Implementation of ACEJMC's Professional Values and Competencies Expressed as Departmental Goals and Objectives

Goal 1. Students will develop an awareness and appreciation of the foundations of the First Amendment and ethical issues in the media.

Objectives:

1. Students will be able to trace the history and development of freedom of speech and press and will demonstrate an understanding of the origins, functions, and evolution of the First Amendment.
2. When presented with a case study, students will be able to identify ethical issues involved, critically analyze these issues, and identify the philosophical and professional considerations that underpin their analyses.
3. Students will implement ethical behaviors in their own practice of journalism, public relations, or media research.
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the legal rights of freedom of speech and press, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.

Goal 2. Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically, creatively and independently.

Objectives:

1. Student papers and stories will show evidence of critical analysis and creative thought.
2. Students will be able to answer questions showing they follow, contextualize, and think critically about local, national and international news.
3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply news values when producing stories and public relations materials.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to conceive of and implement meaningful projects independently.

Goal 3. Students will demonstrate the ability to write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for scholarly research as well as the communication professions, audiences and purposes they serve.

Objectives:

1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in English grammar and mechanics.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to write cogent, clear and concise prose.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to write in forms and styles appropriate to the topic, audience and outlet.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate their own and others' work for accuracy and fairness, clarity, style and grammatical correctness.

Goal 4. Students will develop an awareness and appreciation of the diversity of groups in a global society in relationship to communications.

Objectives:

1. Students will be able to make presentations emphasizing global diversity with respect to media and communications technology.
2. Students will include in their stories and papers material that addresses diverse perspectives.

Goal 5. Students will demonstrate the ability to gather and critically evaluate in-depth information from diverse sources.

Objectives:

1. Students will demonstrate the ability to gather and evaluate in-depth information from diverse, field-appropriate books, journals, databases and Internet sources.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to locate, interview, generate useful information and accurately report material from appropriate live sources.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.

Goal 6. Students will develop an understanding of the history and development of communication technologies and processes and the ways in which this history has affected individuals and society.

Objectives:

1. Students will be able to identify key events in the history of communications.
2. In papers or presentations, students will demonstrate an awareness of the ways in which the development of communication technologies has impacted individuals and society.

Goal 7. Students will demonstrate the ability to produce news stories, public relations materials or media analyses that are clear, accurate, thorough, cogent and fair.

Objectives:

1. Students will develop accurate and fair news stories across a variety of journalistic media.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to understand concepts and apply theory in the presentation of images and information.
3. Students will create public relations materials on behalf of clients that communicate targeted messages and reach multiple audiences.
4. Students will be able to write and deliver scholarly papers analyzing the role of traditional and new media in today's society.

Goal 8. Students will demonstrate an understanding of current media technologies and their capabilities, limitations and implications from multiple perspectives, including that of producer, participant and audience.

Objectives:

1. Students will exercise judgment in selecting technology appropriate to the message and audience, and understand the implications of those choices.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to use current tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.