Social Media Class: Savor South Madison

Course Title: Journalism 670: Technology for Social Change; formerly called J676: Special Topic: Technology for Social Change
Semester: since Fall 2011 offered every semester
Instructor/CUE AffiliateYoung Mie Kim
Community PartnerSouth Metropolitan Planning Council

Abstract: This course operated much as a professional media consultancy firm would in the real-world, for the students to gain experience in working with a client. The students interviewed Park St. Restaurant owners and and created profiles for each restaurant on a new website SavorSouthMadison.com. The various food establishments in South Madison, specifically on South Park Street, provide many opportunities for people to have a unique dining and social experience.

Student Learning Goals:

  • learn theory and practice of technology for social change
  • develop social media campaign that makes salient in the minds of all Madison residents
  • promote food culture of South Madison

Deliverable Product or Service: Based on research (including interviews and video recordings), students have developed an integrated social media through the application of a website on a WordPress platform, TwitterFacebookPinterests, and Youtube.

Web entry to Savor South MadisonCUE Project Area:  South Madison

Document(s):

South Madison

Overview: The CUE South Madison was initially a CUE pilot project. The project was developed collaboratively with community partners (see below). The community needs assessment suggested the South side’s top 3 community-identified priorities: (1) economic vitality, (2) image/perception of stigma of the area, and (3) healthy food access and nutrition education. The “image/perception of stigma of the area” was chose by students during the pilot year. The other two priorities were addressed in the year after the pilot year in different service learning courses. Geographically, the South Madison is a highly unique area in Madison with rich culture and dynamism, which confirmed by our ongoing collaboration even after the CUE pilot year.

Objectives: We had two main goals for the pilot project: (1) to create an infrastructure for campus-community partnerships that would provide an opportunity for community groups to access the UW with specific issues and problems; and (2) to work on an actual partnership between the university and the community. After the pilot, we continue to help South Madison with their self-identified community priorities.

Project Activities:

  • Slow-Food UW, promoting local and fresh food in South Madison, Spring 2011-current [project activity page]
  • A GIS certificate student helped Common Wealth Development with mapping foreclosed properties in the area to underscore need for federal Neighborhood stabilization funds, Fall 2010 [project activity page]

Project Courses:

  • Inter-HE 504 (1): CUE: South Madison, a pilot for community-campus partnership, Spring 2011
  • CNSR 477: Making Park St more Accessible and Welcoming to Students, Spring 2011
  • Inter-HE 560: Community Leadership, Fall 2011
  • J676: Technology for Social Change, Fall 2011 [project course page]
  • InterHE 570: Community-Based Research and Evaluation, Spring 2012
  • Family Voices Mentor Tutoring Program, Spring 2012 [project course page]
  • N590: Culturally Congruent Health Care Practice, Fall 2012 [project course page]
  • ENVSTUDIES 600: Community-Based Research with South Madison Farmers Market, Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 [project course page]

Project Information
CUE Affiliates: Beth Tryon, Margaret Nellis, Ariel Kaufman, Cynthia Jasper, Young-Mie Kim, Alfonso Morales
Community Partner: South Metropolitan Planning Council, Park Street Partners, South Madison Farmers’ Market, and Boys and Girls Club of Dane County