Assessing Cross-cultural Learning and the Effects of Personality and Negative Attitudes on Journalism Students' Knowledge

Abstract

This study uses a pre-test/post-test design to assess student learning of cross-cultural journalism principles and to determine if students with intolerant personality types (RWA and SDO) learn differently. Findings show that knowledge increased from Time 1 to Time 2. Personality type was associated with beliefs about diversity's importance to industry, but not to knowledge. As journalists set the tone for conversations about class, race, and gender, it is of consequence to understand how students enter these conversations.

Perceptions of Cultural Competence Among Students, Staff, and Faculty in a School of Journalism and Mass Communications

“…JMC educators have reported the outcomes of specific assignments or courses dedicated to enhancing students’ levels of cultural competence. For instance, students enrolled in a cross-cultural journalism course enhanced their understanding of core concepts of cross-cultural journalism throughout the semester (Len-Ríos & Perry, 2009). At another university, students who took part in a five-session intercultural program displayed overall significantly higher levels of intercultural competence than they had prior to completing the program (Velten & Dodd, 2016).…”