University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication
http://www.uiowa.edu/jmc/
Mission Statement
(ADOPTED 3/28/03)
School of Journalism & Mass Communication, The University of Iowa
The mission of our School is to educate journalism and mass communication professionals, scholars, and faculty. Through professional and creative research activities, they enhance a continually growing and evolving understanding of the social and cultural roles, responsibilities, and contexts for communicators in a democratic society, as well as in diverse global contexts.
To accomplish our mission at the undergraduate and master’s professional levels and to prepare our students for careers in the journalism and mass communication professions, we seek to help our students:
value free speech and First Amendment principles for all individuals and groups, a diverse global community, creativity and independence, and truth, accuracy and fairness.
learn to write correctly, clearly and well, to conduct research and gather information responsibly, to edit and evaluate with care, to use media technologies thoughtfully, and to apply statistical and numerical concepts accurately.
explore theories and concepts, the history, structure and economy of media institutions, and the role of media in shaping cultures.
To accomplish our mission at the master’s thesis and doctoral levels, we seek to help our students:
become scholars who will enrich knowledge and enhance understanding of media and mass communication processes, institutions, and actors.
develop historical, legal, critical, visual, contemporary, and emerging theoretical approaches that will offer ways to examine media and mass communication in terms of their changing role in the maintenance and reproduction of cultures and societies.
prepare for careers as educators, researchers and professionals in a variety of settings, both in the United States and abroad.
To accomplish our mission among our faculty, we seek to encourage:
ongoing research into historical, legal, critical, visual, contemporary, and emerging aspects of journalism, mass communication and media cultures, and widespread dissemination of that scholarship in academic, as well as professional venues.
active application and enhancement of concepts and skills in the professional aspects of journalism, mass communication and the media.
regular interaction with the people and organizations who create media and mass communication content.
continued growth and development as educators in professional, as well as scholarly dimensions of journalism and mass communication.