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The Art of Digital Journalism: Documenting Environmentalism in Action

Program date: June 20-24, 2011

Instructors: James Dyer,
Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow

Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow (Ph.D., University of Iowa) is an associate professor in Augustana's Communication Studies department. She teaches media studies courses, including broadcast writing and production, issues in media, cultural history of broadcasting, and advertising and social influence. Prior to returning to graduate school, she worked as an anchor and reporter in local television news.

James Dyer (ABD, University of Iowa) is a former award-winning investigative reporter and Middle East foreign correspondent. He is co-director of Augustana College's Multimedia Journalism and Mass Communications program. He teaches journalistic writing, videography, photojournalism and radio production at Augustana, specializing in creative, non-fiction storytelling across various media platforms. He is also the faculty adviser to the student newspaper, the Augustana Observer.

Course description:

Two award-winning journalists will teach workshops on the technology and skills needed to be a successful backpack journalist-whether you are a novice or an experienced photographer or videographer. At the end of the course, you'll spend two days and a night on the Mississippi River, helping to produce a documentary on river environmentalist Chad Pregracke and his renowned group Living Lands and Waters. To prepare for this project, two Augustana environmental studies professors will teach some basics on river sustainability. 

This course is available to high school students only.

Tentative Schedule:

Monday, June 20: Program introduction and orientation

  • Workshop1: Art of reporting and interviewing
  • Workshop 2: Photography basics - shot composition
  • Hands On: Photography assignment
  • Workshop 3: Photo editing (Adobe Photoshop)
  • Workshop 4: Video basics - equipment and video composition
  • Hands On: Videography Assignment
  • Field Trip: Mississippi Backwaters (an introduction to environmental studies)

Tuesday, June 21:

  • Workshop 5: Video editing (Final Cut Pro)
  • Workshop 6: Audio basics - equipment and natural sounds/interviewing
  • Hands On: Audio Assignment
  • Guest Speaker: Professional photojournalist
  • Brainstorming Session: Planning the documentary
  • Field Trip: Sylvan Slough (a case study in transformative environmental efforts)

Wednesday, June 22 - Thursday, June 23:

  • Hands On: On the Mississippi (students create documentary on nationally renowned environmentalist Chad Pregracke and Living Lands and Waters)

Friday, June 24:

  • Post production documentary editing

Program Cost

$750, includes lodging, meals and field trips. Students arrive on campus Sunday, June 19 and depart on Friday, June 24.