Marginalia, Graduate Blog

Blog Topics: Journalism

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Journalism

Lisagor Awards

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The gang

The gang

I went to my first journalism awards ceremony last week. My friend Reema Amin who is also in the Journalism MA program, was nominated for a Peter Lisagor Award for three of her stories in AustinTalks.

Lisagor Awards

I went to my first journalism awards ceremony last week. My friend Reema Amin who is also in the Journalism MA program, was nominated for a Peter Lisagor Award for …

Journalism MA Katie Kather, kathryn.kather@loop.colum.edu
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

Good days and bad days

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Henry Luce quote

Henry Luce quote

We are down to about three weeks left in the semester, but I don’t feel a sense of relief. I can’t even see past next week.

If you’ve been following along, you guys know I love this program. But I’m having a hard time today drumming up a bunch of enthusiasm to share with you. And I think that’s okay.

Good days and bad days

We are down to about three weeks left in the semester, but I don’t feel a sense of relief. I can’t even see past next week. If you’ve been following …

Journalism MA Katie Kather, kathryn.kather@loop.colum.edu
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

Buses, Vegas, and Headphone Hair

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Vegas Pro

Vegas Pro

I’m learning a lot this week.

First of all, let’s talk about CTA buses. For some reason, buses used to intimidate the hell out of me. I was so confused about them. So many routes, so many stops, so many…strangers. I finally learned how to navigate this grand city via bus after I exchanged words with a middle aged business man who thought he could micromanage my cab-hailing at Union Station.

Buses, Vegas, and Headphone Hair

I’m learning a lot this week. First of all, let’s talk about CTA buses. For some reason, buses used to intimidate the hell out of me. I was so confused …

Journalism MA Katie Kather, kathryn.kather@loop.colum.edu
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

The twists and turns of life

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First day

First day

Have we talked about how life is crazy yet?

A little over a year ago, I was sleeping with my phone in case I got a call at 4:30 a.m. telling me my store wasn’t open.

The twists and turns of life

Have we talked about how life is crazy yet? A little over a year ago, I was sleeping with my phone in case I got a call at 4:30 a.m. …

Journalism MA Katie Kather, kathryn.kather@loop.colum.edu
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

The Power of Storytelling

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Conference spoils

Conference spoils

Through the Journalism Department, five of us had the opportunity to go to the Boston University Narrative Conference this weekend. It was called The Power of Narrative: Storytelling Journalism goes Digital.

We had the opportunity to hear from and meet some amazing journalists and writers. Tracy Kidder, Ann Friedman, and Dan Grossman were there, to name a few.

The Power of Storytelling

Through the Journalism Department, five of us had the opportunity to go to the Boston University Narrative Conference this weekend. It was called The Power of Narrative: Storytelling Journalism goes …

Journalism MA Katie Kather, kathryn.kather@loop.colum.edu
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

Spring break?

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Working hard over the weekend

Working hard over the weekend

In all the years I went to college off and on, I never indulged in spring break. This year, my first in grad school, I made plans to see my sister in Texas. She just had a baby last month. I expected to have to do some work—I mean, it is grad school.

Spring break?

In all the years I went to college off and on, I never indulged in spring break. This year, my first in grad school, I made plans to see my …

Journalism MA Katie Kather, kathryn.kather@loop.colum.edu
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

On Stereotypes

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Caribouism

Caribouism

Last week, a long-time female journalist I respect told me not to be a stereotype after I laughed at something. Admittedly, it was nervous laughter because I felt intimidated at the moment, but it got me thinking about why laughing would make a young female journalist a stereotype.

And to be honest, it pissed me off.

On Stereotypes

Last week, a long-time female journalist I respect told me not to be a stereotype after I laughed at something. Admittedly, it was nervous laughter because I felt intimidated at …

Journalism MA Katie Kather, kathryn.kather@loop.colum.edu
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

Sunshine Week and Verification Methods

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Andy Shaw of the Better Government Association

Andy Shaw of the Better Government Association

Sunshine Week

Happy Sunshine Week! Well, retroactively by the time you read this. Chicago’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists hosted some events to participate in the nationwide discussion of open government, two of which were held at Columbia.

I was able to go to FOIA Fest on Monday. Andy Shaw, head of watchdog group the Better Government Association (BGA), talked about the importance of data. To paraphrase, he talked about the importance of watchdog groups and said that journalists expose problems and drive change.

Sunshine Week and Verification Methods

Sunshine Week Happy Sunshine Week! Well, retroactively by the time you read this. Chicago’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists hosted some events to participate in the nationwide discussion …

Journalism MA Katie Kather, kathryn.kather@loop.colum.edu
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

A Brief Collection of Students’ Published Work

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Organized chaos

Organized chaos

We are about six or seven months into the Journalism MA program, and it has been hard. We rely on each other a lot: to vent, brainstorm, and share each other’s excitement. Combined, we probably have thousands of rewrites, millions of pages of notes, hours of recorded interviews, and several empty bottles of wine.

But combined, we also have quite a portfolio. We have written about everything from tanning regulations to Chicago’s “no snitch” culture—and everything in between.

So today, I am proud to share with you a small collection of our work. For current students in the cohort, I hope this makes you proud. For future students, I hope this motivates you and validates your decision to join this wonderful and challenging program.

A Brief Collection of Students’ Published Work

We are about six or seven months into the Journalism MA program, and it has been hard. We rely on each other a lot: to vent, brainstorm, and share each other’s …

Journalism MA Katie Kather, kathryn.kather@loop.colum.edu
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

I’m moving to Chicago…but where?!

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View from Lincoln Park Whole Foods

View from Lincoln Park Whole Foods

Chicago can be a bit overwhelming if you aren’t from the area. Thankfully, it’s a city of neighborhoods, which makes exploring easy. Below are some excerpts about various Chicago neighborhoods from a few students in the program. Students also live in the South Loop, Lakeview and Lincoln Park.

I’m moving to Chicago…but where?!

Chicago can be a bit overwhelming if you aren’t from the area. Thankfully, it’s a city of neighborhoods, which makes exploring easy. Below are some excerpts about various Chicago neighborhoods …

Journalism MA Katie Kather, kathryn.kather@loop.colum.edu
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

The Graduate Experience

Krista Franklin's thesis work
Krista Franklin's thesis work
Party Hearty
Party Hearty
Sassy (my cat) and Montaigne
Sassy (my cat) and Montaigne
Interview
Interview
The gang
The gang
Rainbow Canyon Collection
Rainbow Canyon Collection