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Every Wednesday, I venture to my Media Management class.  This class is an inquiry-driven course that builds critical thinking skills by investigating and analyzing our media landscape by looking at the changes in technology, consumer behavior, business models, and economics.

As a class, we are assigned weekly readings from our textbook, Strategic Management in the Media: Theory to Practice by Lucy Kung.  We also take a look at what is currently happening in media.  This class allows us to critically observe and critique what is going on in the REAL world.

Prior to every class, we are required to listen to National Public Radio’s weekly program, On The Media.  On The Media is a one-hour media analysis show that discusses the trials and tribulations of media issues.  In addition to listening to the show, we are to write a brief review on the show.  Every week, our professor, Tim Horsburgh, leads a class discussion based on our reviews.

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A nice perk of having a working professor is the inside connections they provide.  Our professor is also the Communications and Office Manager at Kartemquin.  On Wednesday, October 5, our class hit the streets for some REAL world interaction with the organization.  Kartemquin is a 45-year-old Chicago non-profit that has been crafting documentaries that examine and critique society through the stories of real people.

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Kartemquin’s most successful documentary is Hoop Dreams, which is about two inner-city high school boys and the role basketball plays in their lives.  Hoop Dreams and other Kartemquin documentaries have received many accolades.  In 2007, the organization received one of eight international MacArthur Awards for Creative and Effective Institutions. This prestigious award also supplied the non-profit with $500,000.

Our final class assignment is to construct an analytical review of Kartemquin’s media management style.  As a group, we will discuss the organization’s current situation, look at the industry as a whole and use theory and knowledge from class discussions and readings to offer useful media strategies.

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The office is located in Roscoe Village in what appears to be an older Chicago family home.  The office has a lot of character, not just because of its chaotic yet somehow orderly demeanor, but also because of its tight-knit staff.  During our visit, we heard from Gordon Quinn, Artistic Director and Co-Founder, and Justine Nagan, Executive Director.  They were able to provide our class with important insight and were open to answering all of our questions.

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This assignment is a unique opportunity.  This project will be intensive and time consuming, but I am excited to gain REAL experiences. Hopefully Kartemquin will use some of our recommendations.