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Journalism · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Journalism in a Global Context

Journalism does not stop at the border. This course examines the challenges of reporting on international affairs. Students will study the risks of “Parachute Journalism,” the role of the foreign correspondent/fixer relationship, and the impact of cultural imperialism. The curriculum compares media systems (Authoritarian vs. Libertarian) and covers the safety protocols for reporting in conflict zones.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Compare global media systems (Four Theories of the Press)
  2. Analyze the "Foreign Correspondent" role and the reliance on local "Fixers"
  3. Critique "Parachute Journalism" and Western-centric narratives
  4. Understand the safety protocols for Hostile Environment Reporting (HEFAT basics)
  5. Evaluate the role of media in diplomacy and global conflict
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01Global Media Systems: Authoritarian to Social Responsibility
  2. 02The Myth of Objectivity in Global News
  3. 03Colonialism & Media: The Global North/South Divide
  4. 04International News Agencies (Reuters, AFP, AP)
  5. 05Parachute Journalism vs. Bureau Reporting
  6. 06Cultural Sensitivity & Translation Issues
  7. 07Press Freedom Index & Reporters Without Borders
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09War Reporting: Ethics & Safety
  10. 10The Fixer: The Unsung Hero
  11. 11Censorship & Firewall: The China Model
  12. 12Al Jazeera & The Rise of Non-Western Media
  13. 13Reporting on Climate Change Globally
  14. 14Digital Transnationalism: Citizen Networks
  15. 15Protecting Sources in Surveillance States
  16. 16Final Project: The International Crisis Report

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The International Crisis Report

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. The Global Journalist in the 21st Century by David H. Weaver
  2. Reporting War and Conflict by Janet Harris
  3. Fixer: The Last Romanov (Contextual Memoir) by Douglas Smith
  4. Losing the News by Alex S. Jones
  5. Comparing Media Systems by Daniel C. Hallin and Paolo Mancini
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