This course is designed to provide an introduction to the theories and techniques of journalism, with an emphasis on fairness and accuracy of journalistic coverage of diverse, multi-ethnic communities, the role of journalism in democratic societies, news values and ethics, and reporting and writing techniques. All this is done with a special comparative focus on the situation of journalism in the country of study, in Europe as a whole and the U.S. Using specific examples from especially the first two geographical and political areas, students examine the influence of journalism on politics, business, and society. Being in a vibrant European capital, with dozens of
newspapers, magazines, and new media produced here, students experience the location and organizers of the most influential national press briefings as well as attend an editorial board meeting of one of the most popular daily newspapers. They will also pay particular attention to the role of foreign correspondents.
newspapers, magazines, and new media produced here, students experience the location and organizers of the most influential national press briefings as well as attend an editorial board meeting of one of the most popular daily newspapers. They will also pay particular attention to the role of foreign correspondents.
teacher profile teaching materials
• Have a basic understanding of the role of journalism in our modern societies and the challenges and changes it is currently undergoing (e.g. technological, societal and ethical developments)
• Have built and demonstrated a knowledge of differences between journalism in different countries all over the world (e.g. media system, institutions, content and journalists).
• Have compared the Italian journalism with that in the US and critically assessed the two approaches.
• Discussed the complex relationship between journalism and the development of a democratic society and displayed awareness of future challenges concerning (international) journalism.
• Be able to fulfill at least very basic journalistic tasks (such as writing a complete short news message and a pre-editing of a newspaper page or webpage microsite).
This course is taught in English.
A. Tucher, “Why Journalism History Matters: The Gaffe, the ‘Stuff,’ and the Historical Imagination”, in American
Journalism; Fall 2014, Vol. 31, pp. 432-444
S. Pasti, M. Chernysh and L. Svitich, “The Russian journalist and their profession”, in D. Weaver and L. Willnat (Eds.)
The global journalist in the 21st Century. New York: Routledge, 2012 Selections from: M. Conboy, Journalism. A Critical History,
Sage, 2014; I. Hargreaves, Journalism. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford UP, 2003
M. Bromley, “Subterfuge as public service: investigative journalism as idealized journalism,” in S. Allan (ed.), Journalism:
Critical Issues; Open University Press, 2005, pp. 313-329
I. Hargreaves, Journalism. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford UP, 2003
S. Allan (ed.), Journalism: Critical Issues; Open University Press, 2005
H. Sissons, Practical Journalism. How to write news, SAGE, 2006
Y.T. Mc Ewen and F.A. Fisken (eds.), War, Journalism and History. War Correspondents in the Two World Wars
Peter Lang, 2012; G. Mc Laughin, The War Correspondent, Pluto Press, 2002
P. Patterson and L. Wilkins, Media Ethics, Issues & Cases, McGraw-Hill, 2014; M. Conboy, Journalism. A Critical History, Sage, 2014
Selections from:
− H. Sissons, Practical Journalism. How to write news, SAGE, 2006
− S. Allan (ed.), Journalism: Critical Issues; Open University Press, 2005
− D. Hallin and P. Manchini, Comparing media systems: three models of media and politics. Cambridge UP, 2004
− C. Valentini and G. Nesti (eds.) Public Communications in the European Union. History, Perspectives and Challenges.
Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2010
Programme
By the end of the course students will:• Have a basic understanding of the role of journalism in our modern societies and the challenges and changes it is currently undergoing (e.g. technological, societal and ethical developments)
• Have built and demonstrated a knowledge of differences between journalism in different countries all over the world (e.g. media system, institutions, content and journalists).
• Have compared the Italian journalism with that in the US and critically assessed the two approaches.
• Discussed the complex relationship between journalism and the development of a democratic society and displayed awareness of future challenges concerning (international) journalism.
• Be able to fulfill at least very basic journalistic tasks (such as writing a complete short news message and a pre-editing of a newspaper page or webpage microsite).
This course is taught in English.
Core Documentation
Reading:A. Tucher, “Why Journalism History Matters: The Gaffe, the ‘Stuff,’ and the Historical Imagination”, in American
Journalism; Fall 2014, Vol. 31, pp. 432-444
S. Pasti, M. Chernysh and L. Svitich, “The Russian journalist and their profession”, in D. Weaver and L. Willnat (Eds.)
The global journalist in the 21st Century. New York: Routledge, 2012 Selections from: M. Conboy, Journalism. A Critical History,
Sage, 2014; I. Hargreaves, Journalism. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford UP, 2003
M. Bromley, “Subterfuge as public service: investigative journalism as idealized journalism,” in S. Allan (ed.), Journalism:
Critical Issues; Open University Press, 2005, pp. 313-329
I. Hargreaves, Journalism. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford UP, 2003
S. Allan (ed.), Journalism: Critical Issues; Open University Press, 2005
H. Sissons, Practical Journalism. How to write news, SAGE, 2006
Y.T. Mc Ewen and F.A. Fisken (eds.), War, Journalism and History. War Correspondents in the Two World Wars
Peter Lang, 2012; G. Mc Laughin, The War Correspondent, Pluto Press, 2002
P. Patterson and L. Wilkins, Media Ethics, Issues & Cases, McGraw-Hill, 2014; M. Conboy, Journalism. A Critical History, Sage, 2014
Selections from:
− H. Sissons, Practical Journalism. How to write news, SAGE, 2006
− S. Allan (ed.), Journalism: Critical Issues; Open University Press, 2005
− D. Hallin and P. Manchini, Comparing media systems: three models of media and politics. Cambridge UP, 2004
− C. Valentini and G. Nesti (eds.) Public Communications in the European Union. History, Perspectives and Challenges.
Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2010
Reference Bibliography
No additional reading provided.Type of delivery of the course
Lectures, field-studies, in class discussions and presentations. Course Requirements Weekly Blog Posts Students will be asked to write 4 blog posts to be published on the course blog. Each post will have a specific format (interview, news story, chronicle, and report). The professor will indicate topics and format and will provide extensive and precise guidelines. Group Presentation Students will form small groups and present on one journalism genre, e.g. investigative journalism or gonzo journalism, by discussing examples, characteristics, status within the field, etc.. Each member of the group must participate in preparing and delivering a portion of the presentation. Topics will be discussed and agreed with the professor during the second week of class. Final Exam Students will take a final exam at the end of the course. The exam (multiple choice test and short essays) will cover all topics discussed and analyzed in class. Rubrics will be used to assess each assignment.Attendance
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is mandatory for all classes, including field studies. If a student misses more than three classesin this course, two percentage points will be deducted from the final grade for every additional absence. Any exams, tests,presentations, or other work missed due to student absences can only be rescheduled in cases of documented medical emergenciesor family emergencies. The Faculty Committee will only consider extreme emergency cases and will strictly adhere to this policy.Type of evaluation
Students will take a final exam at the end of the course. The exam (multiple choice test and short essays) will cover all topics discussed and analyzed in class. Rubrics will be used to assess each assignment.