Newswise — From Saturday, Jan. 5 through Wednesday, Jan. 9, approximately 30 American University students will rub elbows with the presidential candidates, their campaign staffs and the news media in Manchester, N.H., for the 2008 New Hampshire Presidential Primary.
The trip is the culmination of Special Topics in News Media: Covering the 2008 Presidential Election, a course offered by AU's School of Communication. Taught by faculty members Bill Gentile, Dotty Lynch and Lynne Perri, the course will focus on what makes election 2008 different in the eyes of young Americans. Topics covered will include New Hampshire's influence in presidential politics; the primary system; why campaigns started 18 months earlier than in recent election history; the influence of war and other issues important to young voters; political advertising; how emerging technology is changing the political environment; and the roles young people fill as voters, non-voters and activists.
During four intense days in Manchester, students will report, blog, film, conduct surveys and interviews, and analyze polls as they follow the candidates, visit candidates' headquarters, and interact with campaign staff and news media. In teams of five, students will chronicle their experiences in New Hampshire by producing 3 to 5 minute mini-documentaries focusing on different subjects. The mini-documentaries may ultimately be edited together to create a longer documentary with narration.
"The field trip to New Hampshire will provide the students first-hand experience in how things actually play out on the ground during the crucial period between the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary," Lynch said. "We hope the students will gain a greater understanding of the political process and of the role young people are playing as voters - or non-voters, activists and journalists."
Gentile is an assistant professor and artist-in-residence with 30 years of field experience reporting and shooting photos, video and film. Lynch is an executive-in-residence and a political consultant for CBS News. Perri is a journalist-in-residence and a former deputy managing editor of graphics and photography at USA TODAY. Additional instruction will be provided by Richard Bennedetto, former White House correspondent for USA TODAY and a faculty member in the School of Communication and School of Public Affairs; Glenn Luther, a former photojournalist and manager of the School of Communication's multimedia labs; Jim Wooten, former ABC News journalist; and Jules Witcover, nationally-syndicated Tribune Media Services political columnist and professorial lecturer in the School of Communication.
Prior to their departure, students will meet for comprehensive class sessions on Thursday, Jan. 3 and Friday, Jan. 4. The sessions will include lectures, discussions, videos and hands-on training with digital audio recorders and video equipment. Schedules are as follows:
Jan. 3"¢ 10 a.m. " noon: Course Overview with instructors Lynch and Perri.
"¢ 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Backpack Journalism/VJ Overview and Hands-On Instruction with instructors Gentile and Wooten.
"¢ 7 p.m.: "Pizza and Politics" Iowa caucus watch party with students and faculty.
Jan. 4"¢ 10 a.m. " 11a.m.: History of Presidential Primaries with instructor Bennedetto. "¢ 11 a.m. " noon: Political Reporting in New Hampshire with instructors Lynch and Perri.
"¢ 1 p.m. " 4 p.m.: How to Develop a Documentary: Telling a Story with instructors Gentile and Wooten.
Once they return from Manchester, the class will meet Wednesday evenings through March 5.
To interview a faculty member or student, either prior to or during the primary, contact Maggie Barrett or Maralee Csellar with AU's Office of Media Relations.
American University's School of Communication is a laboratory for professional education, communication research and innovative production across the fields of journalism, film and media arts, and public communication. Patrick Butler, vice president of The Washington Post Company; Susan Zirinsky, executive producer for CBS's "48 Hours Investigates" ; and Tony Perkins, morning anchor for WTTG Fox 5 and former meteorologist for ABC's "Good Morning America" are among the School of Communication's alumni who maintain close relationships with the school.
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