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Environmental Communication in Leipzig: Between Legacy and Transformation in the Coal Mining Fields of the Leipzig Region This program will provide students with a thorough introduction to basic issues in environmental communication and journalism with an emphasis on various coal mines and brownfield sites in East Germany and their ecological transformation. During the 4 ½ -week program, working individually or in small teams, students will research, write and produce journalistic pieces on environmental issues of the greater Leipzig Region and other selected sites. Students will collaborate on a course blog and create entries (specific articles and multimedia pieces) for it. The program will be based in Leipzig, Germany, which is rich in history and culture. In addition to class meetings, the program will include a variety of site visits and field trips. With prior approval, students may also travel individually to others. The last three days of the program will take place in Berlin, where students will explore the political context of environmental issues and look at policy making related to it. |
When does the program take place?
OLEC Summer Program will take place from June 20 - July 20, 2011
Application Deadline
Preparation
During the Spring quarter, Students will participate in a number of orientation meetings. In addition, two field trips to coal mining sites of the Little Cities of Black Diamonds will be held. Students will also read selected chapters from Robert Cox's book "Environmental Communication" (2009).
Summer 2011 Courses and Credits:
Participants must register for 12 credits TOTAL:
- JOUR 492 or COMS 480 or MDIA 470A – Environmental Communication and Journalism
(4 credits; register according to your major)
This course provides an introduction to environmental communication and journalism with a specific focus on the Leipzig area. It analyzes conceptual, socio-political, and ethical aspects of environmental reporting and addresses how to research, report, and write about the environment. Students will produce blog entries and multimedia pieces on selected topics. The course also includes guest speakers and field trips to various locations.
- GEOG 201 – Environmental Geography (4 credits)
This course provides an overview of environmental geography with an emphasis on specific issues in the greater Leipzig area. Topics will include the study of landscapes and their change, water and soil ecology, environmental technology, terrestrial ecology, and environmental policy. The course also includes guest speakers and field trips to various locations.
- ML 250F – Field Studies in Germany (4 credits)
This course will be largely experiential and will include various field trips and presentations by guest speakers, and some very basic German language instruction.
Who should enroll for the 2011 Leipzig Summer program?
The program addresses specifically students in the Scripps College of Communication and in the Honors Tutorial College. Students from topically-related programs (e.g. environmental studies) are welcome to apply, as well. A minimum 3.0 GPA or permission of director required for participation.
Summer Directors
Dr. Bernhard Debatin is a professor in the School of Journalism. His teaching and research interests include environmental and science journalism, media ethics, online journalism, and media theory. Before coming to Ohio University in 2000, he taught for twelve years in Germany at the Leipzig University and at various Universities in Berlin. In 2002, he led Ohio University’s OLEC summer program in Leipzig. As a native German and long-term environmentalist, he is intimately familiar with environmental issues in both Germany and the U.S.
Karla Sanders is a graduate student in the Environmental Studies program of Ohio University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography and a Certificate in Environmental Studies. Her interest in communicating stories about the environment came to fruition in her co-authorship on the book “Leading from the Past” (2010), which tells stories of the Leading Creek Watershed, where she worked as an AmeriCorps volunteer in 2009.
Contact Information:
Bernhard Debatin
office phone: 593-9809
Email: debatin@ohio.edu
Karla Sanders
Email: ks156205@ohio.edu