Assistant Professor Diane Guerrazzi and seven students on SJSU's first faculty-led trip to a region of the world capturing headlines and captivating Americans (Desert Safari photo).
By Pat Lopes Harris, Media Relations Director
“From the USA to the UAE,” a documentary produced by an SJSU School of Journalism and Mass Communications professor and seven students, received top honors in the “Educator” category at the CreaTiVE Awards held Jan. 7 at the California Theatre. The SJSU team visited the United Arab Emirates one year ago “keeping our sights set on cultural perception as perpetuated by the media,” Assistant Professor Diane Guerrazzi said. The group toured three emirates, interviewing cultural experts and media expats, as well as students, workers and shopkeepers. While their goal was to collect material capturing cultural differences and laws governing media content, “this is more than a study of media differences; this is an examination of a cultural divide, perceptions and misperceptions,” Guerrazzi said. The CreaTiVE Awards honors community media makers throughout the Bay Area who promote and celebrate individual expression, learning, diversity, arts and civic engagement. View “From the USA to the UAE.” Read the blog.