Admission requirements
Not applicable
Description
In a world where information is abundant and national and foreign events are increasingly interlinked, global journalism shapes – and is shaped by – political, social, economic, and cultural processes. This course examines the global journalism landscape and media eco-system and the ever-evolving technologies used in journalism today.
This course will help students develop the knowledge necessary to understand and analyse global journalism. Students will get acquainted with all the actors working in the journalistic production chain. From foreign correspondents, fixers, and news agencies to social media platforms, big data, and the gig economy's impact on global journalism, this course sheds light on real-world examples to provide students with a comprehensive picture of the field. The course aims to relate theory on global journalism to its everyday practice. Moreover, students will practice basic skills through hands-on assignments, such as asking well-prepared questions, doing a group presentation, as well as conducting and writing an interview individually.
During the first part of each class, we will discuss the readings and examples of that week in an interactive format. Students are expected to do the readings and come prepared with some discussion points. These could be aspects of the texts that they found exciting or problematic, or practical examples that we could use as case studies. After a short break, the remaining half of the class is devoted to students’ case study presentations. Students will prepare these presentations with a group of 4 to 5 classmates. Groups will have approximately 15 minutes to do their presentations, followed by a discussion with the audience and/or in the format of a Q&A (10 minutes maximum). Students are expected to prepare questions about their case study to stimulate in-class discussion.
The groups will be assigned at the end of the first class, together with possible case studies and the presentation dates. For each case study presentation, students must provide specific real-life examples from their case, backed up with relevant literature. However, the manner of presenting these is a group decision. For example, students may opt to provide handouts, show a PowerPoint presentation, or videos.
Course objectives
After taking this course, students will be able to:
Explain the inner workings of the eco-system that exists in today’s global journalism.
Investigate how the different media players operate in the global journalism landscape.
Identify what the interests are of different players in the global media eco-system.
Explore the role(s) of digital media in journalistic production in international/global stories.
Organise both international collaboration on a production as well as work individually on one.
Timetable
The timetables are available through MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Lecture
Assessment method
Assessment
Group presentations in class: 35%
These presentations are designed to allow students to connect course materials to the practice of global journalism and learn from peers' different perspectives. For the group presentations, occurring in Weeks 2-6, students must finds a case study pertinent to that week’s topic which stimulates and enhances the conversation with classmates. Should students struggle to find an interesting case, the teacher can assist you in thinking of one. Should that be the case, do not hesitate to reach out as soon as possible.Interviews: 45%
Due by Week 5, students must hand in an interview with an actor directly or indirectly involved in the global journalism landscape. Directly involved are, for instance, a foreign correspondent of the individual student’s choice, a fixer, or someone who works in a news agency at the international desk. More indirectly involved are a journalism or media studies scholar, someone who works at an NGO concerned with the protection of journalists, a professional operating in a consortium for global journalists, or someone who is active at other organisations in the global journalism eco-system. The interview should either focus on (1) the professional/personal background of the interviewee and the challenges of working in global journalism, or (2) certain trends within global journalism and what is most relevant for the interviewee as a professional. With this interview, students should aim to present the reality of global journalism to a specific audience of their choice, so they should think about the topic's context, background, and relevance. The interview must be no less than 1,500 words and no more than 1,750 words.In-class participation (20%)
Throughout the course the student’s active in-class participation is rewarded. Points can be gained, amongst others, by being present, by contributing constructively to discussions, and by formulating relevant questions to the matter at hand.
Weighing
Group presentations in class: 35%
Interviews: 45%
In-class participation: 20%
Resit
The resit consists of the same assignments as the first assessment opportunity.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Required readings before the start of the course:
Hargreaves, I. (2014). Journalism: a very short introduction, 2nd edition. OUP Oxford.
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). (2019). Global Charter of Ethics for Journalists.
Required readings per week: TBA.
Course themes:
Week 1 – Introduction to Global Journalism
Week 2 – Global journalism landscape
Week 3 – Investigative journalism and collaborating cultures
Week 4 – Guest lecture
Week 5 – Conflict reporting and exile journalism (+ deadline interview)
Week 6 – Gig economy in global journalism
Other resources:
1. International Journalists’ Network
2. International Center for Journalists
3. International Federation of Journalists
4. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Oxford University
5. Nieman Journalism Lab, Harvard University
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Arsenaal.
Remarks
not applicable