The Gene A. Burd Institute on Media & Politics
An engaging, hands-on experience created to introduce students to the relationship between media and politics.
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Date
July 15 - 20, 2024 -
Duration
6 Days -
Location
Georgetown University -
Cost
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Gene A. Burd Institute on Media & Politics will be offered as a specialized learning track within the inaugural JSA National Convention hosted at Georgetown University from July 15 - 20, 2024. Stay tuned for more details!
About the Program
The Gene A. Burd Institute on Media & Politics is a one-week residential summer program, also offered virtually.
Students begin with an introduction to journalism before engaging in sophisticated discussions and projects centered around political and advocacy communication. They will have opportunities to collaborate with peers in hands-on activities including analyzing media bias, writing editorial content, creating podcasts and videos, and creating political communication plans and events.
Students will have opportunities to engage with current media professionals. Past presenters include Camille Hahn, Managing Editor of Ms. Magazine; Jeffrey Marcus, Editor, New York Times; Julie Mastrine, Allsides.com; Dan Schnur, Professor at Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy at USC; and Jonathan Karl, former White House Correspondent; Nick White, KCRW; Matthew Summy, Comcast; Amy Watanabe, Nakatomi & Associates; Danielle Fairlee, Nakatomi & Associates; Eric Dezenhall, Dezenhall Resources; Sergio Lopez, Councilmember for the City of Campbell, CA; Marilyn Chavez-Martinez, Daily Bruin; Kari Lau, Daily Bruin; Alex Leeds Matthews, U.S. News & World Report.
Who Should Attend?
The material for The Gene A. Burd Institute is designed for high school students in 9th-12th grade. The youngest group who can sign up for this experience are incoming 9th graders.
2023 Confirmed Speakers
We're excited to share two confirmed speakers, with many more to come. Our keynote speaker, Dan Schnur, is a professor at UC Berkeley, Pepperdine University, and the University of Southern California, where he teaches courses in politics, communications, and leadership. Julie Mastrine is a writer and director of marketing at AllSides, a website providing balanced news and media bias ratings.
Keynote Speaker
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Goals & Outcomes
Students who participate in our Burd Institute will:
Be better equipped to participate in government at the national, state, and local levels
Be able to lead and participate in civil conversations with people from different backgrounds and perspectives
Learn and demonstrate effective 21st-century leadership skills
Be ready to address current and future political, economic, and social issues facing the world
Be better suited to succeed in secondary and post-secondary education environments
Develop and hone essential critical thinking skills