New Orleans Center for the Gulf South Home » Undergraduate Experience » Fredman and Gulf South Studies Courses
In 2011, a generous gift from Andrew (A&S ’84) and Kerin Fredmanto the New Orleans Center for the Gulf South (NOCGS) launched the Fredman Gulf South Studies Courses. All these courses are based on three essential components: place-based storytelling, service-learning, and economic impact.
Since the program’s inception, seven stellar Fredman Gulf South Studieshave been developed, producing scores of short films, oral histories, and online articles.This past year,three courses were offered in collaboration with the School of Liberal Arts’ Communication and English departments, the Stone Center for Latin American Studies and Center for Public Service at Tulane, as well as four community partner organizations.
The Fredman Gulf South Studies Courses have affected many lives—inspiring former students’ career choices and developing an understanding of local policy and economic opportunity. Next year, an exciting new course will focus on water management, further adding to our students’ understanding of the region and their ability to affect positive social change.
In Professor Betsy Weiss’s “Media and Criminal Justice,” students conducted interviews and created videos for two prominent anti-incarceration grassroots organizations, Voices of the Experienced (VOTE) and Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children (FFLIC). Distinguished journalists and investigative reporters visited the classand inspired students to pursuecareers in journalism.
Students in Professor Sarah Fouts’ course, “Food, Migration, and Culture,”delved into the intersection of New Orleans’ long standing restaurant industry and growing Latinx community. They conducted field work with local Latinx restaurateurs and restaurant workersto create a newshowcase exhibit of Latin Foodways in New Orleans, “New Orleans con Sabor Latino,” now on permanent exhibit at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum.
The longest running Fredman course, Professor Michael Luke’s “Journalism,” produced the 7th edition of the journal Krewe in partnership with Sophie Teitelbaum’s 9th grade English students at New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School. Already known for its original stories, this year’s edition of Krewe also showcased the participants’ artistic skills as they designed the layout and hand sewed and bound the journals.
COMM 2350-01
Media and Criminal Justice, Prof. Betsy Weiss
M/W 3:00pm-4:15pm
Newcomb Hall 208
ENLS 3620-01
Workshop Creative Writing, Prof. Michael Luke
W 5:00pm-7:30pm
Richardson Building 104
MCGS 4950-01
Music and Money in the Gulf South, Prof. Alison Fensterstock
T/R 2:00pm-3:30pm
Newcomb Hall 413
COMM 2350-01
Media and Criminal Justice, Prof. Betsy Weiss
M/W 3:00-4:15pm
Newcomb Hall 201
ENLS 3620-01
Workshop Creative Writing, Prof. Michael Luke
W 5:00pm-7:30pm