Lessons from PhDigital Bootcamp: Preparing Future Faculty to Lead Emerging Media Curriculum
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Authors
Cindy Royal
Qun Wang
Kate Keib
Michael Buozis
Jason Lee Guthrie
Andrew Shumway
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Type
Journal Article, Public or Trade Journal
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Abstract
The state of doctoral education in media and mass communication programs is at a crossroads. Few programs prepare future faculty to participate with current, digital topics. But job descriptions for tenure-track faculty list digital skills as required competencies for many positions. While many defend the doctorate as a research degree, the majority of tenured and tenure-track faculty also teach and are often hired for what they can teach. And media programs are struggling with modernizing their curricula. How will doctoral graduates ascend to the tenure track and be able to recommend curriculum reform when they are not being prepared for the role of curriculum innovator nor exposed to modern media curriculum and research topics? This article highlights the reflections and experiences of six doctoral students and early career faculty from a digital-product-focused workshop and provides insight into resolving gaps that exist in doctoral education.