This Department of Journalism provides the tools of investigative writing and reporting in a variety of fields, from global journalism to local topics such as travel writing and culture journalism. Diverse genres and industry-specific approaches to journalistic writing are offered, as well as multimedia forms of communicating news.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3 semester credits. This course examines the context in which the Italian fashion system was born. Topics begin from the evolution of fashion from the post-WWII period to the present and address the role and influence of media and culture on factors such as economic and social status, the arts, and other issues that influenced fashion. Students explore fashion's connection to identity, body, politics, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, class, and how fashion and media are interrelated with these aspects of culture. Course projects and activities will contribute with the journalism activities of Blending, the magazine of AUF’s campus press Ingorda.
3 semester credits. This special project course is offered to highly motivated students who want to enter and practice firsthand the world of magazine editing and proofreading. The student will be in charge, under the supervision of professionals, develop feature writing through the steps of checking for accuracy and suitability, digital and traditional printing, and design. Knowledge and experience in magazine and newspaper production is always extremely helpful for higher editorial positions. EL hours may be distributed from Monday through Friday. The placement may require weekend hours or ongoing research-based and editorial production activities for remote placements. This special project course features experiential learning hours with our Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI). CEMI are dynamic learning environments created to foster learning through a structured interaction with the community. Remote option students will gain international community exposure through a virtual setting. Students will be involved in learning by doing through real projects and integration with the local population and territory in order to remove cultural and learning barriers as well as to develop a strong likelihood for success in life. The experiential learning hours are fully supervised by instructors who track students step by step during their learning experience, monitor and advise according to student needs, and support student initiative. This unique learning model allows students to benefit from an all-encompassing educational experience based on theory and practice in real enterprises, learning of comprehensive operational processes, problem-solving, leadership, and management. Main tasks: Editorial research, editorial development, content review and revision, final portfolio. Additional materials/Dress code: Business casual attire for dress code. Not applicable to remote option. Prerequisites: Cover letter, CV, and material pertinent to the chosen area, interview.
3 semester credits. During this two-pronged course, students will focus on: 1) the history and study of photojournalism from its genesis/inception to today and 2) assignments/projects that are journalistic newsworthy (events, human interest, artistic/cultural, sports, feature, and portrait). Students will emulate what it is like to be a newspaper photographer and learn storytelling images of the everyday events that occur in life.Through lectures and discussions students will also address contemporary issues such as: the cultural, social, and political influence of images and photojournalism in society as well as ethics and legal issues in photojournalism. Course projects and activities will contribute with the journalism activities of Blending, the magazine of AUF’s campus press Ingorda. The print lab will provide students with the tools for elaborating and printing their own images This course is recommended for Communications, Journalism, and Social Sciences students. This class includes experiential learning with CEMI. Prerequisites: This is an intermediate course. Knowledge of camera functions is required. Portfolio submission recommended.