June Update

Wow, how time flies! I can hardly believe we are all halfway through the year. This year has been an interesting one for me. Getting into OISE/University of Toronto was realizing a dream I have had for years now. I am so excited about being in the program and now I am coming very close to completing my first course in the program.

I'm currently working on a dissertation proposal on the politics of black hair. I am thinking of branching this idea out to discuss hair in general. There is so much to include on this topic, and so many great works that have come out since I started this research back in 1998 that I am really glad that I am revisiting it.

My teaching with Ryerson for the Spring/Summer semesters this year is drawing to a close. It has been a wonderful experience that I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have applied to teach there for the fall, and will be applying to teach for the Chang School again in the fall too. I am hoping that by keeping my bases covered, something will pan out.

I am also still waiting to hear about teaching with Seneca@York for the fall as well. I will be teaching there for the summer semester. The course I will be teaching is media writing. I am really looking forward to it, especially since this is a course I really enjoy teaching. I am fortunate that I consistently receive courses that I really enjoy to teach.

Well...it's getting late and I better start preparing for bed. Even though my inner financial advisor is against it, I am having Crystal Clear Maids come in and clean for me on Sunday morning. I tried cleaning myself again, however I am just guiltily addicted to the expert clean that this company provides. There is supposed to be a great Jewish Festival happening in Toronto on Sunday, so if you are in town, you should check it out. Plus, there are also great games with the World Cup to catch. An old friend of mine is hosting the games, Kim Brunhuber. He's doing a fantastic job. We went to school together at Carleton University.

Whatever you do tomorrow, especially if you are in Toronto, the weather is supposed to be cloudy, but a high of 26 C. Not too bad. Enjoy yourself!

10 Most Popular Media & Recording Arts Programs

There are so many terrific media and recording arts programs in Canada and the United States that are popular – it is hard to know where to start. There is a list below though.

Carleton University has one of the oldest and most respected media programs in Canada. This program has produced graduates that are in areas of media all around the globe. Some its notable graduates include the late Peter Jennings.

Concordia University in Montreal also has a strong media program that has such notable graduates as Jeannie Lee with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and Scott Laurie with CTV Newsnet.

McGill University in Montreal also has a great reputation with many of its graduates working all over the world. Their strength lies in the communication programs at the graduate level.

Ryerson University has an excellent media program and in most places in Toronto, where Ryerson is located, you will find a graduate from Ryerson.

Centennial College in Toronto also has a really strong media program. They have developed some excellent journalists that are working in all parts of media and PR practitioners that are working all over the world. They are also about to start a sports journalism program beginning in January of 2009.

Humber College has a really popular media program. Their graduates go on to terrific success all over the world.

Guelph-Humber University is still a relatively new school, however has an excellent media program that has everything from public relations, image arts and journalism. Their graduates are starting to make a foothold in the field of media that proves that the school is here to stay.
mailto:Seneca@York
Seneca College at York University and in the School of Communication Arts has an excellent program that focuses on broadcast journalism. They also have a summer institute that has a strong reputation. One of the more notable graduates of their program is Melissa Grelo on CP24 with Rogers. They also have a strong independent music production program, as well as a fairly new independent digital photography program.

Sheridan College also has an excellent media program that tends to produce animators that work in such places such as the United States for Disney.

Simon Fraser University is a more academic type of school when it comes to media. Many of its graduates become well-respected scholars in the area of media and communications.

The University of Regina also has a great reputation when it comes to media education. Some its notable graduates include the award-winning journalist Rita Shelton Deverell of Vision-TV.

King's College at Dalhousie University has a fantastic reputation and many of the journalists working throughout Canada, as well as in the Maritimes are graduates of that school.

Ottawa University also has a strong media program. Algonquin College also located in Ottawa has a media summer institute that has a terrific reputation.

For French-speaking schools l'Université du Québec à Montreal has an excellent reputation for producing journalists that work in French.

Plus, back in Ontario, Durham College in Ajax has a strong media program.

Some of the more notable American schools include:

● Columbia University
● Northwestern University
● University of Missouri