About Backpack Journalism

Backpack Journalism at Creighton University is a collaboration between the Theology Department and the Journalism, Media, & Computing Department. It came about because of a theologian interested in social justice and filmmaking and a journalist and an artist interested in filmmaking and social justice.

Each summer, a small group of students travels to a community in search of a story. Led by professors Dr. John O’Keefe, Tim Guthrie, and Carol Zuegner, the students immerse themselves in the communities, interviewing, filming, recording, and writing. When they return to Creighton, they take the stories they have collected and develop them into a short documentary film. The Backpack Journalism documentaries have been accepted at several film festivals, including the Omaha Film Festival. The class has traveled to such far-flung places as the Dominican Republic and Uganda, Bethel Alaska and Nogales Arizona/Sonora. The next project is tentatively planned for Northern Uganda in 2018.

For more information or to apply to participate in the Uganda 2018 project, contact Dr. John O’Keefe (jokeefe@creighton.edu) or Dr. Carol Zuegner (carolzuegner@creighton.edu).

The adventure begins

April 18, 20112011 UgandaCarol Zuegner

We’re kicking off the Backpack Journalism 2011 with pizza and conversation at my house on Sunday, the night before we start our three intense days of getting academically and journalistically ready for the trip.

John, Tim and I are confident that the students will be ready to start telling the stories of people and the church in Uganda and how the people are working for peace. On Monday, we’ll start with blogs and theology and video. So it’s good to get ready with pizza and salad and conversation.

The days of class will be interspersed with packing and getting ready for the trip. I’ve got nearly everything — I keep forgetting the electrical adapter, which I won’t forget. It’s list-making time. And I know I have a lot to do when I make a list of the lists I have to make.

Even more reason to gather to keep building our own community. Top of my list: Enjoy the people and the moment.

About Backpack Journalism

Creighton Backpack Journalism

The adventure begins

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