ANNOUNCEMENTS

Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards
Annually, the Society of Professional Journalists presents the Mark of Excellence Awards honoring the best in student journalism. The awards offer 39 categories for print, radio, television, and online collegiate journalism. Entries are first judged on the regional level. Regional award winners will be honored at the spring regional conferences. First place regional winners are forwarded on to the national competition. National winners will be honored at the 2008 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference in Atlanta.

The contest is open to anyone enrolled in a college or university and studying for an academic degree in 2007. Students who have had full-time, professional journalism experience, outside of internships, are not eligible. Entries must have been published or broadcast during the 2007 calendar year. Complete details on the contest may be found by visiting http://www.spj.org/a-moe.asp.

Postmark deadline:  January 23, 2008

Please contact SPJ Programs Coordinator Heather Porter with any questions at (317) 927-8000, ext. 204 or hporter@spj.org

Institute for Humane Studies Writing Competitions
The Institute for Humane Studies has just created two academic writing competitions worth $4,000 in prizes to recognize the work of outstanding graduate and undergraduate students. Select finalists will receive travel reimbursements to attend and present their work at the 2008 Social Change Workshop. Visit the IHS Web site for more information. The submission deadline is January 31, 2008.

Hearst Journalism Award
Professional Journalism track students are encouraged to participate in the 2006-2007 Hearst Journalism writing, photojournalism and broadcast news competitions. All entries must have been “published” or “broadcast” within the last year. Monthly scholarships will be awarded ranging from $500-2,000 to top entries. All finalists will compete in the National Championship Finals for additional scholarship awards ranging from $1,500-5,000. For more information visit The Hearst Foundation Web site.

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Registering for spring classes? Take advantage of the unique opportunities that these courses offer!

JOUR 4193: Community Newspaper Practicum
Instructors: Joni Berg and Lee Ann Schutz-Wahi
There’s no better place to learn the fundamentals of journalism than on the job at a community newspaper. Students are placed for the semester in actual community and specialty publication newsrooms across the Twin Cities. Prerequisites: 3004W, [3101 or 3201], [jour major or approved IDIM or BIS or ICP] Questions? Email jberg@swpub.com or lwahi@hotmail.com

JOUR 3991/5991 – The Art and Science of Persuasion
Instructor: Prof. Ken Doyle
Goals: Learn to persuade people to do what you want them to do by thinking strategically and crafting the right message for the right audience. Understand persuasion research and theory so you can apply it to your own work. How We’ll Get There: Read, discuss, practice, and get feedback on different methods of persuasion. One test, lots of practical projects. Prerequisites:non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]. For more info, e-mail Professor Ken Doyle at KenDoyle@umn.edu.

JOUR 4990: Documentary Photojournalism
Instructor: Prof. Dona Schwartz
Interested in photojournalism and documentary photography? This course is an opportunity to immerse yourself in documentary work, both as a photographer and as a viewer of the best work in the field. During the semester you will have the opportunity to produce your own photo documentary project, starting with framing an idea and ending with a completed portfolio of edited images. Prerequisites: JOUR major or approved IDIM or ICP or BIS major, JOUR 3102 or JOUR 4302

JOUR 5990: Science Journalism
Instructor: Dr. Jessica Marshall
As glaciers melt, factories turn corn into ethanol fuel, and politicians debate stem cell policy, science makes headlines every day. In this course, you will report and write stories about science. You will learn to ask the right questions about scientific findings and to explain complex concepts clearly and accurately. Practical skills to be covered in the course include: finding and evaluating science news stories; explaining complex concepts; choosing and interviewing sources; pitching stories; targeting different audiences; print and audio storytelling. Prerequisites: JOUR 3121 (or concurrently), graduate students, non-majors with instructor approval. Questions? Email Dr. Marshall at marshall.jessica@gmail.com

JOUR 5991: Media Law and Ethics Go to the Movies
Instructor: Prof. Jane Kirtley
Are you looking for a fun and different way to explore contemporary issues in media law and media ethics? You’ll learn some essential legal and ethical principles by watching more than 20 films and television episodes from the past and the present. Through class discussion, presentations, and essays, you’ll consider whether Hollywood’s version of media law and ethics is accurate and fair, and how it shapes public perceptions and policies affecting the press. Prerequisites: Journalism major or minor, or approved IDIM, ICP or BIS major, or graduate or law student status. Jour 3771, 3776, 5552, 5771, or 5777, or instructor’s approval, required.

Complete course information including meeting days/times is available at OneStop.

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STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS & OTHER NEWS

PRSSA
Wednesdays, 5:15 p.m., 100 Murphy
PRSSA is a group for anyone interested in Public Relations and what the field has to offer. Join us every Wednesday for speakers from a variety of PR professions, skills workshops and to gain real world experience working on one of our committees. Questions? Visit www.tc.umn.edu/~mnprssa/index.html or send an e-mail to umnprssa@gmail.com.

PRISM
PRISM is looking for more members this year! We are a multicultural, multimedium student group dedicated to diversity in the news and all fields of mass communication. We do a lot of work with local professionals for networking and professional development. PRISM's meetings are on Fridays from 1 p.m.-2p.m. in the Murphy Hall Conference Room. Hope to see you there!

AMERICAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION
AMA Weekly Meetings
Tuesdays, 12-1pm, Carlson School, L-118
All majors welcome! If you would like more information on our organization, including how to become a member, events and conferences, leadership opportunities, company tours, and more, please visit our website, www.umnmarketing.com!

AAJA-MINNESOTA
Are you a student of Asian American descent, or interested in promoting Asian-American issues in the media, and seriously interested in pursuing a career in journalism?  Join AAJA for 2008 and help further your career!  The Asian American Journalists Association is a national group of professional journalists who are committed to increasing diversity in the news media.  $20 gets you a yearlong membership to AAJA through the local Minnesota chapter. AAJA-Minnesota gives out two scholarships and two internships each year, and last summer sent two student memebrs to the National Convention in Miami to work on the student projects.
Current members, don't forget to renew for 2008!  Check out http://chapters.aaja.org/Minnesota/ for more information or contact Nancy Yang (nyang@pioneerpress.com).

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ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Politics in Minnesota Morning Report
Politics in Minnesota is offering SJMC students free subscriptions to its daily online publication. The PIM Morning Report is a news service published Monday through Friday that compiles online links to relevant stories from all the state's official and unofficial media sources. Morning Report readers can quickly and easily browse through organized topics of political news (plus economic and other news that is politically salient) from major media, as well as small-town publications and even blogs. Articles by Minnesota Daily staffwriters - Joy Peterson, Alex Robinson, and David Henry, for example - are frequently linked to as well. This is an opportunity to get the same Morning Report that Minnesota's policy makers, business leaders, legislators, lobbyists, and media open every morning. The big players tell us: The Morning Report helps them out - a lot!  To subscribe, go to www.politicsinminnesota.com or email a request to staff@politicsinminnesota.com

Roy W. Howard National Collegiate Reporting Competition
The collegiate reporting competition awards nine aspiring journalists a 12-day guided study tour to Japan and South Korea, an area of special interest to Roy W. Howard. The competition, established in 1984 in cooperation with the Indiana University School of Journalism, honors the memory of the journalist who led Scripps Howard Newspapers from 1922-1953.  Deadline for entering the 2008 Roy W. Howard competition, open to collegiate journalists, is Feb. 28, 2008. Click on 2008 rules and entry form for details. Winners will be announced March 17, and the trip will take place June 14-27, 2008.

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CAREER & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

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JOB & INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Transportation Studies publications intern
Get paid well to develop your writing and editing skills and learn all about transportation as a part-time publications intern at the University’s Center for Transportation Studies. CTS is looking for an organized self-starter with strong writing and editing experience to help copyedit, proof, and prepared documents for printing and the web; create PDFs; take, scan, and edit photos; and provide assistance for public relations event tasks, such as preparing display materials and handouts. Prefer any major that cultivates critical thinking and communications abilities (e.g., Rhetoric, Journalism, English, or a related field). Experience working with desktop publishing and Web software desired. Pay $9-$13/hr. Send letter of interest, resume, and two clips/writing samples to: Michael McCarthy, Editor, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, mpmccarthy@cts.umn.edu.

PRWeek Internship Competition
For the past five years, the PRWeek Student of the Year competition has offered students a remarkable opportunity to compete for a paid internship and substantial cash prize by pitching a PR campaign to a panel of senior communications executives. Details of the next challenge, including the company that will be featured in the campaign, will be announced in early September.  The entry deadline is Friday, December 14.  Entrants selected as the five finalists will be flown to New York to present their campaign idea to a panel of leading PR professionals. Interested students should download an entry kit at www.prweek.com/us/awards or send an e-mail with “Student of the Year” in the subject line to Laura.Quartuccio@prweek.com. If you have any further questions, please contact the PRWeek Awards Manager, Laura Quartuccio at 646-638-6108.

Study Abroad in Germany through DAAD
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is pleased to announce the launch of a new summer internship program in Berlin for American journalism students. Scholarships will be awarded to up to 20 students enrolled in a school of journalism or majoring in a journalism-related field and have at least "advanced intermediate" German language skills to take part in this structured 11-week study/internship program in Germany.  For the first six weeks, participants will expand their academic understanding of the politics, society and culture of Germany, and the country's current social conditions and media scene. Participants will do a week of project work with journalism students from the Independent States of the former Soviet Union and subsequently embark on an intensive four-week internship with a German newspaper, magazine or radio station.  The application deadline is February 15, 2008.  To find out about eligibility and the application requirements, please visit: www.daad.org/?p=internxchange

Job and Internship Fair
University of Minnesota, Job and internship fair is on Monday, February 25, 2008 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Minneapolis Convention Center, downtown Minneapolis www.umjobfair.org.  Come to the biggest student career fair in Minnesota! Nearly 200 organizations will be there recruiting for hundreds of jobs and internships. Check the Job Fair site to see which organizations are attending. The Fair is free and open to all U of M undergraduates, graduate students, and recent alumni. To register for it, go to www.umjobfair.org , where you'll also find preparation tips and info about free transportation. BONUS: If you register and attend, you could win great prizes!

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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Freedom Forum-NCAA Sports Journalism Scholarship Application 2007-08
The Freedom Forum, in cooperation with the NCAA, is seeking scholarship applications from college juniors with career goals in sports journalism, majors in journalism, or experience in campus sports journalism.  Eight $3,000 scholarships will be awarded for the 2007-08 academic year to outstanding sports journalists.  These awards are only available to current full-time juniors who will be completing their senior year in 2007-08.  For more information and an application visit the NCAA website at www.ncaa.org.  The deadline to apply is December 14.

CUNY-NAHJ Scholarship
NAHJ is proud to announce the creation of a new scholarship thanks to a partnership with The City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. The CUNY-NAHJ Scholarship worth $7,500 is open to NAHJ members. It’s a unique opportunity to enroll in the innovative, three-semester CUNY Graduate School of Journalism Program leading to an M.A. in journalism. The scholarship, funded by the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, is open to an NAHJ member with a demonstrated interest in increasing diversity in the journalism profession. Those interested in this scholarship must first submit an application and be accepted by the school. The deadline to apply is Jan. 2, 2008. Please visit http://journalism.cuny.edu/journalism/admissions.html for more information about the school, its admission requirements and to apply.

Katherine E. Sullivan Scholarship for Study Abroad
Applications are now available for the 2008-09 Katherine E. Sullivan Scholarship for Study Abroad. This scholarship provides full or partial support for a fifth year of undergraduate study in another country for outstanding students from any campus of the University of Minnesota. It is intended to support credit-bearing and usually classroom-based study abroad that immerses the student in the host university as well as in the host culture, for a full academic year or equivalent.  One to three scholarships will be awarded for 2008-09. Eligibility requirements: currently enrolled U of M undergraduate with senior status (at least 90 credits completed) by the end of Fall 2007, including at least 30 credits earned in residence at the University of Minnesota (any campus); GPA of 3.5 or higher; U.S. citizen or permanent resident.  Further information and a printable application are available at http://cla.umn.edu/honors/sullivan.htm.  Application deadline: February 8, 2008.

2008 Student Scholarship presented by Minnesota SPJ
The Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (MN SPJ) is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for its 2008 student scholarship. This year, MN SPJ will award two $1,500 scholarships to students pursuing a career in journalism. Applicants must either be enrolled in a post-secondary institution in Minnesota or be a Minnesota high school graduate enrolled in a post-secondary institution outside of Minnesota. Preference will be given to Society of Professional Journalists members. The deadline for application is February 15, 2008. Awards will be presented at MN SPJ’s annual Page One banquet in late May 2008.  Application forms can be found online at www.mnspj.org.

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