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International Journalism: 21st-Century Conflicts

Vak
2012-2013

Tag(s)

J, PA, GC, WP

Admission Requirements

Essentials of Journalism and/or Literature of War Journalism. Students that do not meet this prerequisite should contact the instructor regarding the required competencies before course allocation.

Description

This reading-intensive course will study the main conflicts that have occurred in the first decade of the 21st century. The course will concentrate on 9/11 and the wars in its aftermath – the “war on terror” and the American-led conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The various conflicts that have beset Africa and the uprisings that have taken place in the Arab world will also be studied.

Course Objectives

  • To give a clear insight into the conflicts that have occurred in the first decade of the 21st century

  • To give an understanding of what war journalism today entails and what it can achieve – both positive and negative

  • To give an understanding of the different techniques of reporting, interviewing and writing and of disseminating news in the internet era

Mode of Instruction

There will be weekly lectures on a particular conflict and in the other class student-led discussions about one of the wars covered in the course. Students will be expected to read at least one book every week and write a short, 600-800 word essay every week.

Assessment

Assessment: In-class participation
Percentage: 20%
Deadline: Ongoing Weeks 1 – 7

Assessment: Weekly essays (600-800 words)
Percentage: 10% each
Deadline: Weeks 2 – 7

Assessment: Final research essay (1000 words)
Percentage: 20%
Deadline: Week 8

Literature

Disordered World – Amin Maalouf
Zinky Boys – Svetlana Alexievich
War – Sebastian Junger
The Good Soldiers – David Finkel
A Long Way Gone – Ishmael Beah
War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning – Chris Hedges

Contact Information

avlynden@yahoo.co.uk

Weekly Overview

  1. 9/11
  2. Afghanistan
  3. Afghanistan
  4. Iraq
  5. Africa
  6. Arab Uprisings
  7. War in the 21st Century

Preparation for first session

Any reading on 9/11 and the “war on terror”