University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1912-12-12
FOUR JOURNALISM SCHOOLS
Western Writer Commends Work Being Done
at Missouri and Other Middle
Western Institutions.

1.-THE states Of the Middle West and
the Pacific Slope have been especially
forward in founding schools Of jour
nalism; and not merely in founding,
but also in developing them. Fifteen
state universities have such schools.
These schools have been the pioneers,
carried on the. experimenting. made
and rectified many Of the mistakes that
are inevitable in new undertakings. es-
tablished a tried pedagogical method
and grown into institutions that can
point the way to more moneyed fol-
lowers"
Prof. Robert w. Neal, who teaches
courses in journalism at the Massa-
chusetts Agricultural College at Am
herst, has written long article for
the Springfield (Mass.) Sunday Union
on four Middle Western schools Of
Missouri, Kansas, Kansas
Agricultural College and Wisconsin.
Professor Neal deals at length with
the schools of journalism in these un-
iversities, giving a good share Of his
space to Missouri.
MissOuri's Entrance Requirements.
Speaking Of entrance requirements.
Professor Neal says:
"In making two years of college
work prerequisite to enrolment, and
in prescribing three years of study
after enrolment, Missouri has estab-
lished it's school of journalism already
upon the foundation of the advanced
professional school, following the ex-
ample of the better schools of law and
medicine. One is reminded by this Of
the assertion credited to Walter Page
of The Worlds Work, that there
should be graduate professional
schools for would-be writer's and jour
nalists.
"The presence of strong element
of ethics applied and thearetic, in the
teaching of journalism" the article
continues, is one of the finest, one of
the most inspiring things revealed in
study of the western schools of jour-
nalism. This element brings into en-
phasis standards of individual convoc-
ton, of public duty, Of self-respect and
honor. The students are trained to
feel these things,-to feel them with
respect, to regard and observe them.
"At Manhattan, Kan. required
courses are given in newspaper law
and ethics, and in editorial theories
and practices. At Missouri, these mat
ters come before the student for spe-
cial attention. They are not merely
included in three definite courses, his
tory and principles of journalism
comparative journalism and the press
and public opinion.-but in all his
work as we'll. The realization that the
best ideals enter inevitably into every
thing that is done, impresses one al
every turn"
What the Future HOLDS.
Professor Neal thus concludes one
division of his article: Zone car
scarcely come away from these foul
schools of journalism unawed witt
the greatness of the work they have
undertaken and the ability, the en-
j 4thusiasm, the exalted ideals Of thu
workers through whom it is beine
done. The future of the most inter
esting and most influential.- land
know that many will agree with me II
saying, the most inspiring,-profes
sion that we have, is vastly surer be
cause of the schools of journalism"
Speaking of papers connected will
the schools, Professor Neal says, aftel
reference to the Cardinal, the studen
paper at the University of Wisconsin
But at Missouri, a further step ha'
been taken. Instead of depending OF
student-controlled paper for stat
positions in which 20 give actual ex
perience, the school establishes I
newspaper of its own. Unembarrass
ed by the need of serving special stu
dent ends the University Missourial
adopted an active news policy and be
. gan at once to cover city as we'll a
university news. 1t even for a tim
purchased a news service by wire
But one of the town papers, objectini
!, to its entrance into the home territory
I began a fight against it."
! The MissOurian's Place.
Professor Neal then discusses tn
local newspaper fight with the result