.png?lmsauth=aeb003561ff92466c0363039bcfbf9b70d9841ad){kind=logo}
CULTURAL JOURNALISM - JRN260 Fall 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?
Sep 4
Who is good at it? Cultural journalists vs. entertainment news. Site Visit: Leica Gallery or "The Goose in Kampa" Czech art collection at Kampa Museum. As homework, students should also watch a few documentary films about Prague’s cultural history and its uniqueness |
2. Mysterious Prague
Sep 11
Topic: Mysterious Prague (discussion) then Crash course in journalistic writing vs. academic essays Review of the inverted pyramid and the 5 W’s for journalists Site Visit: TBA Reading (on NEO resources): Power-point handout (by CP Bowen) |
3. KAFKAesque
Sep 18
Topic: KAFKAesque at DOX Centre for Contemporary Art Site Visit: DOX Centre for Contemporary Art |
4. Contemporary Photography
Sep 25
Topic: Photography Description: Bruce Weber Site visit: House of the Stone Bell |
5. Press Play Prague
Oct 2
Topic: Press Play Prague - Journalism & Film Festival Site visit: there is no visit on this date. Guest is Rachel Danna - organizer of Press Play Prague film festival |
6. On Tour-Czech Music Museum - moved to another date
Oct 9
Topic: Prague Press Play Pt. 2 Description: On Tour exhibition Site visit: Kino Atlas for film screening |
7. Lucia Moholy-Exposures
Oct 16
Lucia Moholy-Exposures at Kunsthalle Prague |
8. Music Journalism
Oct 23
Music Journalism continued Site Visit: TBA |
9. Mid-Term break
Oct 30
Topic: There is no meeting on this date due to our Midterm Break |
10. Olympic Half-Time - Documentary Film Screening
Nov 6
Topic: contemporary documentary film - Olympic Half-time Description: meet the director Haruna Hooncoop and view the film Site Visit: on-site |
11. Libuse Jarcovjakova-Photos
Oct 23
Topic: Libuse Jarcovjakova Description: Contemporary Czech photographer Site visit: National Gallery |
12. Film History Museum in Prague
Nov 13
Na Film - visit to student-run Czech film history museum |
13. Week 13-Film Reviews
Nov 20
Topic: Film Reviews The classics to contemporary |
14. Summarizing Prague's Cultural Scene
Nov 27
Topic: Summarizing Prague’s Cultural Scene Description: Final excursion, visiting sites for the final article/assignment |
15. Wrap-up.
Dec 4
Last group meeting, and second-half of the final exam session with site visits. |