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Written by Adam Testa, The Southern Saturday, 29 August 2009 11:06

News - Student News and Awards

CARBONDALE - A new weekend workshop will teach Southern Illinois University Carbondale students about journalistic skills and life in the region outside of Carbondale.

In October, a group of 30 to 40 students representing multiple disciplines, including photojournalism and multimedia production, will descend on Murphysboro, documenting a weekend in the life of the Jackson County seat.

The idea for the project, which will last from sunrise Oct. 2 through Oct. 4, came from Mark Dolan, an SIUC assistant professor of photojournalism, who ran similar workshops while teaching at Syracuse University.

"We're going to try to get as much of a cross-section of the community as possible," Dolan said. "We'll be teaching them. They'll be learning new techniques and new ways to see a photograph."

But the students won't only be learning from their normal professors. Professional journalists from across the country, representing such publications as National Geographic magazine, will be on hand to coach the students and provide immediate criticism and feedback.

Gary Kolb, dean of SIUC's College of Mass Communications and Media Arts, said several other universities sponsor similar events, many of them earning national recognition. He anticipates seeing SIUC students have this opportunity and looks forward to seeing the project grow.

"That will be a terrific value-added experience for them in addition to their education," he said of working with the visiting professionals. "If we can build this into one of those nationally known events, it will certainly be a feather in the cap for the School of Journalism."

If the project continues in the future, the plan would be to feature a different Southern Illinois community each year.

But the project doesn't end when the students leave town Oct. 4. Rather, participating students and others will develop a Web site to showcase the project's results and a public reception will take place in December to highlight the students' work in gallery format.

Dolan has also been pursuing grant money to create a coffee-table book similar to one completed for the similar, longer-term "Cairo Project."

Roger Hart, a lecturer at SIUC who teaches the Web design portion of the project with Dolan, said these byproducts of the weekend workshop present invaluable experiences for students.

"It will mean a lot for a lot of people," Hart said. "It will give them a voice and exposure they wouldn't have otherwise."

By combining elements such as still photography, video and audio in the project, event organizers hope the workshop will also introduce students to the many facets of a fast-changing world of journalism.

William Freivogel, Director of the SIUC School of Journalism, said this project will complement others in the school aiming for that goal.

"It's just another of the opportunities we're pursuing to teach our students the tools they need to be successful as journalists in today's world," he said.

Source: The Southern Illinoisan

Permalink: http://mcma.siu.edu/news/siuc-photojournalism-project-to-show-the-pride-of-murphysboro

Photo Credit - SIU Assistant Professor of Journalism Mark Dolan discusses a workshop his class will participate in this October. The workshop will take place during one weekend in Murphysboro and document several aspects of the town. (Stephen Rickerl / For The Southern)

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Murphysboro excited to be production's focus

By Adam Testa, The Southern
Saturday, August 29, 2009 11:09 PM CDT

MURPHYSBORO - Murphysboro officials expressed pride and jubilation at having their city selected to be the focus of a Southern Illinois University Carbondale journalism workshop.

A group of between 30 and 40 students will document a weekend in the city's life through still photography, video and audio this October. Subsequently, their work will be posted on a Web site and displayed in a gallery format.

City and tourism officials said the project will bring attention to the town, but being able to become part of an educational experience for the students is just as important.

"(The) number one (benefit) is exactly that, the educational aspect - that Murphysboro can be involved in an effort where you take students who are eager to learn and expose them to real-world situations," said Barbara Dallas, a tourism commissioner and the city coordinator for the project. "To be a part of that is very, very rewarding."

Dallas has been working with SIUC associate professor Mark Dolan and his graduate students to uncover the possible stories to be told in Murphysboro. They have been meeting with representatives of the school district, municipal agencies and civic organizations to discuss possibilities.

"Every meeting we came out of, not only were we pumped up, but they were, too," Dallas said. "I already see a sense of community pride that wasn't there before. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this will strengthen our community."

Mayor Ron Williams said the resulting photo collections and Web site will become key tools in the city's efforts to promote economic development.

"It's a real plus for the city of Murphysboro," he said, noting it will help attract people to the city to live and open businesses. "It's going to touch a lot of people. The people in town are excited about it."

Mike Jones, chairman of the Murphysboro Tourism Commission and director of Gen. John A. Logan Museum, agreed with Williams and Dallas.

"It's a chance to put yourself out in front of everybody and show the heart of the community," he said. "Anytime you get a chance to showcase yourself to the larger community, that's what's going to matter to tourism."