This is a draft version of the final syllabus, which will be available on the first day of class or shortly before.
JOUR-UA
Elective Reporting Topics: Writing News Analysis
Prof. Mohamad Bazzi
Office Phone: 212-998-3613
Office: 20 Cooper Square, Room 644
COURSE DESCRIPTION/OBJECTIVES
This course examines the news analysis form. We will look at how research and reporting can be presented with some authority to write short-form analytical articles based on significant news events: op-eds, news analysis, explanatory and historical context pieces. This is not a class in opinion writing or polemics. You will learn to write clearly and concisely, and to produce analytical stories on deadline. You will aspire to bring the context and depth of an area specialist, and turn that knowledge into convincing argument and memorable writing. These are skills you will need to master no matter what medium you work in—newspapers, websites, magazines, TV or radio—and whether you aspire to report on local, national or international topics. You will write a range of pieces, from 800-word op-eds to explanatory or context essays of roughly1,500 words. While you can write on local and national subjects, we will focus heavily on international affairs.
REQUIRED TEXTS/READING
* Weekly Readings on NYU CLASSES.
* A non-fiction book for your book review.
* Another Day of Life. By Ryszard Kapuscinski.
* You will also be asked to select readings (examples of op-eds, news analysis, book reviews, etc) to share with the class, and to do a brief presentation on these readings.
ASSIGNMENTS
There are three major writing assignments—and you will do at least one rewrite of each assignment. (You may choose a region or theme on which to focus your writingthroughout the semester.)
-- Op-ed Article: 700 to 800 words
-- News Analysis (reported): 1200 words
-- Book Review/Essay: 1500 words
We will also have some in-class writing assignments.
ATTENDANCE
This class meets only once a week. Students who miss two or more classes without a valid excuse will face a reduction in their final grade. (An acceptable excuse for missing a class is severe illness or a death in the family or a religious observance.)Please note: Since this is a seminar course that is heavily based on our discussion and analysis of the readings, please refrain from using your laptops and phones during our discussions.
DEADLINES
All assignments for this class must be turned in on time. Late assignments will be subject to grade reductions, for each day that they are late.I reserve the right not to accept late assignments. Any missed assignment will receive an F.
GRADES
Your final grade will be based on your assignments—both inside and outside class—and your participation in class discussions and activities. If you show progress and strong effort during the course of the semester, I will consider that in your final grade.
Your grade will be calculated using this formula:
Writing assignments: 60 percent
Final article: 20 percent
Class participation (including presentations/workshopping): 20 percent
Grades on writing assignments will conform to the journalism department’s policy:
A = publishable as is or with minor changes
B = publishable with light editing
C = publishable after a substantial rewrite
D = major problems with facts, reporting, writing
F = missing key facts and/or containing plagiarism, libel or substantial spelling and grammar errors
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism, fabricating quotes, or inventing sources will not be tolerated. Anyone caught doing so will fail the course and the department chair will be notified.For more information, see the NYU Journalism Handbook for Students:
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
A NOTE ABOUT THE SCHEDULE: Journalism is fluid and subject to changes. This schedule is tentative and could change depending on coverage that we undertake, logistics, and the availability of guest speakers.
WEEK 1:
Topic: Introduction to news analysis.
In-Class Assignment: Write a 500 to 600 word intellectual autobiography explaining,in broad terms, why you chose to study journalism. More specifically, why are you interested in international reporting, and analytical/opinion writing?What makes this kind of reporting/writing different? How do you get your international news? What kind of analyticalcoverage do you seek out, and what are your most reliable sources? How do you balance the news and analytical coveragethat you seek out?
WEEK 2:
Topic: Op-Ed Writing
WEEK 3:
Topic:Op-Ed Writing
WEEK 4:
Topic:Op-Ed Writing + In-class workshopping
Assignment due: Op-ed Article (700 to 800 words)
WEEK 5:
Topic:News Analysis
WEEK 6:
Topic: News Analysis
Assignment due:Revised Op-ed Article
WEEK 7:
Topic:Historical context/analysis
WEEK 8:
Topic: Book reviews
Assignment due: News Analysis draft (1000 words)
WEEK 9:
Topic: Book reviews
WEEK 10:
Topic: Historical context/analysis
Assignment due: Revised News Analysis (1200 words)
WEEK 11:
Topic: Historical context/analysis
WEEK 12:
Topic: Covering conflict
Assignment due: 1st draft of book review/essay.
WEEK 13:
Topic: Narrative writing – the lessons for analysis
Reading & discussion:Another Day of Life (by Ryszard Kapuscinski).
WEEK 14: [FINAL CLASS]
Topic: Review/discussion of final article + semester
Assignment due: Final version of book review/essay.