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.

Every other 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 across the United States. 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 scheduled for the summer of 2020 and will focus on deforestation in Eastern Africa.

Class photo, Uganda 2012

June 4, 20122012 Ugandadirector

For the members of the Backpack Journalism 2012 team, the past few days have been filled with cameras, video, equipment, list-making, packing (or thinking about packing) and excitement as the countdown to the departure gets closer.

One of the Backpack traditions is the class photo. With the help of JM&C department coordinator and photographer Nichole Jelinek, the team tried for serious (didn’t quite happen), reflective and silly.

pensive2 — Front, from left, Heidi Hoffman, Sara Gentzler, Gabby Hart; Middle, Patrick Keaveny, John O'Keefe, Chase Ehlers, Carol Zuegner, Teresa Dorsey Back, Jason Goins, Joe Garnett, Alison Prater; Upside down, Tim Guthrie

The time-out for photos comes as the team begins to delve into the theology of the African Church, more video shooting and editing and journalistic interviewing. Two more days of class and then the journey really begins.

About Backpack Journalism

Creighton Backpack Journalism

Class photo, Uganda 2012

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