The universal journalist, or the strategy of journalistic education in the conditions of media convergence
Discussions related to journalism education, are not subsiding in the scientific community and among practicing journalists. Russian and foreign scholars are paying close attention to the latest trends in the field of teaching journalism in higher school. The universalization of the profession of journalism requires a revision of some established scientific and practical paradigms. Widespread adoption of two-tier system of higher education presents challenges for the adjustment of the standards of the new generation to the real conditions, the emergence of new competencies and educational outcomes. The article discusses some of the issues of teaching majors at a regional University: what is a universal journalist, and what kind of content is embedded in the concept of «universal journalist» in the era of convergence and digitalization, what the universal journalist has to know today, how the teacher combines the traditional and innovative approaches in teaching. In fact, the author is sharing the experience of Department of Journalism in Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education. This article also employs interviews with journalists, Samara universities graduates having majored in journalism.