Robert Jensen
Encyclopedia
Robert William Jensen is a professor of journalism
at the University of Texas at Austin College of Communication
. He joined the faculty in 1992 after completing his Ph.D.
in media law and ethics in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota
. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in media law, ethics, and politics.
In his research, Jensen draws on a variety of critical theories. As a strong feminist
, Jensen has focused much of his work on the radical feminist critique of pornography and of masculinity. He also has written about white privilege and institutional racism
.
In addition to teaching and research, Jensen writes for popular media, both alternative and mainstream. His opinion and analytic pieces on such subjects as foreign policy
, politics, and race have appeared in papers around the U.S. He also is involved in a number of activist groups working against U.S. military and economic domination. He also works on progressive community projects in Austin, TX.
Jensen identifies as a Christian Radical. He has one child, a son. Jensen is married to musician Eliza Gilkyson
.
degree from Moorhead State University (now Minnesota State University, Moorhead), and in 1985, he received a Master of Arts
degree in journalism and public affairs from American University
. Prior to his academic career, he worked as a reporter and copy editor for several newspapers, including the St. Petersburg Times
and the St. Paul Pioneer Press
.
on September 14, 2001, shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks.
In the piece, Jensen wrote that the September 11th terrorist attacks were "reprehensible and indefensible" but "no more despicable than the massive acts of terrorism – the deliberate killing of civilians for political purposes – that the U.S. government has committed during my lifetime."
Jensen's piece drew both praise and criticism. Some individuals demanded that The University of Texas fire Jensen. In response, University of Texas President Larry Faulkner
wrote in a letter to the editor published in the Houston Chronicle that he was "disgusted by Jensen's article" and called Jensen "a fountain of undiluted foolishness on issues of public policy."
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
at the University of Texas at Austin College of Communication
University of Texas at Austin College of Communication
The College of Communication is the communication college at The University of Texas at Austin. The College was established in 1965 in an effort to consolidate the all Communication Studies under one roof including the Department of Public Speaking , School of Journalism , and independent...
. He joined the faculty in 1992 after completing his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in media law and ethics in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in media law, ethics, and politics.
In his research, Jensen draws on a variety of critical theories. As a strong feminist
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
, Jensen has focused much of his work on the radical feminist critique of pornography and of masculinity. He also has written about white privilege and institutional racism
Institutional racism
Institutional racism describes any kind of system of inequality based on race. It can occur in institutions such as public government bodies, private business corporations , and universities . The term was coined by Black Power activist Stokely Carmichael in the late 1960s...
.
In addition to teaching and research, Jensen writes for popular media, both alternative and mainstream. His opinion and analytic pieces on such subjects as foreign policy
Foreign policy
A country's foreign policy, also called the foreign relations policy, consists of self-interest strategies chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to achieve its goals within international relations milieu. The approaches are strategically employed to interact with other countries...
, politics, and race have appeared in papers around the U.S. He also is involved in a number of activist groups working against U.S. military and economic domination. He also works on progressive community projects in Austin, TX.
Jensen identifies as a Christian Radical. He has one child, a son. Jensen is married to musician Eliza Gilkyson
Eliza Gilkyson
Eliza Gilkyson is an Austin, Texas-based folk musician. She is the daughter of songwriter and folk musician Terry Gilkyson and Jane Gilkyson. She is the sister of guitarist Tony Gilkyson, who played with the Los Angeles-based bands Lone Justice and X...
.
Early life
Jensen grew up in North Dakota. In 1981, he received a Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from Moorhead State University (now Minnesota State University, Moorhead), and in 1985, he received a Master of Arts
Master of Arts
A Master of Arts is a high academic degree offered at many universities in Europe and the United States.A Master of Arts, Magister Artium, or Magister in Artibus may also refer to:...
degree in journalism and public affairs from American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
. Prior to his academic career, he worked as a reporter and copy editor for several newspapers, including the St. Petersburg Times
St. Petersburg Times
The St. Petersburg Times is a United States newspaper. It is one of two major publications serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being The Tampa Tribune, which the Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in St...
and the St. Paul Pioneer Press
St. Paul Pioneer Press
The St. Paul Pioneer Press is a newspaper based in St. Paul, Minnesota, primarily serving the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Circulation is heaviest in the eastern metro region, including Ramsey, Dakota, and Washington counties, along with western Wisconsin, eastern Minnesota and Anoka County,...
.
Controversy
Jensen drew widespread attention for an opinion piece he wrote for the Houston ChronicleHouston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
on September 14, 2001, shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks.
In the piece, Jensen wrote that the September 11th terrorist attacks were "reprehensible and indefensible" but "no more despicable than the massive acts of terrorism – the deliberate killing of civilians for political purposes – that the U.S. government has committed during my lifetime."
Jensen's piece drew both praise and criticism. Some individuals demanded that The University of Texas fire Jensen. In response, University of Texas President Larry Faulkner
Larry Faulkner
Larry Ray Faulkner was the twenty-seventh president of The University of Texas at Austin. Faulkner is, as of January 31, 2006, President of the Houston Endowment Inc.....
wrote in a letter to the editor published in the Houston Chronicle that he was "disgusted by Jensen's article" and called Jensen "a fountain of undiluted foolishness on issues of public policy."
Works
- All My Bones Shake: Seeking a Progressive Path to the Prophetic Voice (Soft Skull PressSoft Skull PressSoft Skull Press is an independent publisher founded by Sander Hicks in 1992, and run by Richard Eoin Nash from 2001 to 2009. In 2007, Nash sold Soft Skull to Counterpoint LLC, where it continues to function as a division of the press...
, 2009) - Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity (South End PressSouth End PressSouth End Press is a non-profit book publisher run on a model of participatory economics. It was founded in 1977 by Michael Albert, Lydia Sargent, John Schall, Pat Walker, Juliet Schor, Mary Lea, Joe Bowring, and Dave Millikan, among others, in Boston's South End...
, 2007) - The Heart of Whiteness: Confronting Race, Racism and White Privilege (City LightsCity Lights BookstoreCity Lights is an independent bookstore-publisher combination that specializes in world literature, the arts, and progressive politics. It also houses the nonprofit City Lights Foundation, which publishes selected titles related to San Francisco culture. It was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence...
, 2005) ISBN 978-0872864498 - Citizens of the Empire: The Struggle to Claim Our Humanity (City Lights, 2004) ISBN 978-0872864320
- Writing Dissent: Taking Radical Ideas from the Margins to the Mainstream (Peter Lang, 2002) ISBN 978-0820456515
- Co-author with Gail DinesGail DinesGail Dines is a feminist anti-pornography activist, author, professor, and lecturer. An academic, she has also been described as "The world's leading anti-pornography campaigner".-Biography:...
and Ann Russo of Pornography: The Production and Consumption of Inequality (Routledge, 1998) - Co-editor with David AllenDavid AllenDavid Allen, Dave Allen, David Allan, or Dave Allan may refer to:-Acting, entertainment and broadcasting:* Dave Allen , Irish comedian* Dave Allen , American television and film actor...
of Freeing the First Amendment: Critical Perspectives on Freedom of Expression (New York University Press, 1995)
External links
- Robert Jensen homepage, with article archive
- Robert Jensen's interview with radical activist Abe OsheroffAbe OsheroffAbraham Osheroff was an American social activist, carpenter, war veteran, documentary filmmaker, and lecturer.-Biography:...
, with information about documentary film "Abe Osheroff: One Foot in the Grave, the Other Still Dancing" (2009)http://www.abeosheroffmovie.com/] - Robert Jensen speaking about religion and politics on Progressive Radio
- Robert Jensen speaking on white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism on Uprising Radio
- Robert Jensen speaking on "Beyond Multiculturalism"
- Robert Jensen speaking on feminism and masculinity
- Robert Jensen speaking on "The Color of the Race Problem Is White"
- Robert Jensen speaking on "The Death of the American Dream"
- "The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality, and Relationships," Documentary film directed by Chyng Sun and Miguel Picker (2008) quotes Robert Jensen]
- "Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land: Media & the Israel-Palestine Conflict", Documentary film directed by Sut JhallySut JhallySatvinder "Sut" Jhally , is a professor of Communication at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is one of the world’s leading experts on cultural studies, advertising, media, and consumption. He is the producer of 40+ documentaries on media literacy topics and the founder and executive...
and Bathsheba RatzkoffBathsheba RatzkoffBathsheba Ratzkoff is a film director, producer, and editor. She is the co-director of the 2004 documentary Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land...
(2003) quotes Robert Jensen