CLASS PROJECTS
Faculty and students in the Department of Communication and Journalism work on a variety of hands-on projects. Here are some examples:
Vision Magazine
"Vision is a publication that celebrates the rich history of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire women’s studies program and all who have fought for the equality and the empowerment of women. Through an open mind and cultural introspection, Vision promises to provide a glimpse at the world through the eyes of today’s woman."
CJ222, Spring 2009
Students enrolled in Jan Larson's CJ222 News Reporting and Writing interviewed peers and wrote two versions of a feature profile -- one in print style and one in broadcast style. They then posted their stories online. Our students are musicians, athletes, community activists and much more. Read all about them and listen to the audio stories, too.
Neighborhood Watch
Northside, southside, downtown. Whatever point on the compass it fills, Each Eau Claire neighborhood has a distinct identity. During the fall of 2008, students enrolled in Associate Professor Jan Larson's Advanced Reporting course explored Eau Claire's neighborhoods in an effort to understand what brings residents together to shape a community. The result is "Neighborhood Watch," an online publication focusing on the people and events contributing to the neighborhoods that make up Eau Claire.
Fresh Magazine
Greenhouse
Students in the spring 2007 Magazine Editing and Design course, taught by Associate Professor Jan Larson, created GreenHouse, an online magazine for the socially conscious reader who wants to explore "greener" alternatives to make for a more environmentally-conscious home and lifestyle.
Working
Bus drivers, tattoo artists and eye doctors all have something in common. They live and work in Eau Claire. During the fall of 2006, students enrolled in Associate Professor Jan Larson's Advanced Reporting course took time to find out how work informs and shapes the lives of Eau Claire residents. Students enrolled in Larson's News Editing and Design course edited the stories and designed the online publication, "Working."
Being 13
To find out what life is like for the typical Eau Claire 13-year-old, students enrolled in the Fall 2005 Advanced Reporting class launched a community project entitled Being 13. Under the direction of Associate Professor Jan Larson, students met with dozens of area 13 year olds exploring everything from their thoughts on music and culture to their struggles to fit in at school, at home and in the community.
CJ 222
Students enrolled in Associate Professor Jan Larson's introductory reporting course learn to write for print, broadcast and online venues. Each semester students research and write profiles on their peers and create a Web site featuring their work. These stories highlight a unique aspect of each student's life.
Brink
Under the direction of Associate Professor Jan Larson, the spring 2006 Magazine Editing and Design class produced, “Brink,” a magazine designed for high school students on the brink of life changes. As its mission statement reads, Brink offers “Midwestern teens the wisdom they need before facing life’s crossroads.”
Kick
Students in the spring 2005 Magazine Editing and Design course, taught by Lecturer Andris Straumanis, conceptualized and produced an online lifestyles magazine called Kick. The publication examines fitness, nutrition and sexual health.
VoteSmart
During fall semester 2004, students in Assistant Professor Mike Dorsher’s Public Affairs Reporting class examined state and national elections and developed the VoteSmart site. They prepared online and audio versions of stories before and after balloting.
Magnet
Students staying around campus for summer classes during the summer of 2003 may have enjoyed Magnet, an online magazine that examined what to do in and around Eau Claire. The magazine was created by the spring 2003 Magazine Editing and Design class.
Clothesline
The spring 2002 Magazine Editing and Design class produced Clothesline, an online magazine full of sarcasm and practical advice for college students. The magazine also encouraged students from outside of the class to submit their prose, poetry and art. From a design standpoint, the magazine also tried an unconventional online presentation, asking readers to scroll sideways rather than up and down.
Snap
It took them a while to come up with a name for the publication, but students in the spring 2001 Magazine Editing and Design course finally decided on Snap. The concept for the publication was something like Martha Stewart Living for UW-EC students. The magazine had plenty of practical pieces about surviving and enjoying campus life, making the most with the little that you have.
Go Magazine
Would students at UW-Eau Claire read a magazine aimed at those who are close to graduation and are interested in careers, the challenges of living on one’s own, and entertainment possibilities far afield? That’s what the staff of Go Magazine (students in the Magazine Editing and Design course) aimed to find out with their spring semester 2000 project. If you want to see what the magazine would have looked like in print, download the Adobe Acrobat PDF version.
