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CULTURAL JOURNALISM - JRN260 Spring 2021
Course
Tony Ozuna
This course is an introduction to cultural journalism and reporting, by taking advantage of the rich cultural life of Prague. While there will be a focus on the contemporary art and music scenes, students will also be able to explore the literary and theatre scenes, as well as take advantage of the numerous festivals in the city, particularly for feature and documentary films. An understanding and appreciation of the role of cultural organizations and institutions will be emphasized, and so students will also be given the opportunity to meet with representatives of cultural organizations, as well as artists, musicians, directors, writers and publishers. Field trips to galleries, exhibits and other cultural events in Prague will be an integral component of the course. This activity will be combined with discussions of assigned readings from seminal to contemporary cultural critics and journalists.The primary medium for publishing the best work in this class will be the AAU student newspaper At the Lennon Wall; however, students may also have the opportunity to publish in other online or print publications based in Prague, and beyond. This course, however, is also welcome to students who simply want to learn about the world of cultural journalism.
Here is the course outline:
1. What is Cultural Journalism?
Feb 10
Who is good at it? Cultural journalists vs. entertainment news. Site Visit: Virtual Tour TBA (National Gallery of Prague—Mikulas Medek) or other....students should also watch a few documentary films about Prague’s cultural history and its uniqueness |
2. Historical exhibition
Feb 17
Topic: Crash course in journalistic writing vs. academic essays Review of the inverted pyramid and the 5 W’s for journalists Site Visit: Virtual Tour (iMucha) Reading (on NEO resources): Power-point handout (by CP Bowen) |
3. The Czech Avant Garde
Feb 24
Topic: The Czech Avant Garde Devetsil (avant garde Czech movement in the interwar era) Site Visit: Virtual tour of Devetsil exhibit at House of the Stone Bell |
4. Contemporary art scene
Mar 03
Topic: Explore the local scene— Contemporary Art Description: Czech and international art scene in local exhibitions Site visit: “Compassion Fatigue is Over” Galerie Rudolfinum |
5. Contemporary art scene pt. 2
Mar 10
Topic: Explore the local scene— Contemporary Art part II Description: Czech art scene in local exhibitions Site visit: “Vanitas” Dox Centre for Contemporary Art |
6. Czech folk culture
Mar 17
Topic: Explore the local scene—Walks through history Description: Exhibitions of Czech folk culture Site visit: Ethnographic Museum |
7. Music Journalism
Mar 24
Site visits: Czech Music Museum for the exhibit "Animals' Music" |
8. Music Journalism pt. 2
Mar 31
Guest music artist or contemporary sound & visual artist Site Visit: TBA |
9. Mid-Term break
Apr 07
Topic: There is no meeting on this date due to a Midterm Break |
10. Mysterious Prague
Apr 14
Topic: Strange Collections (natural science meets art) Description: Exploring the hidden gems of Prague Site Visit: “The Mysterious Cabinet of Professor Benes” at the Museum Montanelli |
11. Film Reviews - film critics & films in historical contexts
Apr 21
Topic: Film Review-Film reviews in historical contexts Description: Czech film history/appreciation Site visit: NaFilm, exhibition dedicated to Czech & international film history |
12. Literary, Music & Film reviewers-Meet the Masters
Apr 28
Topic: Literary and Film Reviews-Critics & reviews Description: Students should watch several films in advance for this session. Films TBA. |
13. Week 13-Film Festivals
May 05
Topic: International Film Festivals in Prague Description: The Febio Festival (the 28th Annual Festival hopefully returns) Site Visit: Cinema Andel |
14. Summarizing Prague's Cultural Scene
May 12
Topic: Summarizing Prague’s Cultural Scene Description: Final excursion, visiting sites for the final article/assignment |
15. Wrap-up.
May 19
Last group meeting, and time for last minute consultations. |