School of Communication

Sue Ellen Christian

Associate Professor

320 Sprau Tower
(269) 387-3110

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Education: M.A., University of Michigan
Areas of Expertise: Journalism

Sue Ellen Christian, M.A., Assistant Professor of Journalism, joined the faculty in 2001. She received her master's degree from the University of Michigan. Professor Christian's area of expertise is in newspaper reporting and writing, with an emphasis in health and minority issues. She teaches courses in news writing and reporting, news research and news and public affairs. Prior to joining the faculty, Professor Christian was a professional journalist and worked as a staff reporter at The Detroit News, Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune. She was a Casey Journalism Fellow and has won numerous awards for her writing and reporting, including the Chicago Headliner Award and the Golden Bell in Mental Health Reporting. In 2002, she will present at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and at the National Communication Association.

Teaching Philosophy

Given my background as a professional journalist, I approach each class as a lesson in real-life skills: How can I help students to think more critically? To write more clearly and succinctly? To organize their thoughts in a cogent, concise manner? I want my classes to have taught them communication skills that they can use regardless of their occupation.

That said, I think being a journalist is the greatest job around ?there is never a dull day, never the same day twice. I tell students if they are interested in meeting all sorts of people and asking them all sorts of questions they never imagined ? from how a deadbeat dad feels about his children to a scientist's explanation of what makes a healthy stem cell line ? then journalism is their calling. It is my passion for my craft that I try to instill in each class I teach.

Courses I Teach:

JRN 102: Introduction to News Writing

Introduction to News Writing seeks to provide students with a general understanding of the most up-to-date practices and principles of evaluating, gathering, processing and presenting information to general audiences. Particular emphasis is given to writing, reporting and producing content for print publications. However, the course is designed for all students interested in the communication process and information gathering techniques.

JRN 200: Journalism Research

Journalism Research focuses on gathering, selecting and synthesizing information from sources used in journalism research. The course emphasizes techniques necessary to gather information from the World Wide Web, online databases, government documents, public records and personal interviews. The course stresses a systematic approach to researching news issues and a critical analysis of standard newsgathering practices. The course adheres to the practices and standards of professional journalism and emphasizes fair, thorough and accurate reporting as well as deadline requirements.

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