Journalism Abroad, Spring 2006

This spring the NYU Journalism Department is offering an exciting new program in the capital of the Czech Republic, Journalism in Prague, and expanded opportunities in London, UK and Accra, Ghana.

It's not too late to apply, but do hurry, as these programs are filling up fast. You can check out the programs and learn how to apply at: http://www.nyu.edu/studyabroad/undergraduate/. The Journalism Department strongly encourages our students to study abroad--and you now have more choices than NYU journalism majors have ever had before. Read on for more information, and note: all the course described below fulfill requirements for the journalism major. (Even better: we can sometimes be flexible about prerequisites abroad!)

Journalism in Prague

Prague is a gorgeous city: as it says on the NYU in Prague website, it "stands at the crossroads of Europe, where East meets West and the past meets the present -- a city of present-day political excitement and historical imagery." Prague is a wonderful city for journalists for many reasons: it's centrally located, making travel to other countries unusually easy; almost everyone seems to speak English; it has a long and vibrant cultural history; it's politically exciting (the NYU Center is not far from Wenceslas Square, the site of Prague's Velvet Revolution); it's a thrilling mix of centuries-old buildings and sophisticated international culture.

This spring we'll be offering the most extensive menu of journalism classes we've ever offered at any campus abroad. They include:

V54.9014 - Foreign Media: Post-Communist Media Systems in the Czech Republic, seminar, 4 points. Taught by Prof. Milan Smid, professor of journalism, Charles University; drafter of the Czech Broadcasting Law. (This one is a Steinhardt Communications class, but journalism majors can take it as a seminar.)

V54.9171 - Radio News, skills, 4 points. Taught by Prof. Rob Cameron, BBC correspondent based in Prague.

V54.9281 - Critical Writing: Reporting the Arts, skills, 4 points. Taught by Prof. Jan Smid, head of foreign news at the Czech Radio's Radiozurnal; formerly permanent correspondent for Czech Radio in the United States and France; former editor-in-chief of the weekly newspaper Nedelni Noviny; author of several books.

V54.9282 - Travel Writing, skills, 4 points. Taught by Prof. Veronika Bednarova, international reporter and travel writer for the weekly magazine Reflex; former head of Fine Ride, a daily live cultural magazine show on Czech Television focusing on women; freelance journalist for numerous publications.

V54.9283 - International Reporting, skills, 4 points. Taught by Prof. Robert Anderson, correspondent for the Czech and Slovak Republics, Financial Times; freelance journalist for numerous publications.

V54.9298 - Media and Society, seminar, 4 points. Taught by Prof. Jan Jirak, Dean, Department of Mass Communication and Media, Charles University.

Please apply soon if you're interested in joining us in Prague this spring!

Journalism in London

Our summer NYU Journalism in London program--now going into its fourth year--has been so successful that we've expanded it into a year-round special journalism program within the broader and older NYU in London program. The NYU in London Center--where all classes are held--is in elegant Bedford Square, just a block from the British Museum.

This spring we'll be offering two journalism classes:

V54.9281 - Critical Writing: Reporting the Arts, skills, 4 points. Taught by Prof. Matt Wolf, theatre critic for Variety based in London and arts correspondent for the Associated Press. Students attend numerous performances (theatre, music, dance) of their own choice.

V54.9298 - Media & Society, seminar, 4 points. Taught by Prof. Howard Goller, senior international editor at Reuters.

Journalism in Ghana

In Accra, Ghana, we offer one reporting class within the wider NYU in Ghana program--but it's a very exciting and highly recommended class. Co-taught by a Ghanaian journalism professor, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo of the University of Ghana/Legon, and an NYU faculty member, Prof. Marcia Rock, the course will team NYU students with local Ghanaian journalism students on major reporting projects.

NYU has beautiful facilities in Accra, including a very comfortable air-conditioned dorm (with nicer bathrooms than I have at home).

The class is: V54.9122 - Reporting II: Reporting Africa, skills, 4 points. Taught by Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, professor of journalism, University of Ghana, and Prof. Marcia Rock, director of broadcast journalism, NYU.

Please address any questions you have to Prof. Carol Sternhell, the department's Director of Global Initiatives, at cs5@nyu.edu. Prof. Sternhell says: "I've personally spent time in all three of these cities, Prague, Accra, and London, and loved them all in different ways. I'll be happy to talk to any of you about the possibilities. I urge you to take advantage of these opportunities (I wish they had existed years ago when I was in school)."