2016 - Spring

News Analysis

Course Number: JOUR-GA 1182.011

Day & Time: Tuesday, 3:30pm-6:00pm

Location: 654

Instructor: Mohamad Bazzi

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, book reviews, explanatory, and historical context pieces. This is not primarily 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 700-word op-eds to explanatory or context essays of roughly 1,500 words. While you can write on local and national subjects, we will focus heavily on international affairs.

between documentary photography, photojournalism, vernacular photographs and fine art, how can a
personal photographic project fit in with new storytelling possibilities such as multimedia platforms,
smart camera documentation, audio slideshows, tablet e-readers, while addressing social issues in
depth? Some documentary photographers approach a subject with a clear agenda for prescriptive
change, some come with a direction, technique, or a subject area, some come seeking answers, often
in the form of stories or essays, and others seek to portray a psychological reality or state of mind. In
many cases, a new understanding of the world, or at least one aspect of the world, is achieved.
Besides imparting an understanding of this process, this course poses the question: How will you
document the social, political, economic, and cultural issues of today and cultivate a narrative with
still images?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. Students will write a range of pieces, from 700-word op-eds to explanatory or context essays of roughly 1,500-2,000 words. While you can write on local and national subjects, we will focus heavily on international affairs