From Studies of Journalism to Journalism Studies: Defining a Field and its Core Propositions

• In Event: The Study of Journalism as a Field: Capturing a Moving Target

Abstract

Journalism studies has grown dramatically in the past two decades, offering an apropo moment to reflect on this vein of research and its contribution to the communication discipline. Too often, we argue, a lack of shared definitions and conceptual frameworks has muddied distinctions between “journalism studies” and “studies of journalism” more generally. This raises the question: What distinguishes journalism studies as a scholarly project? In this article, we define and delineate journalism studies as a distinct field of scholarship in its own right. In tracking the development of journalism studies and its literatures, we articulate a series of six conceptual propositions: contextual sensitivity, holistic relationality, comparative inclination, normative awareness, embedded communicative power, and methodological pluralism. These interrelated features accentuate the core dimensions of journalism studies, establishing the boundaries of the field and its relational, cultural, holistic, ecological, and contextual acts of scholarship.

Authors

• Matt Carlson, Saint Louis U

• Sue Robinson, U of Wisconsin-Madison

• Seth C. Lewis, U of Oregon

• Daniel A. Berkowitz, U of Iowa