Newsletter of the American Journalism Historians Association Intelligencerajhaonline.org ♦ @AJHAsocial Vol. 32 ♦ No. 3 ♦ Summer 2016 President’s Column First undergraduate media history course inspired career as media history scholar s an early The explanation I was given is one that 1990s under- we have heard before, especially those of graduate us who teach in departments or schools Astudent in Mississippi with no existing media history course or State’s Department of have seen those courses threatened with Communication, I took removal: “It’s the 21st century; we need to be my first media history looking forward, not backwards.” Pete Smith course. It was your That statement makes me wonder if the Mississippi typical survey course— powers-that-be who make those decisions State we moved at breakneck think that journalism is created and exists University speed covering topics in a vacuum. The historical record, as we all and time periods that know, gives the story depth and meaning; spanned hundreds of years, from the it is, like all pieces of evidence that go into This special “teaching issue” of the Intelli- printing press to 1980s technology—but I a larger narrative, an important element in gencer includes essays from four members was hooked nonetheless. Indeed, that class the discovery of truth. “I find there is a thin, of the Education Committee, discussing the would help sustain my interest in media penetrable membrane between journalism challenges of incorporating history in the history as I pondered and cultivated my and history,” journalist and historian curriculum and tips for teaching history. See the essays on pages 10-13. graduate school research interests. (Wade) Hampton Sides said. “I gather a When I was hired as an assistant lot of strength and professional inspiration professor by my home department almost from passing back and forth across it.” Table of Contents a decade later, I wanted to add that media This is not to say that department, history class to my teaching load, but it since school, and/or university administrators 3 Convention survey had been deleted from the curriculum. Continued on page 2 4 Member news Would you like to be the next Intelligencer editor? 5 Engagement week 6 Historical sites in Prague The American Journal- timely publication. because the position 7 ism Historians Association Serving as editor has naturally involves com- British Library invites candidates to apply to the following benefits: municating with re- 9 IALJS, ICA conferences serve as editor of the organi- • Having leading media searchers, educators, 10 Historical data journalism zation’s quarterly newsletter, historians in your net- and innovators. History in non-history The Intelligencer. This im- work of contacts, which The successful applicant 11 portant quarterly newsletter proves invaluable at will be skilled at writing, ed- courses Digital history sources includes a variety of material, promotion time and iting, and design. Applicants 12 such as convention informa- also leads to exciting should submit a CV, a letter Access to history courses tion, news about members, research opportunities. that explains why they would 14 Member testimonials details about grants and • Serving as an auxiliary make an effective editor, and 16 Dissertation awards awards, and essays on teach- member of the AJHA a letter of support from their ing and research. Board of Directors, chair or dean to Publications 18 “Picturing Texas Politics” The editor is respon- which is impressive to Committee Chair Paulette AEJMC book awards 20 sible for soliciting articles, many institutions. D. Kilmer, paulette.kilmer@ Book notes editing copy, laying out the • Staying on the cutting utoledo.edu. Challenges of marketing publication, and working edge of new devel- The deadline for appli- 21 with the web editor to ensure opments in the field cations is July 5. the second edition 2 ♦ Summer 2016 President’s Column Intelligencer Some of my favorite submitted to our dean last Undergraduate pieces include a 2010 article year. I encourage all AJHA Continued from page 1 by Nathan Michael Corzine members to continue AJHA Officers have not had to make in the Journal of Social to be as persistent, even some tough choices History, which I use to relentless, in our mission President regarding media history frame our discussion about to preserve or resurrect Pete Smith courses, particularly in magazine advertisements’ media history courses in Mississippi State light of drastic budget role in reinforcing our curricula. This task cuts and the need to traditional gender roles, means that we will need to First Vice President keep up with an evolving and Jennifer Frost’s 2008 continue to argue against David Vergobbi digital media landscape. article in the Journal any further attempts to Utah At the same time, of African American diminish or eliminate media though, media history History, for discussing the history courses from the Second Vice President courses are too often intersection between news curricula (a difficult task, Dianne Bragg treated as dead weight. framing, visual media and I know, given the financial Alabama Like free electives, they stereotypes. and political culture on are usually among the first We many college campuses), Administrative Secretary departmental courses on and we must continue to the “chopping block” and travel to and work with Carol Sue Humphrey will need the most difficult to try to other mass communication Oklahoma Baptist revive, if at all. to continue and journalism academ- When those courses ic organizations to Treasurer are cut, those of us to argue against demonstrate the impor- James Aucoin who specialize in some any attempts to tance of our research and South Alabama aspect(s) of media mission statement. In history are left to make eliminate media the meantime, continue our own tough choices, to share your teaching squeezing our own history courses resources and ideas with Intelligencer is the research interests and from the each other. quarterly newsletter of knowledge into existing As I have, perhaps the American Journalism non-history journalism or curricula. you have occasionally thought about the choices Historians Association, media courses. In my upper-level you would have made as published in December, undergraduate Mass Me- At first, I was cynical a young scholar had you March, June and dia & Society course, for about my chances of getting not taken that first media September. example, we explore issues the students to read the history course—or if that of race, class and gender articles and engage in class. course had not been an Editor & Designer: and how contemporary I have been pleasantly option on the schedule at Erika J. Pribanic-Smith, entertainment and news surprised, though, at how all. And, like me, perhaps University of Texas- programming frames, and easily students have taken you have come to realize Arlington marginalizes, those of us to the material and our use that those choices do not who may not fit within the of historical research to seem nearly as satisfying or Deadline for the next boundaries of what society explore race, gender and appealing as your career as issue is Sept. 1. Submit deems “normal.” class issues. a media history scholar. stories or member notes As a point of As rewarding as this If so, let’s use that experience has been, I do realization, and our passion to Erika Pribanic-Smith at comparison between the past and the present, I have not intend it as a permanent for media history, to ensure [email protected]. students read historical solution to the issues that the next generation academic articles and use brought up in this column. of undergraduate and Previous issues of the the examples therein to give I designed a media history graduate students have at Intelligencer are available them a sense of context and course that was included least the option of taking at ajhaonline.org. appreciation for current in the graduate program their first media history events and struggles. proposal my department course. Intelligencer AJHA News Summer 2016 ♦ 3 Convention survey recommendations produce action The AJHA officers, board, and committee chairs are working together to reduce the cost to Plated three-course meal members of attending the annual convention. Registration fees increased in Full dinner buffet 2015 to be sure the convention Erika J. could pay for itself. Meanwhile, the Heavy hors Pribanic- cost per night to stay in historic d’oeuvres Smith hotels where the conventions take University place has steadily increased. Light hors of Texas at After the AJHA officers and d’oeuvres Arlington board fielded numerous comments and complaints regarding the cost to members of recent conventions, President Pete Smith Other tasked the Long-Range Planning Committee with investigating how planners of the annual convention 10% 20% 30% 40% might reduce costs while still providing members with Forty percent of respondents expressed preference for a plated three- a convention experience that meets their needs. course meal at the gala dinner, and it was the only meal for which respon- In December and January, the Committee Chair dents preferred that format. For the Donna Allen luncheon, respondents Erika Pribanic-Smith and Amy Lauters conducted would prefer a buffet, salad, or boxed lunch, and they would prefer heavy a survey of members to determine what traditional or light hors d’oeuvres for the reception. elements of an AJHA convention are essential, what could be scaled back, and what could be eliminated. Ninety-four AJHA members completed the survey. Respondents indicated that they generally are pleased Less than $20 with the convention offerings, but they had suggestions for improvement and potential cost savings. Based on the responses the committee received, $20-29 Pribanic-Smith and Lauters submitted to the board the following recommendations: 1. The Convention Sites Committee needs to be $30-39 cognizant of affordability and accessibility (especially ease of transportation) when choosing the city.