MyFUA

Journalism

CPJLCS235 Art, Fashion, Food, and Wine Journalism

3 semester credits. Journalism is presented in this course as a communicator of the arts and culture. Students will explore the diverse media outlets that have evolved around the coverage of the arts, fashion, food, and wine, as well as literature, music, dance, theater, and cinema. Coverage of individuals, movements, events, exhibitions, and happenings will be considered for critical reviewing, popular diffusion, and sociological and philosophical questioning. The course will also study strategies of how cultural and creative journalism is presented to the public from a visual and aesthetic point of view, drawing from examples found in printed and online media. Course projects and activities will interact with the journalism activities of Blending, the magazine and newsletter of AUF’s campus press Ingorda.

CPJLIC200 Instant Communication: Words, Images, News

3 semester credits. This is a communications-based course that combines writing and mobile devices to deliver web-ready news content created with the speed and quality required by news production today. The time between content gathering and message sharing has almost disappeared and making instantaneous publication has become essential for both social media and the news environment. Reporters must be able to capture information, shoot, edit, and disseminate multimedia content from a mobile phone or tablet. Students will learn both the technical (mobile camera, editing, and delivery) as well as theoretical aspects of journalism (responsibilities, visual communication, story structure, sources, outlets), and produce pieces for various news and story content outlets at FUA.

CPJLNN180 Introduction to Journalism

3 semester credits. This course teaches students the basic writing skills necessary for news reporting. Students will perform several in-class writing assignments based on news leads. Topics will progress from short news items to longer stories with more complex issues and topics. Students will learn to gather facts through skillful interviewing techniques, practiced during role-playing exercises in class. Other topics include how to write under pressure for a deadline, develop and verify sources, and structure news stories to capture and retain the attention of the reader. Some exercises such as interviewing and fact gathering will be carried out in the field. Course projects and activities will contribute with the journalism activities of Blending, the magazine of AUF’s campus press Ingorda.

CPJLOF285 The Force of Words: Oriana Fallaci on Writing and Journalism

3 semester credits. Oriana Fallaci, Florentine by birth, carved out a role of her own in the landscape of critical writing both in journalism and literature. Fiercely honest and free from all constraints, she constantly sought to recount the world we live in through her singular voice characterized by her crystal clear writing and her courage as a woman, writer, and journalist. Whether she went on assignment in war zones (as recounted in her coverage of the Vietnam War), interviewed controversial politicians and world leaders (Henry Kissinger, Indira Ghandi, and Deng Xiaoping to name a few), or reflected on culture and society in her novels, Fallaci ventured into territories where many colleagues would never have dared to step foot in and crafted her writing as a life-consuming mission rather than a job. This course equips students with the principles and practice of investigative writing and journalism through the life and work of Fallaci. Students will analyze the changing role of writing and journalism today and learn how to detect reliable sources and recognize compelling stories. Particular emphasis will be given to the art of interviewing for the creation of feature articles that inform and engage readers. The course also focuses on the challenge of journalism ethics and crafting original writing in a digital and global age dominated by social media. For a deeper understanding of Oriana Fallaci, coursework also includes site visits in Florentine locations associated to her childhood, adult life, and profession. Prerequisites: At least one college writing course or equivalent.

CPJLTW290 Travel Writing

3 semester credits. The basis of this course is the development of creative writing skills by focusing on the genre of travel writing. Students will read and discuss extracts from the great classics of travel writing as well as current travel journalism published in newspapers, magazines, and online. Assignments will focus on developing an individual voice, and honing ideas through revision and drafting. Topics will cover how to write for different audiences and publishing formats. Prerequisites: Foundational writing skills are required.

CPJLWM250 Writing for Digital Media

3 semester credits. This course looks at a variety of writing practices required of digital journalists and web writers, both in style and in subject matter. Students will gain experience writing diverse types of stories: investigative, news, feature, editorial, sports, entertainment, etc. They will learn how to write effectively for a targeted audience on a variety of digital platforms (such as websites including online versions of established media and wikis, blogs, applications and social media, multi-user communities and spaces, and smart device communication), document sources in a professional way, evaluate and critique their own publications, and about how online writing affects publication and interacts with social and civic participation. This course will also give students a further understanding of the principles, ethics, and practice of journalism in increasingly digitalized formats.  This class includes experiential learning with CEMI. Prerequisites: Foundational writing skills are not covered. Students are expected to apply a strong command of syntax, structure, and style according to the course topic.