Writing For Digital And New Media Course Makes History At The University Of Illinois At Chicago

Meet The Pioneers

Dulce Jazmin Hernandez "Sweet Opinion"

Hristo Bojilov "The Architect"

Francisca Corona "The Publicity Powerhouse"

Miguel Andrade "The Motivator"

Alondra Cambray Pena "The Ambitionist"

Hugo Novales "The Architect"

Chatelaine Dunord "The Visualist"

Christian Henmueller "Snicker"

Olga Ziminska "Cosplay Enthusiast"

Tikia Travis "The Editor"

Teddy Wilson Gargiulo "The Loganite"

H. Jullie Han "The Stargazer"

Richard Gonzalez "The Perfectionist"

Maria Canchola "The Practical Introvert"

Bernadine Williams "The Perpetuator"

Jacob Annett "Introspective Investigator"

Jean Choi "The Bookworm"

Rachel Knowles "The Creative"

Writing for digital and new media is a sure bet for big bucks.

What story are you looking to write next?

The ladies got information and in formation when it came to gathering content.

Get prepared to go toe-to-toe for a bit of friendly competition.

They entered the course this spring hoping to learn innovative writing techniques to produce a multitude of content online. It is safe to say they got that and a whole lot more when 18 students landed a spot in history at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) by taking the first-ever English 383: Writing For Digital And New Media course. The class is taught by lecturer Dr. Margena A. Christian.

Students explore aspects of media convergence and methods for backpack journalism. They also examine journalism ethics, standards and law along with being required to produce original content, including a final feature writing project that includes a story, images and video footage.

“When I first signed up for the class with Dr. Christian, I thought it would be just that: just another class,” said Rachel Knowles, a student in the course, “but after we began writing, I became so inspired that I went ahead and started my own blog – PrettyCityLiving. It’s been so fun to just get creative and have a voice. I definitely encourage others to take the course.”

The culminating project, a website that includes a blog component, is designed and created by each student. To view online portfolios of each student, click on his/her image above.

Richard Gonzalez, another student in the groundbreaking class, said,
"This course gave me hands-on experience that no writing course at UIC has given me before."

The university describes the course as teaching "rhetorical, practical and ethical aspects of digital writing; digital literacy, and the use of digital platforms in professional environment." Jacob Annett, also a member of the inaugural class, said, "Most English classes focus on abstract analysis and theory, but 383 gives me real tools outside of the classroom environment."

To view online portfolios of each student, click on his/her image above.

Before one can take English 383, the person must first complete English 202: Media and Professional Writing, which provides "media analysis and writing, including interviews, news, features, and public relations communications." Dr. Christian teaches the Tuesday/Thursday section. Below, click on each image to view online portfolios for her students.

The English 383 class, implemented as part of the Professional Writing concentration under the English major and minor, will be offered again in Spring 2017. In the meantime, three additional new courses in the Professional Writing program include the following: Editing and Publishing (ENGL 382), Technical Writing (ENGL 384), and Advanced Professional Writing (ENGL 381), a course also taught by Dr. Christian.

For more information about this UIC course or any others listed, contact Dr. Jennifer Rupert at (312) 413-2217 or e-mail at Jruper1@uic.edu.