School Initiatives — The Annenberg Advantage
USC Annenberg's teaching, research and programs touch upon many facets of communication, journalism, public relations and public diplomacy. Our mission is to empower the next generation of leaders and critical thinkers to innovate and take intellectual risks, to be entrepreneurial, to embrace civic engagement globally and locally, and to uphold the highest standards of ethics, inclusiveness and professionalism.
Our expert faculty are world-renowned teachers and researchers—thought leaders in their fields. Our classes are comprehensive and interdisciplinary. In addition, USC Annenberg has several key initiatives that build on the School’s unique strengths, add richness to the student experience and develop critical leadership skills.
Annenberg Innovation Lab
Founded in 2010, the Annenberg Innovation Lab is a space where students, faculty, researchers and business entrepreneurs can collaborate on projects that have practical application and social impact. The Lab produces technological innovations and analysis on a variety of issues including new business models for communication and journalism, organizational and societal incentives, institutional design, and the impact of social networking on the economy, politics and society.
The Lab is known for its ideas as well as for the technologies it develops. For students, the Annenberg Innovation Lab is an extraordinary opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary projects, innovative research and impactful service activities. For its sponsors, the Annenberg Innovation Lab offers not only new products but also new understandings.
Celebrating Difference: Diversity at USC Annenberg
At USC Annenberg, how we teach, think and talk about difference is of supreme importance as we educate our students for the future. We want to ensure that diversity underlies everything we do; diversity not only of people, but of ideas, approaches and actions. A respect for diversity and inclusiveness is one of the core values of the school.
USC Annenberg has undertaken a comprehensive analysis of our diversity profile with regard to teaching, curriculum, faculty, student recruitment and retention. The results of this process are included in the following report, detailing 12 recommendations for future growth in this area. These recommendations strengthen our continued commitment to diversity and ensure that it is central to the life of USC Annenberg.
If you would like to provide feedback on this report, its recommendations, or other aspects of diversity at USC Annenberg, please don't hesitate to
contact us.
International
USC Annenberg's location, in the most global and diverse city in the United States and at the gateway of the Pacific Rim, allows us to operate from a position of strength within an increasingly global society, taking cues from researchers around the world to advance knowledge in fields in which an international perspective is increasingly crucial. The power of communication, journalism, public diplomacy and public relations will continue to increase and play a significant role in understanding and transforming society. USC Annenberg is at the center of this communication revolution with many international programs that impact teaching, research and service.
Research
Service projects
Media, Economics and Entrepreneurship — M{2e}
A major emphasis of USC Annenberg, the Media, Economics and Entrepreneurship initiative offers students both academic opportunities and hands-on research projects to strengthen their knowledge of economics. M{2e} infuses an understanding of economic principles and market behavior through course work across all of USC Annenberg’s degree programs, encouraging students to innovate and experiment with new ideas for communication and journalism.
Now more than ever, communication professionals and journalists must possess top quality skills and knowledge in economic literacy and entrepreneurship to thrive and lead in the communication fields of the 21st century. M{2e} is one more example of how the Annenberg Advantage benefits students, our community and external business and nonprofit partners.
Visit the Media, Economics and Entrepreneurship website
USC Annenberg Institute of Sports, Media and Society
This Institute advances and enriches the study and practice of sports communication through excellent academic programs as well as research and outreach programs that have a social impact, examining how sports and sports communication reinforce or modify our culture, social values, diversity and economy.
For undergraduates, USC Annenberg offers a minor in Sports Media Studies in the School of Communication. For those seeking an advanced degree, the School of Journalism has a one-year Master of Specialized Journalism with an emphasis on sports that gives journalism students deep subject expertise and provides students with the cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurship skills needed for their continually evolving profession.
In addition to academics, public events, such as the Sports and Social Change speaker series Sports and Social Change speaker series, are designed to create dialogue by bringing together top scholars in sports communication and professionals from the sports and media industries.