It takes hard work and determination to tell the big stories that matter to Nebraskans.
In Spring 2025, the College of Journalism and Mass Communications' award-winning Depth Reporting program will focus on the mass incarceration issue that plagues most states, including Nebraska.
About the Project
Beginning in the mid-70s, prison populations swelled across the nation, including in Nebraska. Across the nation, we now incarcerate more people than any other country in the world, with a prison population that has increased by 500% since 1970. As of August 2024, there are 2 million people in U.S. prisons and jails.
And get this: Nebraska has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the country.
An energetic team of passionate writers, photographers and videographers will research, analyze and dig into this topic and report on stories about those affected by this issue to elevate their stories, hold public officials accountable and explain the crisis.
About the Class
Investigative Depth Reporting will be offered in Spring 2025.
Students will enroll in JOUR 491/891.001 Investigative Depth Reporting 3-credit course
The class meets on Tuesdays and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Students should expect to spend 10-15 hours outside class working on their projects.
Travel to locations within Nebraska may be needed to complete stories. Group travel, if necessary, will be covered by the fund and will not be the responsibility of the student.
Benefit to you: You will learn how to investigate topics, and you will be pushed to advance your journalism skills. Your work may be entered into national prestige contests, some of which may carry monetary awards.
*For fall 2024, accepted students have the option of enrolling but will need to attend a 1-credit course, JOUR 491.952 in preparation for the spring 2025 course.
About the Program
The College of Journalism and Mass Communications Depth Reporting program is led by the Deepe Endowed Chairs in Depth Reporting Chris Graves and Linda White. The program focuses on producing professional-quality depth reports on topics of social importance.
Nine stories plus a podcast series were produced in the spring 2024 in Depth class on Missing, murdered, marginalized women. The documentary, 'On the Border: Sherry Wounded Foot's Story' won an Award of Excellence in the documentary category from Broadcast Education Association (BEA) On Location competition in August 2024.
Previous projects include Wounds of Whiteclay, the 2017 winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Grand Prize, that explored the devastating effects of alcohol sales in Whiteclay, Nebraska, to residents of the nearby Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. State of Waste was a 2021 podcast that explored what happens to garbage after it leaves the house in Nebraska.
The College of Journalism and Mass Communications Depth Reporting program is supported by the Deepe Family Endowment. The Endowment was established with the proceeds from the $4.65 million sale of farmlands donated by the estate of Martin and Doris Deepe from Hebron, Nebraska. The gift will elevate journalism education and investigative reporting at the university, ensuring that future generations of UNL graduates are equipped with the necessary skills to uncover and share stories of significance, particularly in the Great Plains and tribal communities.
Meet the Faculty
Apply Now
To apply students must submit a course application, two faculty references, a writing sample, a photo sample and a video sample demonstrating competency in these skills and complete an interview. Applications are accepted between September 1 and September 30.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am not a journalism or broadcast major, can I still apply?
Yes, as long as you can write, take photographs and shoot video effectively, you are welcome to apply. Show us your skills!
I am not in the College of Journalism of Mass Communications, can I still apply?
Yes, as long as you can write, take photographs and shoot video effectively, you are welcome to apply. Show us your skills!
What does the class entail?
This is a hands-on reporting and writing course and while there may be a few lectures, you should consider the professor more like your news director who is guiding your work, editing and providing feedback. You may be going into communities and talking with sources/subjects that may come from different experiences and situations than your background. You will likely also be talking with official sources as well in the college sports world. There will be multiple deadlines, some overlapping. Your work will be critiqued and often sent back for revisions or more reporting. This is natural and to be expected. The work, regardless of platform, will be published.
Are there prerequisites?
- CoJMC students must complete prerequisite courses, including JOMC 101, JOMC 130-134, and JOUR 200A with a grade of C or higher, as well as either ADPR 151, ADPR 221, ADPR 283, or BRDC 227, BRDC 269, BRDC 260, or SPMC 150, SPMC 250, or JOUR 200B with a grade of C or higher.
- For non-CoJMC students: At least a junior in good academic standing.
- There is an application process for course admission.
What will I need to provide to apply?
Broadcasting/podcasting samples and provide references from two UNL professors, including at least one from your home college. You will also complete a questionnaire and an interview.