emphasized the important of diversity in the newsroom. Taking the moment to inform as well as educate, Lloyd provided the 21st century learners with some valuable advice. Among those items listed were the following: Desire to sit at the table. Be proactive to insure that the organization for which you work implements diversity practices. Get a passport; take a chance; exercise good core values such as hard work, honesty, and leadership. Take a stand for the things they find important.
Former Disney artist discusses storyboarding On Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, artist and author, Mallory Pierce, guest lectured for Scriptwriting for Multimedia. He discussed the art of storyboarding. Pierce began his career as a storyboard artist for Walt Disney Studios and went on to produce a documentary about the effects of sickle cell anemia. Following the lecture, Pierce conducted a workshop to assist students in developing confidence in their drawing techniques. The following Monday, Pierce returned to discuss the art of montage and sequencing. The presentation included a screening of the Odessa Steps sequence from "The Battleship Potemkin."
Jason Miccolo Johnson talks photojournalism On Sept. 29, photographer and author, Jason Miccolo Johnson guest lectured for both sections African Americans in the Media. He discussed the significance of photojournalism and the importance of documenting a moment. Miccolo Johnson is a visiting professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications. A published author, among his other accomplishments, Miccolo Johnson has several works on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. When he's not teaching, Johnson can be found on campus documenting life at Savannah State.
Brown featured on radio show
Noteworthy
Assistant to the Chair Tina Brown was one of two featured guests on the monthly production, "The Writers' Way" on WHCJ 90.3 FM. The show, produced by the The Write Attitude and WHCJ featured a discussion with Brown and filmmaker June Cross. It aired at 4 p.m. Oct. 25. Brown is an award-winning journalist and author. Her book, "Crooked Road Straight" follows AIDS activist Linda Carole Jordan.
JMC discusses CNN affiliation After meeting with CNN representative Patrick West, JMC is working to re-affiliate with the news network. Affiliation gives students the opportunity to use CNN's content, and student work could be used nationally.
Writing for Digital Media students in Prof. Sparks' classes tested their skills in the studio on Oct. 23. William Martin showed students how to use the equipment and talked about life behind the camera.
McMichael, Martin earn Film Certificates Staff members William Martin and Kareem McMichael earned their certifications from the Georgia Film Academy at Savannah Technical College. The program trains people for movie set production jobs.
Staff-produced 'Feed the Hungry' film wins awards The documentary Feed the Hungry: The Community Changer was produced by Kareem McMichael and William Martin. The film was released in April 2017 and it details the life of Georgia State Representative Carl Gilliard and his family creating the nonprofit Savannah Feed the Hungry while going through the recession. The film has been screened in 5 different film festivals and winning awards at two.
Staff member William Martin is producing a new promotional video for the department. Dr. Serajul Bhuiyan delivered his message for the video in October. Be ready for its debut soon.
Video editing pop-up class On Oct. 31, Prof. Tracy Haynes taught a pop-up class for students to learn more about video editing. Students enjoyed some pizza while they honed their skills.
Students in News Writing and Reporting covered the Sept. 28 Savannah City Council meeting, which addressed the renaming of the Talmadge Bridge. (Photo by Jason Miccolo Johnson)