One of the most important definitions of a university is that it is (should be?) "a place were new knowledge is made."  For decades, journalism schools and departments have been content to present the old vocational school model: "Gee, whatever the profession wants, that's what we'll teach." 

The problem is that the profession is relatively anti-intellectual (i.e. reluctant to explore new ideas that could be applied to understanding and communicating socio-political-economic and cultural phenomena) and it has refused to invest serious, long-term money in trying to understand the changing information environment.

Our friend Cole Campbell, one of the most perceptive and articulate people in journalism, and his colleagues at the University of Nevada-Reno are trying to make some changes in the mossy traditions of journalism education.  The key phrase in the announcement below is "experimenting with and creating new forms of journalism."   Good on ya, folks.  Let's hear about more experimentation.

"Interactive Environmental Journalism:

Now accepting applications