2008 Woodie Awards
Shorthanded in Mass Communications
With over 60 majors, some say that more faculty is needed for growing program
Robert Sanders
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: News
Once touted as the "Black Princeton," Lincoln University has long prided itself on being the leader among Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
But some students say that Lincoln is having trouble meeting the needs of their students and they use as an example, the Department of English and Mass Communications.
Currently, there are only a total of five Mass Communications professors for the more than 68 Mass Communications majors. The number of professors, which only include three full-time instructors, seems disproportionate when compared to the 23 English professors for the eight English Majors. As a result, English professors have in the past taught Mass Communications courses.
Students like Helene Philagene says that the university should hire more faculty for one of its fastest growing programs on campus. "First they close the library and now they can't even hire enough teachers," she says.
Chinomso Nwachuku says that he was dismayed to learn that his Mass Communications course last year was taught by an English professor who had very little training in Mass Communications.
"It's hurting the students because you have English professors teaching Mass Communications courses," says Nwachuku, who adds that he plans on attending law school after his tenure at Lincoln and became a Mass Communications major to improve his writing skills. "I'm taking Advanced News Writing now and I feel like I'm missing out because the professor for my Intro to News Writing course last year taught straight from the book rather than from knowledge and experience."
Philagene and others says that solving the problem in the Mass Communications department is easy: hire more professors.
But Dr. Marilyn D. Button, the chair of the English Department says that the Mass Communications program was understaffed last year, causing some English professors to teach Mass Communication courses at the very last minute. With two new hires this academic year, the issue, she says, has been rectified.
But some students say that Lincoln is having trouble meeting the needs of their students and they use as an example, the Department of English and Mass Communications.
Currently, there are only a total of five Mass Communications professors for the more than 68 Mass Communications majors. The number of professors, which only include three full-time instructors, seems disproportionate when compared to the 23 English professors for the eight English Majors. As a result, English professors have in the past taught Mass Communications courses.
Students like Helene Philagene says that the university should hire more faculty for one of its fastest growing programs on campus. "First they close the library and now they can't even hire enough teachers," she says.
Chinomso Nwachuku says that he was dismayed to learn that his Mass Communications course last year was taught by an English professor who had very little training in Mass Communications.
"It's hurting the students because you have English professors teaching Mass Communications courses," says Nwachuku, who adds that he plans on attending law school after his tenure at Lincoln and became a Mass Communications major to improve his writing skills. "I'm taking Advanced News Writing now and I feel like I'm missing out because the professor for my Intro to News Writing course last year taught straight from the book rather than from knowledge and experience."
Philagene and others says that solving the problem in the Mass Communications department is easy: hire more professors.
But Dr. Marilyn D. Button, the chair of the English Department says that the Mass Communications program was understaffed last year, causing some English professors to teach Mass Communication courses at the very last minute. With two new hires this academic year, the issue, she says, has been rectified.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Ileana Weston
posted 4/19/08 @ 1:04 AM EST
Wonderful, well thought out observation from a very talented nephew. I am VERY proud of you.
Miss you
spillz13@yahoo.com
Zchagiel
posted 4/29/08 @ 2:12 AM EST
First, as a former Communication major I empathize with all those who feel "shorthanded" and inconvenienced by the English and Mass Communications department. (Continued…)
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