The Changing Landscape of Journalistic Writing: Exploring Constructive, Cultural and Literary Journalism - Detailseite

This seminar will introduce various forms of journalistic writing (e.g. press release, brief news report, opinion piece, blog, profile, feature). We will discuss cultural and literary journalism emerging from the New Journalism of the mid-twentieth century to today’s feature journalism as published, e.g., by The New York Times, The Washington Post and The New Yorker. We will then focus on Constructive Journalism to explore solution-oriented writing for a wider public.

Class time will be spent on discussing professional articles, developing and researching themes, drafting short writing samples, reviewing student drafts and engaging in peer critique to develop writing and editing skills. Students will lead discussions and actively engage in skill and C.V. building.

Students will contribute a piece of Constructive Journalism related to American Studies with a theme of their choice (cultural, environmental, social, etc.). A creative approach is encouraged.

Requirements

1. A piece of Constructive Journalism (ab. 1,500 words; blog, feature, interview): Each student will select a topic of their interest within the wider framework of their studies .
2. An informal presentation on work-in-progress (10 mins. plus discussion): Each student will lead an informal discussion on their choice of topic, status of their research and share at least one draft of their text for peer discussion.
3. Regular and active attendance.