Building a Case for Convergence Journalism Curriculum

Abstract

This paper examines the growth of convergence journalism training in the academy. It suggests that currently most programs with convergence curricula have implemented what could best be described as a multidisciplinary approach, which represents a lower level of integration across media. For instance, only two in ten heads of journalism divisions said they had substantially altered their curriculum to reflect the industry trend toward convergence, and most required students to specialize in a print, broadcast, or online track. It presents an interdisciplinary model, which is at a higher level of integration, as a better alternative for teaching convergence journalism.