JOMEC is one of the most highly regarded schools for journalism in the UK, and it was regretful this week to speak with students contemplating dropping out of their course.
Expectations of students enrolled on the BA Journalism, Film and Media course are high because of the course and school’s esteemed reputation. The frustrations lay particularly with those students wishing to pursue journalism modules who felt the media and cultural study-based modules offered in place to them were inadequate replacements. With popular jibes against media-related courses as ‘Mickey Mouse’ degrees, it was felt by some students that the lack of journalism modules watered down the high quality and standards that the BA course is renowned for.
Students are sympathetic towards the unprecedented and sad loss of lecturer James Thomas last summer, and the consequence implications this has had on their course. The response that JOMEC made to gair rhydd is clear in stating that time was the enemy in their attempts to recruit a new member of staff in time for the beginning of term.
Of course, it is not always possible for contingency plans to be made in case of unexpected occurrences, but the key element to handle such situations is good communication. Students can accept the facts, but when these facts are not communicated to them clearly, frustrations are inevitable.
