Journalism Schools in Russia: Professional Expertise Experience

Abstract

The study examined the qualitative originality, current state, and problems of improving journalism education in Russia. In broad terms, this topic determined the content of the research project "Theoretical and Educational Schools of Journalism in Russia" initiated and implemented at St. Petersburg State University with the participation of other domestic and foreign universities. Highlighting the school of journalism as an independent object of study, identifying and emphasizing its features of originality, project participants thus relate it to the models that deny global standardization. The authors of the article recognize the variability of approaches to education under the influence of fundamental shifts in practice and the current market conjuncture, at the same time they emphasize the significance of constant characteristics of the school phenomenon. The article is based on the materials of expert interviews, which are an integral part of the project program. The experts are the heads and leading employees of educational organizations for training journalists. Experts identified the mandatory components of theoretical and educational schools, revealed the features of their fundamental similarities and differences, and discussed the prospects and difficulties of their qualitative growth under the pressure of market conditions, unification, and commercialization of education. The training of journalists in higher education is viewed in the light of the cultural traditions of national education, press, and journalism. The school appears as an integral phenomenon in its fundamental characteristics and at the same time as a variety of specific manifestations (schools) that have developed under the influence of personal, regional, historical, cultural, and other factors. The possibility and feasibility of a monographic study of the Russian theoretical and educational school of journalism as an independent and unique phenomenon in international professional educational practice are revealed. The genesis and functioning of domestic journalism schools are presented in comparison with the experience and pedagogical ideologies of foreign universities.