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jwgcFiled under: Society & Media
This blog is the collective effort of students and professors involved in the University of Kansas course on Media & the Environment. This collaborative cross-disciplinary course focuses on environmental reporting in mainstream media and strategic communications and the challenges scientists and journalists face when communicating environmental issues to the public. We will learn from each other through in-class and online discussions. Scientists will help journalists to better understand scientific data, ask appropriate questions, and offer more comprehensive coverage of issues. Journalists will educate scientists on how to present data clearly and concisely and provide context for information to elicit more thoughtful interviews and reportage.
We will chart the evolution of environmental journalism and critique environmental stories in popular media—from Pulitzer Prize winners to environmental blogs. We will go into the field to find local stories and create environmental reports that are as relevant, accessible, and accurate as possible. We will analyze communications materials to see what information is address—and what is obscured. We will also address ways to balance information and advocacy, analyze the potential risks of media consolidation, and “green” our media operations from the inside out by developing an environmental action plan for the KU newsroom.
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Welcome to Media & the Environment
January 4, 2008, 11:12 pmOne of the reasons the environmental beat is perpetually interesting is that it’s the grandest train wreck of ideological, scientific, and financial interests imaginable.
- Peter Dykstra, Society of Environmental Journalists
Welcome to JOUR500 & EVRN624. This is an exciting time in the world of environmentalism and journalism. Storytelling has expanded from discussions of land conservation to explorations of ways the natural world encompasses and affects every aspect of our lives: from national security to economy prosperity, conservation to civil rights, public health to personal well-being. Together, we will explore methods to expand the lens of environmental reporting—explaining science in ways that are relevant and accessible, and promoting issues that serve the public interest and support the sustenance of our planet.
Course Description:
This collaborative cross-disciplinary course focuses on environmental reporting in strategic communication and mainstream media and the challenges scientists and journalists face when communicating environmental issues to the public. We will learn from each other through in-class and online discussions. Scientists will help journalists better understand scientific data, ask appropriate questions, and offer more comprehensive coverage of issues. Journalists will educate scientists on how to present data clearly and concisely and provide context for information to elicit more thoughtful interviews and reportage.
We will chart the evolution of environmental journalism and critique environmental stories in popular media—from Pulitzer Prize winners to environmental blogs. We will go into the field to find local stories and create environmental reports that are as relevant, accessible, and accurate as possible. We will analyze communications materials to see what information is addressed—and what is obscured. We will also look at ways to balance information and advocacy, analyze the potential risks of media consolidation, and “green” our media operations from the inside out by developing an environmental action plan for the KU newsroom.
Students will have an opportunity to meet professionals involved in various environmental media efforts and build their portfolios of professional work by developing blog posts, videos, and audio podcasts that may be featured on the environmental websites Grist, Green Options, and Sundance Channel’s microsite The Green and/or on local websites Lawrence.com and the Lawrence Sustainability Network.
Art is social commentary and can be a powerful platform for environmental story-telling. Our blog features environmental art from various sources, including the online environmental museum GreenMuseum.org
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Course Announcements
Enter the I Heart Tap Water Student Video Contest
Beginning at 12:00:01 am midnight EST on February 14th, 2008 and continuing until 11:59 am EST on April 14, 2008 you can submit your video to the I Heart Tap Water contest by posting it on youtube.com and submitting both the URL and embed code here.
Your 30 second to 3 minute video must be an original creation that includes the following three elements:
1. A declaration of your love for tap water
2. Some discussion about bottled water consumption
3. Make the case for why your school or any campus should give up bottled water
Videos that do not meet the the above criteria or are offensive or inappropriate for all audiences as determined by Food & Water Watch staff and the contest review panel will be disqualified.
The Review Panel and Food & Water Watch staff will choose three (3) winning videos that are the most inspiring and entertaining, and that have a clear message.
* Inspiring (Does it make me want to do something?)
* Entertaining (Does it make me want to keep watching? Does it make me want to tell my friends about it?)
* Clear Message (Does it make it easy to understand the issue?)
Lawrence Electronic Recycling Event
The City of Lawrence invites residents and small businesses to recycle old, unwanted electronic equipment.Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2008. 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. University of Kansas Lied Center parking lot (15th and Iowa Street)Event is Co-Sponsored by Hamm Waste Services.
Electronic recycling will be provided by Asset LifeCycle, LLC. www.assetlc.comAsset Lifecycle, LLC is a permitted E-Waste Recycling and Reclamation Facility in the state of Kansas. They adhere to No Landfill and No Electronic Exporting Policies; therefore, the materials collected are sorted into various raw commodities and prepared for final disposition at a domestic refinery.
Electronic equipment accepted: Computer Monitors*, Televisions*, Desktops, Laptops, Keyboards, Printers, Copiers, Scanners, Telephones, Cell Phones, Pagers, Fax Machines, VHS/DVD Drives, Hand Held Devices
* There is a small recycling fee of $5 for monitors, $10 for televisions and no charge for other electronics. On-site hard drive destruction is available for $5 per hard drive.
February 29th
Subject: Triple Pundit Looking for Business Writers
Hi gang,Hope you might know some business writers who might be interested in a small gig. TriplePundit.com needs 1-2 more regular writers who are experts and enthusiasts in some of the following areas:Change Management
Supply Chains
Clean Tech
CSR
Green Marketing
Social and “Eco” entrepreneurship
Government Relations
The Carbon MarketsTriple Pundit’s mission is to explore new, greener ways of doing business to maintain the balance between People, Planet, and Profit. You should be familiar with concepts such as Natural Capitalism, the Triple Bottom Line, Cradle to Cradle, Green Building and Design, and a Holistic outlook on life.The gig is only $200 per month and translates to either 3 short posts per week, or 1 longer, more researched piece per week. Otherwise flexible. Please send samples to me with note of interest.Thanks!- Nick Aster
nick@triplepundit.com
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 7pm
Andrew Torrance, KU Associate Professor of Law
“Climate Change and the Changing Legal Climate”
Spooner Hall
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 7pm
Terry Evans, photographer
“From Prairie to Ice Sheet”
Spooner Hall
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Blog Information: Posts, Videos, & Pictures
January 9, 2008, 3:21 pm
Blog Posting Guide
1. Create a WordPress account.
2. Sign into WordPress.
3. At the top of your screen, click on “New Post”.
4. Give your post a title.
5. Write your post.
6. Select the appropriate category from the “Categories” menu on the right(i.e. Week 1, About Us, etc).
7. When you’re finished, hit the “Save and Continue Editing” button.
8. After your post is saved, hit the “Preview” button up at the top-right to review your post for errors and to make sure it looks the way you want.
9. When you’re done editing your post, click “Submit to Review.” An administrator will then review the post and publish it to the blog.
10. After you’ve posted, make sure to comment on your classmates’ posts.
Adding Pictures to Your Post
1. Click on the “insert image button”, which has a small image of a tree on it.
2. Type the web address of the image you’re inserting in the Image URL box and hit OK.
3. You can also change the image’s alignment (i.e. right, left, center, etc), as well as its size in this window.
Adding Video to Your Post
1. Scroll down to immediately below the editing box; click on the “Videos” tab.
2. Paste or type your video’s URL in the provided box.
3. Position your cursor in the text of your post at the location where you want the video to appear.
4. Click the “Send to Editor” button. The video should appear in your post.
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Course Assignments & Rubrics
January 9, 2008, 3:51 pm
The following assignments, in which you will analyze and create media, will be completed over this semester. Materials from Projects 1 & 2 may feed into your final project.
Learning Contract. Due 1/24 by 5pm.- In-class analysis of Selected Environmental Media (One week).
Web Posts (Three blog posts per week + One addition to the Sundance Green Map + Two additions to the Blogroll). First Two Blog posts to be Posted to Blog by Tuesday before class by 5pm, Final post to be Posted to Blog Thursday Before Class. Green Map Marker to be Posted to Sundance Site and Emailed by 1/30 at 5pm. Blogroll Additions to be Posted to Blog and Emailed by 4/30 at 5pm. 5% will be deducted from your online participation grade if you fail to sign either posts or comments.
Project 1 (Repurposing Content from Lawrence Sustainability Network or developing Original Content for Lawrence.com Sustainability Blog). Due 2/15 at 5pm.
Project 2 (Field trip Attendance, Field Notes & Blog Post, Vlog or Audio Podcast inspired by Fieldtrip). Due 3/31(revised due date) at 5pm.
Project 3 (Final Project: Blog series, Vlog series, Audio podcast series, or Strategic Plan for Greening KU J-School. Interim Report Due 4/18 at 5pm. Final Report Due 5/9 at 5pm.
Graduate Students will have an additional component of the final project that will be announced in Week 8 (3/6). Due 5/9 at 5pm.
Self, course & team evaluation (One of each). Due 5/7 at 5pm.
PROJECT 1: REPURPOSING CONTENT OR REPORTAGE FOR LAWRENCE,COM SUSTAINABILITY BLOG
Objective: To translate specialized information to a general audience.
REPURPOSING CONTENT Process:
• Read content on Lawrence Sustainability Network (http://www.lawrencesustainability.net/)
• Select a piece to translate to readers of Lawrence.com. http://lawrence.com/
• Your blog post should be informed and inspired by a piece you read on LSN, not a direct copy. (Refer to the plagiarism policy or contact me if you have any questions.)
• Conduct background research. Make sure to minimize jargon and explain all new concepts.
• Consider your audience. Your post can include global and national references but ultimately it should support/highlight local efforts.
• Remember, it’s a blog post, not a report. Include a link back to the LSN piece that inspired you, along with any relevant hyperlinks within your post and additional reference links at the end.
• Your post should also include:
o A compelling title
o An image (with attribution and link)
o A one line description under the image
ORIGINAL CONTENT Process:
• Read content on Lawrence.com http://lawrence.com and environmental/ general media outlets.
• Select a topic you think will be of interest to local readers.
• Conduct background research. Make sure to minimize jargon and explain all new concepts.
• Consider your audience. Your post can include global and national references but ultimately it should support/highlight local efforts.
• Remember, it’s a blog post, not a report. Include links back to any material that inspired you, along with any relevant hyperlinks within your post and additional reference links at the end.
• Your post should also include:
o A compelling title
o An image (with attribution and link)
o A one line description under the image
ALTERNATE CONTENT Process:
• You may elect to create an audio podcast or video in place of a blog post.
• Follow the same processes above, referring to the audio/ video materials on Lawrence.com to better understand the publication’s sensibility.
• Make sure audio/ video submissions include:
o A compelling title
o An image (for audio) or screen grab (for video) with attribution and link
o A short (50 words or less) description of the material
PROJECT 2: FIELD TRIP ATTENDANCE, FIELD NOTES, AND BLOG POSTS/ VLOGS/ PODCASTS INSPIRED BY FIELDTRIP DUE 3/31(revised due date) AT 5PM.
Objective: To understand the value of experiential knowledge/ field research in telling your stories.
Process:
* Attend fieldtrip
* Take notes on fieldtrip. They can be in any form. You will submit them to me as documentation but I will not really read them.
* Conduct background research. Make sure to minimize jargon and explain all new concepts.
* Consider your audience. Your post can include global and national references but should also touch upon what you learned in the field. You decide who your audience is. Your choices are; Lawrence.com, our J500 blog, Sundancechannel.com/thegreen, or GreenOptions.com
* Make sure you are familiar with your desired web destination and create media for your intended audience
* Create two pieces of reportage that address what you learned. You may create two posts, two videos, two audio podcasts - or any combination thereof.
* The first piece of media you create should put the issue you highlight in context. The second piece you create should be specific to our city/ University/ state or region.
o For example, if you wanted to talk about the proposed coal-fired plants for Holcomb, KS, you would use your field trip to our coal plant as your starting off point. Your first post/ video/ podcast would talk about the bigger picture of energy, climate change, industry etc. and your second post/video/podcast would specifically address what is going on in Holcomb.
* Remember, it’s a blog post, not a report. Include links back to any work that inspired you, along with any relevant hyperlinks and reference (”for more information”) links.
* Your post should also include:
o A compelling title
o An image (with attribution and link)
o A one line description under the image
o Tags
o Hyperlinks
o The website you are directing your project toward
* Your post should be emailed to me, cc’d to John. Use the style parameters indicated in your first assignment and in the Delivery section below.
* You will be expected to make any suggested edits before posting materials to the final blog destination.
Delivery of Assignments:
* All projects should be typed in 12-point font and double-spaced.
* Use Associated Press style for blog posts and projects. (Check the blog for links to AP format and additional media writing tips.)
* Use attributed images with blog posts.
* Include a short and descriptive summary of materials with audio & video submissions.
* For Projects 1,2 and 3: Submit all print assignments via email to simran@ku.edu and jkuhn@ku.edu as a backup. Post all audio and video materials to a public site like YouTube and email John and me the link. Burn a copy to a DVD as a backup and place it in my mailbox in Dole.
* Make sure your name and the name(s) of all your contributors are in the subject line of all emails you send and within the document/ DVD on all materials you submit. If I don’t know who submitted an assignment, I can’t grade it and you will get a 0 for the assignment.
* This class is focused on the environment. Please conserve paper and avoid printing out/using materials unnecessarily.
PROJECT 3: FINAL PROJECT: MEDIA SERIES, WEBSITE LAUNCH, OR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR GREENING KU J-SCHOOL. INTERIM REPORT DUE 4/18 AT 5PM. FINAL REPORT DUE 5/9 AT 5PM.Objective: To synthesize your learnings about environmental communication. This will be demonstrated by group work on one of four projects.
1) Creation and Launch of Green Media Blog for Lawrence.com OR Continued Development of the Class Blog
Group: Danae, Jennifer K., Juliana, Sarah H., Vince
Process for Lawrence.com:
• Research Lawrence demographic, Lawrence.com community, and Lawrence.com blogs http://www.lawrence.com/blogs/mypunkheart/
• Develop voice/personality of eco/sustainability blog for Lawrence.com.
• Select title and image.
• Locate contributors within Lawrence community (from likeminded outlets on campus, such as Environs, or in the city, such as Lawrence Sustainability Network).
• Develop strategy for marketing your blog.
• Contact Phil Cauthon (phil@lawrence.com) about launching blog and measuring traffic.
• Write intro post and 7-10 posts to launch blog.
• Pull material from J500 class blog to use after blog launch.
• Launch blog by 4/25.
• Continue to develop, market, monitor traffic, and revise.
• Develop long term plan for continuation of blog beyond semester.
• Document what you learned about creating the blog. Be prepared to share your insights in a 25 minute presentation (20 minute presentation, 5 minute Q & A) on 5/8 and a 750-1000 word summary emailed by 5/9.
• There are no required parameters for the in-class presentation, other than the fact that every group member must participate. Use your creativity, take advantage of multiple media, and help us understand what you did, why you did it, and the impacts you had/ will have.
Process for Continued Development of the Class Blog:
• Develop strategy for transforming the blog.
• Research target audience.
• Modify voice/personality of the blog.
• Locate contributors within Lawrence community (from likeminded outlets on campus, such as Environs, or in the city, such as Lawrence Sustainability Network).
• Develop strategy for marketing the blog.
• Devise editorial strategy for continuation.
• Re-launch blog by 5/7 with intro post and 5-10 additional posts.
• Develop long term plan for continuation of blog beyond class.
• Document what you learned about continuing the blog and your thoughts about where it will go in the future. Be prepared to share your insights in a 25 minute presentation (20 minute presentation, 5 minute Q & A) on 5/8 and a 750-1000 word summary emailed by 5/9.
• There are no required parameters for the in-class presentation, other than the fact that every group member must participate. Use your creativity, take advantage of multiple media, and help us understand what you did, why you did it, and the impacts you had/ will have.
2) Converged Media Series on Current Issue (blog posts, audio podcasts, webisodes - 5 in total)
Group: Adam, Bobby, Denzyl, JJ, Lindsay
Process for Converged Media Series on Current Issue
• Determine topic.
• Identify your audience and target media outlet.
• Develop multi-media series on selected topic (featuring various types of media).
• Conduct primary interviews (in-person or on the phone) and field research.
• Pitch and submit materials to selected outlet by 5/8. Also plan on posting materials to the class blog by the end of the semester.
• Document what you learned about creating and pitching this series. Be prepared to share your insights in a 25 minute presentation (20 minute presentation, 5 minute Q & A) on 5/8 and a 750-1000 word summary emailed by 5/9.
• There are no required parameters for the in-class presentation, other than the fact that every group member must participate. Use your creativity, take advantage of multiple media, and help us understand what you did, why you did it, and the impacts you had/ will have.
3) Converged Media Series on Local Issue (blog posts, audio podcasts, webisodes - 5 in total)
Group: Jeff, Jen H., Ranjit, Sonya, Travis
Process for Converged Media Series on Local Issue
• Determine topic.
• Identify your audience and target media outlet.
• Develop multi-media series on selected topic (featuring various types of media)
• Conduct primary interviews (in-person or on the phone) and field research.
• Pitch and submit materials to selected outlet by 5/8. Also plan on posting materials to the class blog by the end of the semester.
• Document what you learned about creating and pitching this series. Be prepared to share your insights in a 25 minute presentation (20 minute presentation, 5 minute Q & A) on 5/8 and a 750-1000 word summary emailed by 5/9.
• There are no required parameters for the in-class presentation, other than the fact that every group member must participate. Use your creativity, take advantage of multiple media, and help us understand what you did, why you did it, and the impacts you had/ will have.
4) Strategic Plan for Greening the University Daily Kansan
Group: Dena, Kim, Lauren, Sachiko, Sarah N.
Process for Strategic Plan:
• Research environmental plans for media.
• Conduct an environmental assessment of UDK, determining which stages of production create the most waste, energy, etc.
• Discuss potential plan with UDK editor and others to attain buy-in for plan.
• Develop a list of suggestions, ranging from easy to complex with timeline for implementation.
• Develop educational/ marketing materials for members of UDK staff to “go green.”
• Develop educational/ marketing materials for readers of UDK.
• The entire plan should be between 3000-5000 words. A portion of the plan should include a group reflection on the process and what you learned about trying to encourage others to go green.
• Be prepared to share your insights in a 25 minute presentation (20 minute presentation, 5 minute Q & A) on 5/8 and emailed the plan by 5/9.
• There are no required parameters for the in-class presentation, other than the fact that every group member must participate. Use your creativity, take advantage of multiple media, and help us understand what you did, why you did it, and the impacts you had/ will have.
GRADUATE STUDENTS - ADDITIONAL COMPONENT. DUE 5/9 AT 5PM.
Objective: To exhibit in-depth knowledge of environmental reportage.
Process: Details given individually.
SELF, COURSE, & TEAM EVALUATION (ONE OF EACH). DUE 5/7 AT 5PM.
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Additional Course Information
January 9, 2008, 7:58 pm
Class Documents:
ORIGINAL UNALTERED SYLLABUS- USE ONLY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DOING THE EXTRA READINGS
AP Format Guidelines and Writing Links:
Journalism 2.0: How to Survive & Thrive In The Digital Age
Guides to Finding and Correcting Common Errors:
Twenty-Seven Common Misspellings and Grammatical Confusions
The College Board’s “Five Glaring Grammatical Errors”
Six Common Punctuation Errors That Bedevil Bloggers
Online Style Guides:
Strunk & White’s “Elements of Style”
Clever vs. Descriptive Headlines: Which Work Better?
How to Write Magnetic Headlines
So You Want To Be A Blogging Star
Beth’s 50 Ways To Market Your Blog
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Student Field Trips
January 9, 2008, 3:20 pm
Student Field Trips January 9, 2008, 3:20 pm
You are required to attend one of the four field trips offered. Each trip will be limited to six participants. We’ll sign up for these field trips in class on 1/24/08. We will travel together. Please make sure you are in front of Dole at 1000 Sunnyside Avenue by 12:30pm sharp. If you miss the van, you will need to find your own transportation to the site or will be marked absent for the field trip. In the event of inclement weather, please call my office number to confirm the field trip. Any changes will be on my office voicemail message.
• 2/1 FIELD TRIP #1: Westar Energy (12:30-2:30pm, Host: Nick Tryon) & Bowersock Power Mill (3-4:30pm, Hosts: Sarah Hill-Nelson & Brian Farley) Overview of coal as an energy source, carbon offsets, & renewable energy sources. Anyone attending this field trip must wear 100% cotton clothing and leather shoes/ boots. Hardhats, goggles, and earplugs will be provided.
• POSTPONED TO 3/14!!!! FIELD TRIP #2: Haskell-Baker Wetlands (12:30-4:30pm, Host: Mike Caron) Overview of biodiversity preservation & urban development. Warm clothing & waterproof boots are highly recommended.
• 2/22 FIELD TRIP # 3: Hamm Landfill & Lawrence Recycling/ Composting Centers (Time: 12:30-4:30pm, Hosts: Charlie Sedlock & Bob Yoos) Overview of waste management & local recycling efforts.
• 3/7 FIELD TRIP #4: Sustainable Urban Farms in Kansas City, MO (12:30-4:30pm, Host: Daniel Dermitzel) Overview of sustainable agriculture with the Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture. Warm clothing & waterproof boots are highly recommended.
You are also required to attend the following event:
• 1/31 FOCUS THE NATION: Dole Institute for Politics, 7:30-9:30pm. The panel discussion will feature Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson, Provost Richard Lariviere, Kansas state senators and representatives, and Lawrence officials discussing the role of government in mitigating global climate change.
