Scholastic Journalism 2004 Abstracts
Scholastic Journalism Division
One body, four photos, and third-person effect: A teaching formula destined to lessen student support for press access to public records? • David Cuillier, Washington State University • Given the increasing closure of government records, college journalism students are in greater need than ever of developing an appreciation for open government and skills in acquiring access to documents and meetings. Applying third-person effect theory and research from the support for free-epression literature, this paper suggests that the way freedom of information is taught might actually lessen student journalists’ support for press access to records. Suggestions for research and pedagogical approaches are provided.
Transmission down the line: Teacher motivation, student motivation and teacher-course evaluations • Vincent F. Filak, Ball State University; and Kennon M. Sheldon, University of Missouri at Columbia • Does academic motivation go “down the line,” from administrators to teachers to students? We tested a two-level path model based on self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985, 2000), using a sample of 220 introductory journalism students nested within 14 different course instructors. In the best-fitting model, perceived autonomy-support from administrators predicted self-determined instructor motivation. In turn, self-determined instructors provided more autonomy support to their students, which then predicted more self-determined course motivation in students.
I think I can write, but grammar confuses me: Pre-JMC students’ high school and college language skill instruction, perceptions of self-efficacy, and variables that predict success on a required language skills exam • Peter Gade, University of Oklahoma • This study explores the perceptions of students entering JMC programs on their experiences in English courses in high school and college, the extent of their language skill instruction, and their sense of language skills self-efficacy. This study finds that students are not getting much grammar and basic language instruction in their college composition courses. For scholastic educators, this study suggests that they do their students a service if they make a considerable effort to teach the basics of the English language.
Transmitting the media hierarchy for athletics coverage: Gender and racial diversity in sports journalism textbooks • Marie Hardin, Pennsylvania State University; Kim Lauffer, Towson University and Julie E. Dodd, University of Florida • This study examines images in sports journalism textbooks for their depictions of females, minorities and people with disabilities. Textbook photographs are powerful, memorable transmitters of cultural values to students. This research found that these textbook photos emphasize hegemonic values, such as the general marginalization and stereotyping of female athletes and the complete exclusion of people with disabilities. The authors suggest ways textbook authors and editors can improve the books and ways sports journalism instructors can incorporate more progressive values into their instruction.
Must We Print Both Sides? The Viewpoint-Neutrality Quagmire In Public School-Sponsored Forums • Dan Kozlowski, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • In Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the student newspaper under question was a nonpublic forum. Although public forum analysis usually includes an examination of viewpoint-neutrality, the Hazelwood Court concluded its analysis without any such discussion. The omission has resulted in a split in the federal courts of appeals. The U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Sixth, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits continue to require viewpoint-neutral regulation, while the First, Third, and Tenth Circuits eliminated the requirement in school-sponsored nonpublic forums. This paper examines the decisions of the six cases in the federal courts of appeals, concluding that the First, Third, and Tenth Circuits offered the more accurate interpretation of Hazelwood.
Making Their Way In The World: Journalism Students’ Globalization Awareness • Lyle D. Olson and John E. Getz, South Dakota State University • Globalization — and all of its ramifications — is a reality journalism and mass communication schools must address. A survey at a Midwestern university revealed statistically significant findings related to students’ level of global awareness and their college newspaper experience. The survey also found that students understand the value of a global mindset but are not particularly globally astute. The authors recommend six strategies to increase students’ globalization awareness.
Speaking Up in Class: A Quantitative Analysis of High School Environments and Student Attitudes About Free Expression • Neil Ralston, Northwestern State University • More than 1,000 high school graduates were surveyed to determine what connections, if any, existed between the students’ attitudes regarding free expression and several other variables. Among the findings were that students were more likely to support free expression if they obtained most of their news from print media, if they believed they had “total” or “a lot” of freedom of expression in high school, and if they worked on a school newspaper.
Using Writing to Predict Students’ Choice of Majors • Eric M. Wiltse, University of Wyoming • This predictive study examines whether discriminant analysis results can classify students enrolled in communication courses into their majors. Predictor variables were writing apprehension, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, skills and experience. The study correctly classified 53% of the participants as journalism, communication or non-majors. Discriminant analysis found that writing apprehension, self-efficacy and experience were positive predictors of academic major.
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