University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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teaching assistant in the Department of Communications Studies helps Jennifer Genovese and Evan Gallinson with a computer program. After being reviewed by an LSA faculty committee, it was decided that there needed to be major changes in the curriculum. While some students and professors thought the changes were beneficial, others, especially those faculty members who lost their jobs, thought the changes undermined a solid and successful program. )Q + Department of Communication Studies

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story by douq Steven . ' layout fy emrrur cartwrujhr Undergraduate students pursuing higher educations were constantly in search of the perfect class. They often looked for a class which didn ' t meet on Fridays, wasn ' t scheduled before noon, or was taught by a reputed easy grader. They searched for those courses that weren ' t particularly rigorous and didn ' t require hundreds of pages of reading per week. Oddly enough, two of the most popular classes at the University didn ' t fit any of these qualifications. In fact, both U.S. History 1901-1933 and U.S. History 1933 to the present were notoriously demanding courses. What was the huge draw to these courses? The answer was quite obvious they were taught by Professor Sidney Fine. In addition to being one of the most renowned and respected historians in the nation, it was Fine ' s itiq i and eMtlw tiadm for teaching that made him a remarkable professor. Fine, who began teaching history at the University in 1948, had clearly maintained his love for the classroom and his students. This was never more evident than in 1991 when the 70 year- old Fine decided to stay in the classroom after successfully fighting a Michigan law requiring all rofessor Sidney Fine answers questions from one of his students, junior Andy Shotwell. I put a lot of effort into my teaching and research, Fine explained. I revise my lectures every term and try to read all of the new books in my field to see what has changed. I love what I do. Joshua Greenberg Joshua Greenberg state employees to retire at the age of 70. Fine was invited to Lansing to witness the signing of the idsiey tyweJlaw- which abolished age limits for the state ' s employees. Fine, who won the prestigious Henry Russel Lecturer Award for 1984-1985 (given annually to the top professor in the entire University), consistently put in 70 hour work weeks. In fact, in 1993, Fine was awarded one of the University ' s highest honors: the Golden Apple Award. This award, presented by the students, proved he mo tUanj anacco pl m- w a an Quidkiwlitui l lmueM4iii pA ledA i ' . I take a lot of pride in winning the Russel and Golden Apple Awards and being the only faculty member to win both, Fine explained. It is satisfying that students still think I ' m earning my keep. Fine ' s classes were often so popular that students encountered waitlists for them . Those that were able to enjoy his class found out firsthand how vast his knowledge was. I think he has an interesting perspective and can speak iror p id Hale pe ueHceon topics as far back as the Great Depression and the New Deal, LSA senior Jonathan Winick explained. He is one of the few professors at this University who genuinely enjoys teaching undergrads. Junior history major Paul Goldstein agrees. He ' s very friendly and approachable. He walks around before every lecture saying hello to students and takes a real interest in them. When he retires it will be a great loss. Fine ' s fellow historians clearly voice the same enthusiasm when describing their colleague. I think the fact that he displays to the students his earnestness and eagerness is what makes him a great professor, said Tom Collier, a fellow history colleague. + Sidney Fine 59

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. story by lessica 1 foyout emma cartwrujfit ' Dramatic changes occurred in the Department of Communication Studies during 1996. CcwfaM idy asi de as the University undertook a comprehensive review of the Communica- tions Department and its programs. An LSA Faculty Advisory Committee, with members representing a variety of disciplines including communications, found the department -- although small by college standards -- was attempting to do too many things insufficiently related to one another, with too few tenure-track faculty to be successful in all of its programs, said Department Head Vincent Price. The University felt tkz d patitme it4 on p -pM eMJanal and esi l a ifo miMum oLJ}A. They believed that the Communications Department was doing too much to prepare students to get a job, and not enough to educate them in the liberal arts tradition. The committee found that the undergraduate canceMJsitfii M, w-aA- liswctu iedl p du,. Stu- dents were not able to develop and refine their knowledge by building upon skills in each course. The faculty contained more lecturers and adjunct teachers then tenure-track faculty and its division of purpose placed it at a significant disadvantage; lib- eral arts education, and doctoral education are gener- ally linked very tightly, added Price. The University is definitely based upon hierar- chy. The mo4i jMu ii ' oile a ie the, he spirit driving the University is interested in theory. They don ' t believe theory, history and practice can be integrated. Their vision is looking backwards, instead of forwards. The University is saying you can ' t combine a hands-on theory with contemporary theory which is a joke. Richard Campbell former professor of communications Students and faculty are at the bottom of the ladder. Even though the University claims to have spoken with the students, the students are not included in reports used to make decisions, said Richard Campbell, a former communica- tions professor who lost his job due to these changes. Following, Campbell taught courses in the School of Art. Gabriel M. Correa The University recognized thzvu uy ( Im UOHCe of communication studies and decided that the program should be continued, but that its position in the field should be strengthened. Thus, the Communications Department became the Department of Communica- tion Studies, as it underwent many changes. Communications courses focused more on the study of mass communication as a social phenomenon, and were instructed by a tenure-track faculty. All journalism based classes were eliminated. Due to this change of focus, seven lecturers who taught applied classes were fired. Faculty members who worked within the Department of Communication Studies were upset with the change. According to these faculty members, the communications program looked more like a political science or psychology department. The spirit driving the University is interested in theory. They don ' t believe Ut C u , wAJ Uj, atul psiactice can be integrated. Their vision is looking backwards, instead of forwards. The University is saying you can ' t combine a hands- on theory with contemporary theory which is a joke, concluded Campbell. Department of Communication Studies 61