Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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-m /tt^T they said it \\ la I “By giving us the opinions of the la / ■ I W uneducated, (journalism) keeps us in toucf »/ I I /% with the ignorance of the community.’ I V I I / % OSCAR WILD! A * —■— m ^ ^ IRISH WRITEF Part of an occasional series The future is iual ^ -mammmmr • | . a * f J i nil Vance Kornegay, chairman of the Advertising and Public Relations sequence at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, teaches students in his computer graphics for mass media class. The new visual communications sequence admitted 21 students this year. Ever-evolving Journalism school takes leap with new visual communications major By MARIA CHARLES THE GAMECOCK The USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications has come a long way, from humble *■ beginnings. Starting with eight students in the fall of 1923 and offering only 13 courses, the school consisted of four rooms in a house on the Horseshoe. Today, the J-school (as it is often referred to) occupies the bottom of the Carolina Coliseum, and last year 1,519 undergraduates and 77 graduate students called it home. The school boasts famous graduates such as Leeza Gibbons, Rita Cosby and Jim Hoagland. Considering that a journalist’s job , changes with the times, the School of Journalism has been constantly evolving over the past 81 years to reflect innovations within the industry. When the school began, journalism was “rooted in word oriented reporting,” associate professor and Chairman of the Advertising and Public Relations Sequence Vance Kornegay said. In fact, the School of Journalism did not acquire typewriters until 1927 and even then students were charged a $5 fee to use them. But, the field of journalism continued to grow. “As electronic journalism evolved, journalists started training to write for the ear, with radio and training to write for the ear and the eye with television,” Kornegay said. Student journalists are learning to further visual storytelling with a new major approved this summer. Visual Communications prepares students to become photojournalists and work in the field of multimedia and graphic design. Before, journalism students chose from four areas of emphasis: print, electronic, advertising and public relations. Students who enjoyed the more visual aspect of journalism like page layout and photo editing took electives in that area but could not choose it as their main focus. “Visual Communications stands on its own. The student chooses through electives how it will be tailored,” Kornegay said. Core classes within the major include Photography, Basic Graphic Design, Computer Graphics, Photo Editing and Informational Graphics. The student is required to take all the core journalism classes but can focus his or her major on an area of emphasis by taking electives in the print, electronic, advertising or public relations sequences. Students can apply to be accepted into the Visual Communications major by filling out a Change of Major form and returning the form to the Student Services Office in room 4001 of the Coliseum. About 21 journalism students transferred to the Visual Communications program this year. This new approach to the more visual side of journalism follows the demands of the public, many of whom find charts, graphs and pictures a more pleasing and less time consuming- way to interpret news. According to stateofthenewsmedia.org, most people get their daily news from television. And while traditional news outlets (network and local television and newspapers) are losing their traditional audiences, online, ethnic and alternative media audiences are growing. These three outlets allow people to tailor the content of their news and customize news to their personal tastes. Kornegay is • not surprised. He predicts that in another 75 years a trend of “demassification.” “There will be more individualization of news and less and less emphasis on public discourse: politics, economics, environment, this will be marginalized. Personal things like health, entertainment and movies will be accentuated,” Kornegay said. He cites Neil Postman, who believed American is becoming.a “trivialized society.” “This is reflected in the news and media,” Kornegay said. Not only does the way people receive news fluctuate, but perceptions of the press shift as well. For the past 20 years, public attitudes about the press have been declining. But, USC journalists like second-year electronic student Kristen Cook plan to change that notion and restore credibility. “My studies at USC have prepared me to not only get used to new advancements in journalism, but have trained me to use good ethics and look at both sides of a story,” Cook said. Proof that while a journalist’s job may change, the standards remain the same. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc. edu SHOW PREVIEW Five Foot Flame returns to Columbia with new sound By MEG MOORE THE GAMECOCK They’ve released two well-received EPs and performed at a slew of regional venues. The Gainesville Times likened them to The Strokes, touting the band’s ability “to create eclectic tunes about people, places and dreams.” Returning to the New Brookland Tavern stage this Friday, Atlanta-based rockers The Five Foot Flame are setting Southeast area stages on fire — musically speaking. Not bad for a group which includes the ex-member of a Rush tribute band. U! __ > wu i iiauiv names,” singer/guitarist Nathan Woody said. “You know what they say about hindsight.” Formed in Atlanta more than a year ago, The Five Foot Flame has been busy shopping its sound around to an ever widening fan base. “We are getting out of town more and more and love the change of scenery,” Woody said. While the band has yet to go full out rock star with a list of backstage requirements, it does have its on-the-road essentials: “Coffee and gasoline. In that order,” Woody said. “Even if it means breaking down halfway between Augusta and Atlanta.” But they do hope their rock star time will come. Between ‘fame’ and ‘fortune,’ “I think ‘fortune’ is probably the word we focus on most. We like to repeat it in unison at meals. That or ‘cold hard cash,”’ Woody joked. “Really, we would love to make it a career, and I think that is the dream for most musicians, but right now we still contend with the ever-present day job.” Friday’s show will be somewhat of a hometown eie for Woody and drummer Clint Martin. The _two became friends while music students at USC. According to Woody, “Cola town is very near and dear to us.” If there is a downside to _l_: - _ j rolling, Woody explained, it’s having to deal with the “the money grubbers” and their skewed views of the craft: “Some people have simply become jaded old crones of the music business. It’s really too bad because it spoils the experience for those that really love it for what it is, art and entertainment.” For Woody, Martin and bassist Mike Bentley, who rounds out the trio, the music is what keeps them cranking out the times. “Performing and recording — Both are such exhilarating experiences,” he said. “1 highly recommend that musicians do both frequently.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatres®gwm.sc. edu IF YOU’RE GOING WHAT: Testing Ground with The Letter Red, In My Trunk, Olympia Press and Five Foot Flame WHERE: New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St. $5 21+, $7 under 21 WHEN: 6 p.m. PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK Former USC music students Nathan Woody, singer/guitar, and Clint Martin, drummer, join bassist Mike Bentlyto make up the band Five Foot Flame. The trio will continue their regional tour at the New Brookland Tavern Friday night.