The Programme

The Boston University Graduate Journalism Programme (Autumn only) in London combines an internship and related course work. Two tracks are offered:

• International and Security Affairs Concentration
• Reporting and Reviewing the Arts Concentration

The first five weeks are spent taking a core class and a directed study. In the last eight weeks, students work full time in their internships and take a third course relating to their track, for a total of 16 Boston University credits.

Fall 2008 dates:
31 August - 13 December (Mid-semester Break: 8-12 October)

Click here to see the Fall 2008 Calendar.

↓Go to end of page to download the programme calendar.

Academics

All courses are offered at the graduate level. Each course carries four Boston University credits. During the first five weeks both tracks take the following options:

COM JO 701 Reporting British Politics and Culture
This course will offer graduate Journalism students an intensive study of the reporting of British Politics and Culture. Though concentrating primarily on the British scene, the study will be pursued in a broad European context, and there will be some consideration of how comparable themes are handled in United States media. As well as a solid basis of theory, there will be a strong practical aspect to the course. Students will be encouraged to relate class activities to their future plans as prospective professional journalists. There will be three strands to the course. An overview of the interplay between British politics and culture, with stress on print and electronic journalistic coverage in such areas as parliamentary proceedings, trends in health and welfare, education, foreign policy and mass entertainment. An assessment, using models drawn from print and electronic media, of the extent to which British politics and culture are being impacted upon by political and cultural developments in Continental Europe. The third strand will be a study, using models drawn from print and electronic media, of the impact upon British politics and culture of American cultural values and – not least – political power and influence. (Both tracks Prof Macleod 4cr).

COM JO 954 Directed Study
Students complete a substantial journalistic assignment that should include independent fieldwork of 5,000 to 6,000 words with the guidance of Aleks Sierz (Arts) or David McNeil (International). Students agree the title of their directed study in advance of the start of the programme and over the first five weeks of the semester have three scheduled tutorials with their faculty member to monitor the progress of the directed study. (Profs Sierz/McNeil 4 cr).

During the last eight weeks of the programme students take the appropriate elective listed below and the internship course.

COM JO 710 Modern British Drama: A Critic’s Perspective
This course provides you with a thorough introduction to post-war British theatre, along with key information about British theatre today. Particular attention is given to recent drama history; milestone play texts – from Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot (1953) to Sarah Kane’s Blasted (1995) – and the way they relate to their wider social and cultural context. Practical information about how to write theatre reviews, plus six theatre visits, will enhance the ability of students to discuss modern British drama in an informed and balanced manner. The ultimate aim is to increase awareness of British theatre and develop practical critical skills that will enable you to address the question of whether or not a new play is any good. (Arts track option, Prof Sierz 4 cr).

COM JO 708 The Foreign Correspondent: Reporting from Europe
This course brings the theories and concepts of news reporting to a very practical and hands-on level. Students analyse radio, television and newspaper reports and then fine tune their writing skills through class assignments. Throughout the course guest lecturers with first-hand experience of international reporting offer practical advice about succeeding in the field. The course offers an introduction to the structure and institutions of the international media. It also focuses on major issues and how they are covered. There is a particular emphasis on the skills involved in reporting conflict, including the delicate relationship between reporter and soldier and the arguments over how much of the reality of war should be shown on television and in the newspapers. Students will also examine the evolution of war reporting. You will be introduced to London news sources, the techniques of reporting in the electronic media and the practical aspects of working as a foreign correspondent. (International track option, David McNeil, 4 cr).

COM JO 737- B Graduate Internship
Students are pre-placed in their placements following initial interviews conducted on BU campus during April. Students work four days a week, for eight weeks, in journalism work placements. This course is examined by a Graduate Placement Portfolio, which is graded by Alexander Macleod, the core class lecturer. In summary students are expected to produce a Placement Portfolio of a total length of 40 pages - comprising three sections: Daily Entries, Field Research and an Analytical Conclusion. This accounts for 100% of the final internship grade.(Both tracks Prof Macleod 4cr).

Student Experience

'My time at CBS illuminated much about the field of journalism (foreign news coverage and broadcast in particular) and about the British culture. Its strengths were opportunity to job shadow, observe first-hand the coverage of international news, and access to places/people beyond that of average person.' - Fall 2007

'Professor MacLeod went above and beyond to make sure we (the five grad students) were doing well and happy. We've seen him a few times since the first half class ended, and he has been readily available if we've needed him.' - Fall 2007

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