Introductions
Professor Emily H. Johnson
Syllabus
International Reporting Syllabus
The life of a foreign correspondent is full of new horizons and surprises, risks and frustrations, and unrivaled opportunities to create rich journalistic work. The goal of this course is to prepare you to step into that role by reporting real international stories here in New York City.
Each student will choose one country (or nation) as a primary focus and will report on issues involving that country throughout the semester. By the end of the course, you will have spoken to a diverse array of sources, compiled in-depth knowledge of the country’s geopolitical significance, and defined issues and the major stories unfolding there. You will become familiar with the local media of that country and be able to speak knowledgeably about its successes and failures. You will spend time reporting in immigrant communities, interview people abroad via Skype, and learn about many international agencies and organizations, including the United Nations. You will also learn best practices for reporting safely and responsibly across languages and cultures and in remote places.
You will produce three stories over the course of the semester, along with other assignments. This course is not medium-specific, and you are free to focus on video, radio or photojournalism — if you can demonstrate competency — rather than writing.
Discussion: The state of international reporting in 2020
It used to be that even smaller newspapers had foreign correspondents, but in the digital era the old models have fallen by the wayside. These days, the “big four” of American print (NYT, WaPo, WSJ, and L.A. Times) still have overseas reporters but most other papers rely on wire copy for their international stories. Meanwhile, the places opening foreign bureaus are new media organizations like Buzzfeed (which is actually doing some incredible journalism).
What does this mean for aspiring journalists who have their hearts set on working abroad? It means that there has been an industry-wide shift toward reliance on freelance content, which is fantastic news for anyone who is willing to take the risk of just picking up and going somewhere and trying to make it on their own. There are certainly still overseas staff jobs, but they’re harder to get; not impossible, but the bulk of the opportunities are on the freelance side.
The last few years have also been a notably dangerous time for journalists around the world. Press freedom is an increasingly fragile thing, even here in the United States.
Student introductions.
What are you hoping to get out of this class, and what would your dream journalism job be? (Either full-time job or story assignment.)
Discuss
How to do a local angle on an international story? How are events overseas affecting people here? Alternatively, what are some issues that are unique to the immigrant community here in New York?
Examples
The earthquake in Haiti:
Voodoo, An Anchor, Rises Again
Haitians Struggle to Make New Lives in New York
Trump’s executive order on immigration:
Students Stranded Worldwide By Trump Order
NYC Taxi Drivers Stage Airport Strike to Protest Trump’s “Inhumane & Cruel” Executive Order
Fidel Castro’s death:
Cubans in Louisville, Ky., Quietly Mark Castro’s Death
Miami’s Cuban Exiles Celebrate Castro’s Death
Puerto Rico debt crisis:
For New York Puerto Ricans, debt crisis begins to hit home
Suicides Soar Among New York Koreans
Immigrant profiles:
In New York, Mexico’s richest immigrants lend hand to their countrymen
Best Places to Look for Story Ideas and Reporting Resources
Organizations that have a local office: Afghan Women’s Writing Project
Facebook events and pages: Yemeni Businesses Shut Down & Rally Against “Muslim Ban” and “Religious Organizations in Flushing, New York”
Community groups: American Indian Community House
Restaurants and shops
FOR NEXT CLASS:
Read “The Myth of the Reckless Young Freelancer” by Anna Day and come prepared to discuss.
Also, decide which country/NYC immigrant community you would like to cover this semester and do some preliminary research into the types of stories you would likely be able to cover from here in New York. Write a blog post of about 250 words detailing which country/nation/community you would like to cover (or which ones you’re deciding between) and some of the pertinent resources and sources that would likely be available to you here.
Some ideas/resources:
New York’s Neighborhoods By Ethnicity
18 Ethnic Micro Neighborhoods in NYC
