Moscow, Russia: Tour Information

Introduction

The University of Washington, Tacoma is seeking two students to travel to Moscow and jointly produce an issue of The Ledger/ Zhurnalist with students at Moscow State University (MSU). The trip is part of a competitive independent study that will take place Spring Break 2008. The students will team up with students from MSU to write, design and produce a 12- to 16-page newspaper. This is a valuable opportunity for students interested in journalism and communications and for the campus as a whole, and is part of a program originated in March 2003 between UWT and MSU.

With just one brief week of working as a team, students from both countries learn about differences in journalistic practices, how one might determine what is newsworthy, and how one might decide the best way to approach a news story. In addition, important cultural differences are illuminated, discussed, and processed independently and together by the Russian and U.S. students. While students can discuss other cultures in their university classes, this type of one-on-one experience cannot be reproduced in textbooks or traditional classrooms.

Academic Content

Students will earn up to 5 credits for TIAS 496 (Internship) during the Spring Quarter 2008. UWT students will travel with IAS professor Chris Demaske to Moscow where they will produce the newspaper from conceptualization of content through the entire publishing process. The final product will be distributed at both UWT and MSU.

Student Eligibility

UWT students from any program are welcome to apply. Successful candidates will need to have a passport or commit to applying for an expedited passport upon acceptance.

Application Process

To apply, submit a letter of intent and three to five writing samples (published writing preferred, but not required). You also may submit photos you've published and examples of page design/layout. The letter of intent should be no more than one page in length and should explain why you feel this would be a valuable experience for you and what journalism writing and/or production skills would make you a good choice for this exciting opportunity. Successful candidates will have experience writing, editing, and/or producing newspaper copy and working under deadline pressure. Those candidates also will have an enthusiasm and eagerness to work in an international context and the ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations.

Submit letters of intent and writing samples to Dr. Chris Demaske in the IAS Office, WCG 424, by noon on Friday, January 18.

Costs

The cost of the program is TBD. It will include:

• Roundtrip airfare
• Lodging

It will not include:

• Costs for travel documents (passport, visa)
• Meals
• Personal expenses

Payments are to be submitted to the UWT Cashier (address below). The payments are based on estimated costs for airfare and lodging. If actual costs are lower, students will be provided with refunds after completion of the program.

Send checks to:
University of Washington, Tacoma
Cashier (MAT 354)
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402

Equal Opportunity and Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran in accordance with University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations. The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Support Services Office at least ten days in advance. An appointment can be made through the front desk of Student Affairs (253-692-4400), through Student Services (692-4501), or by phoning Lisa Tice at 692-4493 (voice) or 692-4413 (TTY), or by email (ltice@u.washington.edu).