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CULTURAL JOURNALISM - JRN260 Spring 2024
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 2
Who is good at it? Cultural journalists vs. entertainment news. Site Visit: Czech Press Photo or "Walachia, my homeland" at Leica Gallery. As homework, students should also watch a few documentary films about Prague’s cultural history and its uniqueness |
2. Czech Press Photo
Feb 9
Topic: Czech Press Photo then Crash course in journalistic writing vs. academic essays Review of the inverted pyramid and the 5 W’s for journalists Site Visit: Petr Brandl "Story of a Bohemian" at Wallenstein Riding School (National Gallery of Prague). Reading (on NEO resources): Power-point handout (by CP Bowen) |
3. Mysterious Prague
Feb 16
Topic: Mysterious Prague & Surrealism Site Visit: Jan Svankmajer at Gallery 1 |
4. International art scene
Feb 23
Topic: International art scene Description: READ - Elmgreen & Dragset Site visit: Kunsthalle Prague |
5. Kafkaesque
Mar 1
Topic: International art exhibition on Franz Kafka Site visit: Dox Center for Contemporary Art |
6. Brenda Flanagan & Eva Svankmajerova
Mar 8
Topic: Brenda Flanagan presents her new book Description: focused on the Czech artist Eva Svankmajerova Site visit: none |
7. The Open Road exhibit & One World Documentary Film Festival
Mar 15
session on One World International Film Festival & then visit to The Open Road |
8. Czech music-On Tour
Mar 22
Music Journalism Part 1 Site Visit: Czech Museum of Music - On Tour |
9. Mid-Term break
Mar 29
Topic: There is no meeting on this date due to our Midterm Break |
10. Music Journalism continued
Apr 5
Topic: continuation of music resources Description: The music world of Czech Republic & American expats in Prague Site Visit: Czech music museum |
11. Helen Oyeyemi-in conversation
Apr 12
Topic: Disussion with Helen Oyeyemi (British novelist) & Seth Rogoff Description: Reading & Discussion TBA Site visit: none |
12. Film History Museum in Prague
Apr 19, campus and site visit
Na Film - visit to student-run Czech film history museum |
13. Week 13-Film Reviews
Apr 26
Topic: Film Reviews The classics to contemporary |
14. Summarizing Prague's Cultural Scene
May 3
Topic: Summarizing Prague’s Cultural Scene Description: Final excursion, visiting sites for the final article/assignment |
15. Wrap-up.
May 10
Last group meeting, and time for last minute consultations. |