Explorations in a Changing America
Demographically, culturally, politically, geographically, technologically. The United States is evolving in many ways, through its people, institutions, policies and cultures. For the summer of 2009, News21 fellows traveled the nation, investigating a wide range of topics, looking to present their in-depth journalism in fresh ways with innovative approaches. Their reporting followed a spring seminar that immersed them in their topics and helped them to sharpen their investigation and digital presentations.
Arizona State: Latino Experience Across America
The Carnegie Transborder Seminar focused on multidisciplinary study of issues relevant to the American Southwest and Latino migration patterns and cultural issues.The "Latino America" project documents the changing experiences of Latinos at school, in the military, at church and at work in a series of seven innovative multimedia packages.
Berkeley: Intersections
An interdisciplinary seminar called Metropolis formed the basis of this project."Bay Area Communities at the Crossroads" captures the changing nature of four California communities with interactive tools and a working prototype of a national database for reporters to share hard-to-find data about cities.
Columbia: The Charter School Explosion
The stories tied to this project stem from a specialty reporting class on education that included a stand-alone Web site.In "Hybrid Schools in Public Education" Columbia delves into the charter school movement, using examples from New York, Minnesota, D.C., Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan. The project Includes a map showing charter school growth.
Maryland: The New Voters and U.S. Politics
News 21 fellows participated in the Carnegie research seminar, which concentrated on demographic, attitudinal and political shifts that may have contributed to the election of the nation’s first African-American president.With "Identity and U.S. Politics," Maryland explores how three fast-growing sets of voters – Latinos, youth and mixed-race – are poised to transform American politics. An innovative tag cloud player enhances individual storytelling;
North Carolina: Powering a Nation
The spring seminar focused on U.S. demographics and energy use, particularly in light of population pressures on the environment.North Carolina's "Quest for Energy in a Changing USA" project shows how increased demand for energy use is producing cracks in the way America gets power. Interactive graphics and video illustrate possible solutions.
Northwestern: Shift: ctrl+alt+enter life
Via a seminar in audience insights, fellows from Northwestern's Medill School focused on individuals and urban identities."Young Urban Adults and the New America" examines the issues confronting the generation of young adults as they face their futures in a diverse America. Issues include identify, lifestyle, career, community, social responsibility, dating/marriage and others.
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Southern California: Southwestern Shifts
USC's "New Communities and New Realities" seminar concentrated on fundamental demographic shifts in the American Southwest and the Mountain West and the resulting political, economic, cultural and social implications.In "New Communities and New Realities," students show how demographic shifts in the Southwest and Mountain West are creating new social dynamics and relations among communities young and old.
Syracuse: The Young and the Wireless
The spring "News for the 21st Century" seminar concentrated the students' attentions on youth across American and how technology empowers them, or not.Syracuse's "Net Gen Rising" project produces video portraits of young people and their families that explore how technology is – and is not – empowering youth in 11 demographically diverse communities across America.
