opportunities and challenges for journalism

ECTS : 6

Description du contenu de l'enseignement :

Overview
Theoretical and practical approach to the profession of journalism. History and present challenges of press with special focus on France and Europe. Exercises to acquire knowledge about journalistic work in different media (TV, web, print, radio).  Development of abilities in writing, reading, and expression referred to journalism: practical exercises, discussions, vocabulary lists, interviews, development of a carrier in press.

Course Schedule (12 weeks)

1.  Introduction to journalism in general (specificities of french media, history of french press and journalism school system). What is a media - and are "the media"  something different?
2.  Different genres and important players in the international and European media world. Discover, identify and differentiate current genres and styles in the media (print, web, radio and audiovisual) through examples from international news.
3.  Crisis and chances. Are print media and radio declining? What social media changed in daily work for journalists. What are the chances of changing conditions for journalists? 
4.  Requirements for successful research and the basics for daily journalistic work. How to prepare an interview and structure informations. Make mind maps for several subjects; find the required information; Broad or precise questions - the best approach to the interviewee. Working on an interview about a concrete subject and exhaust it according to your needs.
5.  Print press and its specifies: writing articles: Faults to avoid; practical advice along different stlye exercises.  shorten and expand a text.Use imagination: quotes, word games, humor etc.
6.  Focus on audiovisual media. Which competences to acquire, which differences, how to prepare a successful carrier in audiovisual media, technical requirements.
7.  Focus on web journalism. How to work in an online redaction/ How to design the cooperation with print, how do they work together, what can they learn from each other?
8.  How to become a correspondent abroad (part I)? The challenges of daily work on the spot, the research of the subjects and the presentation for the public in his country of origin (between clichés and unknown facts.)
9.  How to become a correspondent abroad (part II)? How to create a useful network abroad. How to stay in touch with origin country. Specifies of work as f. ex. war reporter, photojournalist.
10.  How to apply for an internship, a job offer and how to propose a contribution to a media. Developing a well working curriculum vitae for journalists.
11. Freelance journalism versus traditional redactions. Advantages and inconveniences. Self marketing in social networks and conditions to create a cooperate identity as freelancer. Create a network, stay in touch develop an address book.
12. Evaluation of results - open session to deepen favorite session.