January 19, 2007

The Real Who, What, When, and Why of Journalism

By SONYA HUBER-HUMES

During the 2005-6 academic year, I taught journalism at a large, public university, where I also served as the adviser for its large-circulation student newspaper. I wondered then and I wonder now whether we are equipping students to become the kind of thoughtful, creative reporters we need to help us make sense of an increasingly chaotic world.

My own hectic teaching life replicated the hectic daily news cycle at the paper. I went to work every day, got caffeinated, and accomplished