My Everyday Civility

    The theme for this year's Free Range Video Contest is "My Everyday Civility". Civility plays into almost every interaction we have daily. On March 26, 2010, UT Chancellor Jimmy Cheek wrote, "One of my top priorities as chancellor is to increase diversity on our campus, and one of the best ways to do that is to create and maintain a welcoming campus climate for all. I challenge you as faculty, staff, students and administrators to work with me to make sure we are welcoming to all and hostile to none."
    In this contest we urge you to explore what civility means to you. What you share can range from small, personal examples of civility; civility on campus; civility as a member of society; or even civility on larger, international, or political scales. You may create your video with footage you shoot or compose your message using video examples from elsewhere being sure to include appropriate references as needed.
    You are welcome to submit projects created for a class assignment or create something new for the contest. You are allowed to work in groups. We welcome variety and look forward to exploring what aspects of civility interest you. Your video project can be created in any genre that you wish. Each video should be under 5 minutes long.     To help you get started, these are just a few examples of subjects you could explore in your video:

• Create a documentary about the experience of interacting with cultures that have different ideas of polite behavior.
• Write a skit about what happens when civility breaks down in a classroom setting.
• Explore civility or the lack of civility in national politics.
• Document how civility is taught in schools.
• Share a personal experience either positive or negative where civility came into play.
• Remix footage from school movies, documentaries, news and other sources to make a statement about civility.

   Remember, no topic is too small to explore. If you have questions about the contest or about the theme, please feel free to contact members of the Free Range Committee in The Studio – studio@utk.edu or 974-6396.    Timeline:

• February – Registration opens
• Mon, Feb 21, 5:00 PM – Free Range open meeting for participants – this is an open meeting to answer any questions you might have and to share information about resources available to you in the library to help you complete your project – Hodges Library room 253
• Wed, Mar 30, midnight – Submissions due – registration is officially closed
• Tues, Apr 12, 7:00 PM – Screening and Awards – Hodges Library Auditorium – reception to follow