Instructor: Jill Abramson
Thursday, 9:00-11:45am | Location: Barker 018
Enrollment: Limited to 12 students
Course site
An intensive seminar for those interested in understanding the changing role of journalism and learning the art of reporting and writing narrative stories. The course is designed for students who want a better sense of how journalism really works, taught by the former Executive Editor of The New York Times. Major types of journalism-- profiles, features and investigations will be examined and analyzed. Coursework will include two, magazine-length, narrative nonfiction articles. One is a reported profile. The other is on a subject chosen by each student. A first-person memoir is assigned between these two articles. Readings will include some of the best examples of modern journalism, from magazine features by authors including Gay Talese, Jane Mayer, David Carr and Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah to multimedia narratives such as The New York Times' "Snow Fall" and podcasts.” On a daily basis, students will listen each weekday to The Daily, the news podcast produced by The New York Times. Because this seminar is focused on improving writing skills, students will master the various stages of writing and editing pieces of longform journalism, from how to come up with story ideas, how to outline, how to write a draft and revise work for a final, publishable version. No previous journalism experience required.
Supplemental Application Information: The application should include a letter saying why the student wants to take the workshop, why writing and journalism interests them, and which websites, magazines, newspapers and other news sources they read. A writing sample is optional for this course application.
Apply via Submittable (deadline: 11:59pm EDT on Sunday, August 21)