Jim Willis, PhD

Professor Emeritus, Department of Communication Studies

Jim Willis, a veteran news reporter and editor, earned his Ph.D. in Journalism from the University of Missouri. He has taught at the university level for three decades, chairing departments at Boston College, Ball State University, and Azusa Pacific University, and held endowed professorships at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Memphis. He has authored or co-authored 12 books on the media and one on college football. A frequent overseas lecturer, Willis has participated in six lecture tours for the U.S. State Department. He continues to work as a special correspondent and has covered the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, and the 10th and 20th anniversaries of the fall of the Berlin Wall. His honors include a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, and Undergraduate Faculty Scholar of the Year for 2009 at Azusa Pacific University. He is married to Anne Willis and has five sons and daughters.

Education

• PhD in Journalism, University of Missouri
• MA in Journalism, Texas A&M University at Commerce
• BA in Journalism, University of Oklahoma

Academic Area

• Communication

Expertise

• Media Ethics and History
• Ethical Reporting
• Impact of New Media Platforms
• News Media and Society
• Impact of the Web 2.0 Media
• News Media and Government

Courses Taught

• COMM 200 – Introduction to Mass Communication
• COMM 497 – Readings
• JOUR 210 – Introduction to Journalism
• JOUR 305 – Media Law and Ethics
• JOUR 430 – Public Affairs Reporting