Mobile Storytelling in the Outdoors, Pacific Northwest

This program includes pre-program orientation meetings on the Texas State University campus in the spring 2023 semester and will also include a required, 11-day field trip to Oregon in June 2023.

Study In America Experience

The Storytelling in the Parks Study in America program is back! Students will receive a wide range of storytelling knowledge and skills while studying in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Students will produce video, social and written stories on topics of their own choosing while in the parks.

Program locations: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Mt. Hood National Forest, Washington Park, International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Tea Garden, Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, Fort Stevens State Park, Ecola State Park

Program includes:

  • Lodging in cabins

  • Linens package for lodging

  • Van transportation while in Oregon

  • Park entrance fees

  • Welcome and goodbye dinners

  • Breakfast and lunch options

Department

Journalism and Mass Communication

Courses

MC 4382Y _ Dale Blasingame 

Mobile Storytelling in the Outdoors

CRN: 

MC 4356F _ Jessica James

Feature Writing 

CRN: 

Instructor/Program Director

Dale Blasingame

Email: blasingame@txstate.edu

Jessica James

Email:  jlj138@txstate.edu

Program Assistant

 Sara Shields

Email: sms213@txstate.edu

Course Dates

 05/30/23- 06/30/23 Meeting Dates:

Program Travel Dates

 06/12/23-06/22/23

 

Study in America Costs

Tuition, Fees, and the Program Fee are financial aid eligible.

TUITION & FEES: $1844.16

Undergraduate Rate
6 Hour (2 Courses)

PROGRAM FEE: $ 1,450

Includes Lodging, Van Transportation, Park Entrance Fees, & Some Group Meals

IMPORTANT NOTE:
All university policies regarding installments, course drops, and refunds apply to all billed and paid tuition and fees. Course tuition and program fee will be billed and paid through SBS Billing and Payment.
 

OUTSIDE EXPENSES NOT INCLUDED IN PROGRAM FEE:
Airfare, some meals, and personal expenses are NOT included in the program fee.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Follow these steps to enroll.

STEP 3

Applications are reviewed by the Program Director & ODEL

STEP 4 - REGISTER

ODEL notifies student with registration directions

ELIGIBILITY

Participants eligible for program acceptance must be in good academic standing in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Space is limited to up to 14 students.

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REGISTERING FOR COURSES

You must register for your course through the Student Information System/CatsWeb during the regular University registration period.

For more information about the content of the program, please contact Mr. Dale Blasingame

For questions about applying/registering, please contact the Office of Distance and Extended Learning.

Expand FAQ List

  • Course Information

    • MC 4382Y. Mobile Storytelling in the Outdoors.

      This course explores mobile tools and skills relevant to the digital age, particularly the usage of smart phones in storytelling. Students will use those skills to produce video and social content in the outdoors.

      3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 1 Lab Contact Hour.
      Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
      Grade Mode: Standard Letter


      MC 4356F. Feature Writing.

      A course designed to expose students to the art of feature writing through the study of acclaimed works of literary journalism. Students will develop a narrative voice of their own while studying and analyzing the techniques of a diverse group of writers. (WI) Prerequisite: MC 1313 with a grade of "C" or better.

      3 Credit Hours. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 2 Lab Contact Hours.
      Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Lab Required|Topics|Writing Intensive
      Grade Mode: Standard Letter

    • For more information related to Tuition & Fees, please visit the following pages: 

      ODEL- Costs   |   Student Business Services 

  • Drop and Refund Policy

    • Drop Refund - Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses on campus.  Refer to the Registrar's Web site for more information.

    • Students are able to receive a refund on the Program Fee that falls within this refund schedule. This is separate from the refund deadlines associated with tuition costs.

      The following policy applies to students that drop/withdraw from the course -

      • 100% of the Program Fee is Refundable '45' days prior to the course start date.
      • 70% of the Program Fee is Refundable '44' days prior to the course start date. 
      • 50% of the Program Fee is Refundable after the first start date of the course. 

      Students that cannot complete the program and would like to appeal the refund policy, please contact the SIA Coordinator, for more assistance. Please note: the course start date is not the first day of travel. 

  • Covid-19 Travel Information

    • If you are planning to participate in a Texas State Study in America Program you have access to On Call International, which provides medical and travel assistance services. This service is a great benefit in the event you need help while participating in the program. 

  • Study in America FAQ

    • Depending on your financial aid eligibility, it may cover tuition, fees, and the program fee. The only cost for students is the expenses in the non-program fee such as airfare, personal meals, etc. 

    • It is! Both programs provide a travel aspect to the course offering. Study in America focuses on domestic destinations, shorter traveling periods, and is more cost-efficient for the student.