FIMS courses run the gambit from covering the realities of global communication to the ever-popular Tales of Tinseltown, all offering valuable insights and learning experiences. You voted, FIMS, and here are your favourite courses.
The following courses were voted as the favourite of the year: Continue reading
The mitZine isn’t in Kansas anymore. That’s right, the Zine is now in technicolour – or should I say, technocolour? Inside this month’s issue you’ll find a special article by FIMS’ own upper-year instructor of the year Selma Purac, the mitZine awards, political cartoons (a Zine first), as well as all the social, political, and entertainment commentary we all know and love the Zine for. This issue is a feast for the eyes and the brain that you don’t want to miss out on. Pick it up this week in the UCC and NCB or read it after the jump. Continue reading
The CDC information session will be held tomorrow, March 26th at 12:30 in NCB room 114.
In recent faculty news, FIMS has decided to introduce a new Certificate in Digital Communications (CDC). Akin to a certificate in Writing or Professional Communication, FIMS’s CDC will be made available to Western students at large, including FIMS students, with the exception of those in MTP. Upon completing the certificate, students will graduate with an extra (and free) sheet of paper—and, more importantly, a line on their résumé—that indicates that they are, in fact, sufficiently equipped to communicate in this brave new digital world.
At a very basic level, FIMS’s administration professes that the new certificate is designed to “Boost [students’] professional or academic career[s] by mastering the communication tools of the digital age.” More than this, students who complete the certificate will, in turn, receive “excellent preparation for a career in social media,” as it combines both theoretical and practical media knowledge.
Within this context, the primary goal of the certificate would seem relatively unproblematic; the CDC merely intends to provide students with an opportunity through which to develop employable skills in the “digital age”. When taking into consideration recent discussion surrounding FIMS’s politics, however, the issue becomes slightly more complicated.
CBC Q’s Jian Ghomeshi, a witty entertainer oozing with indie charm, is also a sharp mind overflowing with insight into Canadian art, culture and – yes, even politics. At first, he explained during a Q and A period Friday, March 9th in the Althouse Auditorium, the CBC took a while to warm up to his program.
“There’s still a snobbery that comes with the CBC. They were like, this is going to be a pop culture show, isn’t it?” Ghomeshi joked, “Isn’t that the end of the world?”
In fact, CBC’s two-year-old “art and culture” program Q aims to eradicate the division between “high art” and “pop culture,” the host explained to a smitten audience consisting of FIMS journalism students and members of the London media community. The program is meant to combat the notion that classical visual artists, writers, and musicians require more “serious” discussions about their work than graphic artists and rock bands do.
The last few weeks have been packed full of surprises and tension. From Bieber to demerit points, this year’s USC Elections have been the most eventful in recent memory. It really does feel like we’ve seen it all at this point; the election results were invalidated in an unprecedented move on the part of the University and the USC due to the actions of the world’s most narcissistic hacker.
Spectacle aside, the democratic process at Western has moved forward unfettered and the elections have been re-held starting Wednesday and ending today. It’s easy to feel apathetic and a little burnt out after the craziness that has led up to this point, but the mitZine would like to encourage you to not be discouraged and go have your voice heard by voting once more.
If you haven’t voted yet, the polls are still open. Go to voteusc.ca to have your say on important issues like ammendments to the student health plan, USC Senators-At-Large, the Board of Governors and, of course, the next President of the USC.
UPDATE: Elections postponed to February 29th and March 1st due to Tuesday’s hacking debacle. Details at WesternUSC.ca
Today is the last day to vote in the USC elections. Make sure to participate and have your voice heard! Over the last month, the mitZine team has worked hard to bring you the best resources to make an informed decision. If you’re making your voting today, here’s some helpful articles to help you make your decision: Continue reading
Shortly before 8 pm yesterday, an anonymous person or group hacked the USC Elections site. Voters were redirected to a page that welcomed them to the “Justin Bieber Hairstyle vote 2012” and informed them that “a vote for Bieber is a vote for world peace.” As of now, the motivations behind the defacement of the site are unknown. Still, the act raises an important question: was it just an example of wanton e-vandalism perpetrated by ne’er-do-wells or something more – something political? In the often superficial and super-sensational world of USC presidential elections, a vote for the Biebs’ luscious locks may not be so different than a vote for any of the candidates. Continue reading
Disclaimer: the views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of the mitZine or the MITSC.
When voters head to the (virtual) polls this week, they will be making a choice based ultimately on one of three criteria: platform, campaign, or character.
Many students will vote for a platform. They will peruse the candidates’ websites and identify promises that appeal to them. They may even take a more holistic approach and vote for what they deem the best overall vision for the USC.
Others will vote for a campaign. They have watched the videos, attended the debates, and followed social media. They have seen the candidates jockey to differentiate themselves and judged them on their public face.
The remaining students will vote based on the character of a candidate. They have taken the platforms and campaigns with a grain of salt, opting instead to focus on the qualities and experiences that distinguish each potential president.
Unlike some years, however, none of this year’s candidates have stood out in all three categories. None of them are unequivocally deserving of the position, and that makes things difficult for independent voters. To help make sense of your options, I offer here my endorsements for USC president based on the category you believe is most important. I welcome feedback in the comments below. Continue reading
USC election season can be a confusing time for students. How are you supposed to cut through the slogans, flashy videos, and mobs of campaigners to get at the issues that matter? Fortunately, the mitZine team has undertaken the task of breaking down the candidates’ platforms and laying out the bottom line for FIMS students. Keep an eye out for even more USC election coverage in the February issue of the mitZine, which includes this breakdown. Continue reading
USC Presidential candidates hope to walk away with the win.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Andrew Forgione is going to get a big head this election season. When the campaign videos for the 2012 USC presidential candidates were released just after midnight on Tuesday morning, it was clear that Forgione’s campaign methods wouldn’t soon be forgotten.
Right off the bat, third-year Science student, Logan Ross, used a segment of Forgione’s famous Ducksauce tribute in her campaign video; but Ross isn’t the only one to take something away from Forgione’s successful run. All the other candidates—fifth-year Social-Sci student Claire McArthur, fourth-year Huron student Adam Fearnall, and fourth-year FIMS student Jon Silver—are all guilty of using the “Forgione Formula.” Continue reading
