TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Dateline Alabama, the young adult Web magazine of The University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences, wants readers to listen up – literally.

The nation’s top-ranked independent student Web site is giving away a new Apple iPod as part of a “Best College Experience” creative non-fiction writing contest that began Homecoming weekend and runs through Thanksgiving. All UA undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for the contest; entries will be judged by Dateline Alabama editorial staff.

Contest entries must describe in 500 to 1,000 words the student’s best college experience at UA – football games, parties, classroom discussions – nothing is taboo except bad writing. All contest finalists will be asked to verify their story’s authenticity through sources or other information.

“What better way to get students to document their favorite college experience than with the potential for a free iPod,” said Patrick Beeson, Dateline Alabama editor and second-year journalism graduate student. “This contest represents the two hottest items out there – digital music players and online journalism.”

The “Best College Experience” contest entries will be narrowed to five finalists that will be published on the site. Only one iPod will be awarded to the best writing submission. Entries will be judged on creativity, story development, entertainment value and readability.

The contest’s prize is a 2004 Apple iPod 20-gig model with the new “click-wheel” technology. The iPod retails for $299.99 on Apple’s Web site and includes the signature white earphones, Firewire and USB 2.0 connector wires, AC adaptor and installation software. It is compatible with both Mac and PC.

Contest entries should be e-mailed to Beeson at patrickbeeson@gmail.com. Entries should be in Microsoft Word (.doc) format and include the contestant’s name, e-mail address, phone number and student ID number. There is a limit of one entry per contestant.

A new Dateline Alabama site was launched in September (link to http://uanews.ua.edu/anews2004/oct04/dateline100404.htm) in a partnership with The Tuscaloosa News. The collaboration presents a unique opportunity for faculty and students to explore media convergence, community journalism and the business of news in partnership with a commercial news operation.

The site won the 2003 Society of Professional Journalists National Mark of Excellence award for best all-around independent online student publication and best online opinion/commentary. It has garnered more than 30 regional SPJ Mark of Excellence awards since its inception in February 2000.

Dateline Alabama is updated every Friday with stories covering a variety of topics on campus and throughout West Alabama in an edgy and engaging style.

To learn more about the contest, visit www.datelinealabama.com.