Newspapers in Curricula (NiC): An initiative in support of the newspapers-on-campus program at UNO

Purpose and Goals The purpose of the NiC program is to support the newspapers-on-campus initiative which started at UNO this fall semester 2007 by developing curricula which utilizes those newspapers in the classroom. Students have access to three papers on a daily basis: The New York Times, The Omaha World Herald, and USA Today. Funding for the papers is provided by student fees.

The university is committed to civic engagement and writing across the curriculum. Newspapers are an excellent tool for faculty and students in developing civic engagement. In order to promote faculty and student use of the newspapers in the classroom, the university is sponsoring a faculty group to design newspaper-based assignments and explore the influence of the newspaper in the classroom on student behavior and attitudes. A core group will be selected across disciplines to design and promote newspaper-based curricula with the goal of producing shared documents for the university commun

As an AQIP institution, UNO is committed to developing quality programs. The NiC program specifically supports two AQIP categories: Helping Students Learn and Building Collaborative Relationships. In support of the American Democracy Project on campus, NiC members will develop curricula based on newspaper reading which will mesh civic engagement activities with discipline specific pedagogy. The program will assist faculty and students in making maximum use of the available newspapers in a manner that promotes learning at UNO.

Procedures Once the NiC group has been selected, they will meet on a regular basis to exchange ideas and develop curricula. Material will be posted to the UNO Civic Participation Project website for access by other faculty members. A report on the project will be presented in April to Dr. Smith-Howell by Maria Anderson Knudtson, the project coordinator.

Selection and Stipend Faculty members who are interested in participating in this initiative should apply electronically with the application form to Paul Sather, Coordinator of the Civic Participation Project. Selection will be based on interest level and variety of disciplines represented. Applications should be returned electronically by October 17, 2007.

Participating faculty will receive $200 upon project completion in the spring as transfer funds within their department available for educational purchases.

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