WASHINGTON MEDIA INISTITUTE SEMINAR SPRING 2012 Time: Tuesday: 7:00-9:00pm Friday: 9:30am-5:30pm

INSTRUCTOR Name: Amos Gelb Phone: 202-285-4352 E-mail: gelb@washmediainstitute.org Office hours: By appointment COURSE DESCRIPTION The Washington Media Institute Seminar is the academic component of the Washington Media experience. It is designed to work with and around the internship that you are undertaking. The seminar has three primary areas of focus: 1) Increasing students creative metabolism 2) Sharpening their decision making process 3) Broadening their conception of media The seminar itself is a very different kind of academic course based on the foundation of a very different learning experience: experiential learning. Experiential education is learning-by-doing and then reviewing both what has been done and the lessons learned. At the core of this form of education is empowering students to become active participants thereby honing their decision-making processes. To that extent, skills training, lectures and other exercises are designed to work in tandem. Those skills are then honed to be put to work at the accelerated rate expected in todays professional world. The course itself is built as a pedagogical pyramid. At the base skills, theory, and exercises are married to prepare students to maximize their internship experience. That experience is then put into perspective by hearing from leading media professionals who discuss specific concepts as they are applied in the media today. The overall goal for the course is to give students the skills, knowledge and experience of the practical world they will soon enter by exploring the form and shape of media today and how it is changing through the prism of the forces in Washington, DC: political, social and economic.

By the very nature of the Washington Media Institute, this is a survey course that covers topics that are rich enough to entail a course in and of themselves. Instead, by giving students a broader sense of the entirety of todays media, the Washington Media Institute is designed to be a rigorous experience that is very different from the normal course work students experience at their home schools. LEARNING OUTCOMES: In line with the nature of experiential education, the goals of the seminar are practically oriented. By the end of the course students will: 1) Understand the state of, form of, and players in the media as it exists in Washington, DC and the seismic forces reshaping it, so as better to understand their future opportunities. 2) Understand and critically analyze the interactions between journalism, politics, economics and other forces and how those inter-actions shape todays media. 3) Develop the technical skills needed to work across all todays different media at the rate of production that is needed to compete today. 4) Produce multi-media content, using new forms of media and storytelling. COURSE COMPONENTS: The course is comprised of five parts: 1) Skills training 2) Lectures 3) Speakers 4) Site visits 5) Assignments 1) Skills: To understand and compete in todays media environment, students need to have baseline skills so that they can work across all media. A difference in approach of experiential learning is that rather than develop skills through extensive training, students are given the core abilities and then hone and advance those skills by completing projects that are concept-driven rather than skilldevelopment drive. Skills that will be developed are: Writing (across all media) Video shooting/editing (using a variety of digital cameras and digital editing technology) Web presentation (using Wordpress and other programs) Social Media (Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin and other programs) 2) Lectures: There are at least two and a half hours of lectures each week that will lay out the themes or focus on practical concepts that will be covered in the course. These lectures will explore the media across the entire landscape in Washington, DC, from political journalism to public relations and beyond, providing a holistic look at todays media as well as repeatedly revisiting skills concepts as students abilities evolve. 3) Speakers: As noted about, hearing from leading media professionals is the capstone of the course, putting internship experience, skills and theory into

professional perspective so that the lessons learned are placed in context. WMI students will hear from more than 30 speakers during the course of the semester. It is important to note that this is not a speakers series where a set of disparate voices offers little more than war stories, a chance for superficial networking and an autograph. Rather, these speakers and their expertise are targeted at specific topics and serve specific purposes. 4) Visits: Just as speakers can add context and perspective, so too can site visits. For example, one can study Congress for a lifetime but a whole new level of understanding comes from the experience of walking onto the floor of the House of Representatives or visiting a Congressional office. To that end, WMI students will experience news organizations, government institutions and other relevant sites. 5) Assignments: The assignments are a key ingredient in getting the most out of DC. These assignments will challenge students to apply the skills introduced and make decisions about what they should present. Initial assignments will focus on decision-making and application of skills. Once baseline levels have been established, assignments will grow in complexity and direct relevance to the media today. All assignments will comprise of written, video and web components reflecting the reality of todays media. TEXTS: Author Mark Feldstein Jeff Jarvis Pew Research Center Clay Sharkey Title Poisoning of the Press What Would Google Do State of the News Media 2011 Here Comes Everyone Publisher Farrar Strauss Giroux Harper Collins Pew (online) Penguin

Plus selected articles and other work, which will be posted on the delicious.com page. The selected texts represent different components of the course: Feldstein is a historic text to give some background on how the media evolved to its current state Jarvis captures the ethos of the new media world and the changing relationship between news supplier and audience State of the News Media offers a snap shot of todays media Sharkey explores the influence the new media is having on information. ASSIGNMENTS: There are four types of assignments for this course: Multi-media projects There will be series of assignments (four), which will put into practice the skills and concepts we address in class. Reflective Papers There will be two reflective 5-page papers that will require you to take stock of what you have been learning and hearing.

External Commissions After the initial projects, we will produce work for external organizations to raise the stakes in the quality of your product. WMI Challenge A WMI challenge project that allows students to reflect upon all they have learned in a multi-media presentation. GRADING Attendance: 10% Papers: 10% Team Assignments: 25% Pop quizzes: 5% Commissions: 25% Challenge: 10% Class participation: 15 % While each element will contribute a percentage to the final grade, failure to complete any single assignment will result in negative affect on your grade of up to 3 full grades. COURSE CONTENT: The course is broadly divided into three sections: Old Media explores the values, skills, and characteristics of the legacy media as they exist today and how they evolved. New Media explores the new and social media as they relate to journalism and communication in practice today and, more importantly, how the foundations of old media translate or dont - to the new age. The issues range from legal and ethical, to business and content forms. Everything beyond explores those elements of the media that may not fit cleanly into the rubric of earlier elements. Included but not limited to issues ranging from documentary and reality television, to branded networks and issues arising from global journalism and content creation.

Provisional Schedule The schedule is subject to change Week 1: January 9th January 14th Orientation and boot camp OLD MEDIA: WEEKS 2 6 WEEK 2 WHERE IS JOURNALISM TODAY? Tuesday1/17
NO CLASS FIRST DAY OF INTERNSHIP CRITIQUE ASSIGNMENTS/WEBPAGES

Friday1/20
ASSIGNMENT REVIEW 9:00-10:00 AM LECTURE 10:00-12:30 PM

WHATS WRONG WITH JOURNALISM TODAY? A review at the prevailing views on the state of journalism. Tommy Burr Salt Lake Tribune. Tommy is a newspaper report from a traditional regional paper. It is an interesting place to be in journalism today. The Voice of America is a very traditional newsroom, broadcasting traditional news on radio and video. This is a place where traditional journalism is very much alive Steve Springer senior executive producer.

Readings: State of the News Media

SPEAKER 2:00-3:000PM

Come to class with 5 problems you see in journalism today National Press Club, 14th and F streets DC.

Site Visit/Speaker Voice of America

300 Independence Ave, Washington DC.

SPEAKER 4.30-6pm

WEEK 3 JOURNALISMS ROLE IN THE AMERICAN POLITICAL LANSCAPE Tuesday 1/24

WATCH STATE OF THE UNION PLAY THE DUNKING GAME!

Friday 1/27
LECTURE 9:00-10AM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE An examination of the vital historical role journalism has played in shaping US society from John Paul Zenger to Readings: Poisoning the Press.

WATCH 10:00-12:30PM SPEAKER 3:30 5:00PM

Watergate. How does that traditional role and influence translate in an age of Kim Kardashian, the Arab Spring and Herman Cain? ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN Washington journalism cannot be discussed without understanding the pivotal role of these events. Mark Feldstein GW Professor and award-winning journalist. Feldstein will discuss his book (the assigned reading) and talk about the history of investigative reporting and why it has been so important.

WEEK 4 COVERING WASHINGTON AND THE HILL Monday 1/30

8-9pm Friday 2/3 SITE VISIT 10:00-4:30PM Kalb Report speaker tba. National Press Club, 1400 F Street Tour the Capitol Take Metro to Capitol South and walk straight to the Capitol Dome. Meet on House side.

Visit Capitol Hill Meet the players from journalists to press secretaries to Capitol staffers to understand how the media covers the Hill. Details TBA. Covering the Hill After meeting all the players we will discuss why coverage of the Hill is not only so sparse but how that coverage influences peoples negative impression of the Hill.

DISCUSSION 4:40 5:15pm

WEEK 5 HOW THE ECONOMICS SHAPED THE MEDIA

Tuesday 2/7 LECTURE 7:00-8:00PM STORYTELLING We will return to the art of storytelling raised in boot camp. Particularly, we will look at narrative storytelling techniques and explore how different kinds of stories can be told. John Donvan ABC News Nightline Donvan is the best storyteller in television today and will talk about his processes and style. Reading: Excerpt from On Writing Well, Zinsser; Autism article in Atlantic, John Donvan

SPEAKER 8:00-9:00PM

Friday 2/10

ASSIGNMENT REVIEW 9:30-11:00AM LECTURE 11:15-12:30 PM

REVIEW SECOND ASSIGNMENTS THE ECONOMICS OF JOURNALISM We will explore how the economics of media have shaped the nature and form of legacy journalism. WJLA/POLITICO The WJLA newsroom in DC houses both a legacy media entity the ABC-affiliate local television station and the hottest new media journalism Politico. We will explore how legacy media is faring as it shares space with new media. BILL LORD Station manager WJLA LEON HARRIS Chief anchor JAKE SHERMAN Politico, Congressional correspondent. Begin reading Jarvis

SITE VISIT 2:00 5:00PM

SPEAKERS

WEEK 6 THE RELATIONSHIP WITH PR

Tuesday 2/14 LECTURE 7:00-9:00 PM EPORTFOLIOS We will begin the process of building your eportfolios, which are the newest, and rapidly growing in popularity among recruiters, way of presenting your work and resume. TURN IN FIRST 5 PAGE PAPER EVALUATE THE SPEAKERS SO FAR AND, BASED ON THEIR COMMENTARY AND WHAT YOU HAVE READ, HOW HAS YOUR VIEW OF THE MEDIA CHANGED, IF AT ALL. Press and PR an uncomfortable symbiosis. A look at the underlying factors in the relationship between PR and journalism in D.C. and explore how the stakeholders and motivations create a contentious relationship and how the lines between the two are getting blurred. ELLIOT NEGIN Union of Concerned Scientists. There is a whole business of PR that is related to the issues rather than products. The Union of Concerned

ASSIGNMENT

Friday 2/17 LECTURE 10:00-12:00PM

SPEAKER 2003:30PM

SPEAKER 3:45-5:00PM

Scientists is just trying to save humanity and Elliot is the press person. KEITH BLACKMAN a leading media and pr consultant. He has worked with big pr firms, corporate America, and a range of other organizations. A former NBC producer he made a successful voyage to the dark side.

NEW MEDIA: WEEKS 7-9 Week 7 THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRANSITION TO THE NEW MEDIA
Tuesday 2/21 SCREEN 7:00-9:00 PM STATE OF PLAY The quintessential DC journalism movie that explores the conflict between old and new media. Finish reading Jarvis by this week

Friday 2/24 SITE VISIT 10:00-12:00 PM

THE WASHINGTON POST We will spend the day at the Washington Post learning how this fabled newspaper is adjusting to the new media age and exploring the culture wars between old and new media taking place.

SPEAKERS

Rajiv Narissetti Managing editor Nurith Aizenman - Reporter Editor Amy Shinns - Reporter WashPost recap we will review and consider the complex issues surrounding this newspapers evolution to a new media entity.

DISCUSSION 4:00-5:00PM

WEEK 8: A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NEWEST MEDIA

Tuesday 2/28 ASSIGNMENT REVIEW 7:00-9:00PM Friday 3/2 LECTURE 10:00-12:00PM SCREEN AND REVIEW THIRD VIDEO/WEBPAGE ASSIGNMENTS

The Social Network What is behind them and how do they really work and what is that impact on journalism? Are they really as gamechanging as conventional wisdom would suggest.

Reading: Sharkey

SPEAKER 2:00-3:00PM

SPEAKER 4:00-5:00PM

Joe Gizzy New Media Strategies one of the top communications strategists in the city. Andrew Noyes Public Affairs Communications Director at Facebook.

SPRING BREAK MARCH 5TH 9TH

WEEK 9 THE GOVERNMENTS ROLE IN THE NEW MEDIA
Tuesday 3/13 NO CLASS Friday 3/1 LECTURE 10:00-12:00PM NEW MEDIA NEW POLICIES The new media changes everything from copyright to net neutrality. How is the system adjusting? What are the limitations and how does the old relationship between media and the government translate? What is net neutrality and why it matter? What is governments role in this new media? Federal Communications Commission Haley Van Dyck - FCC New Media Director Colin Crowell FCC Special Counsel Reading: Sharkey

SITE VISIT 2:00-5:00PM SPEAKER 4:00-5:00 PM

EVERYTHING BEYOND: WEEKS 10-14 WEEK 10 RADIO THE OTHER BROADCAST MEDIUM
Tuesday 3/20 TBD Friday 3/23 LECTURE 10:00 12:00PM

SITE VISIT 2:30-4.30pm

Radio the Forgotten Medium Much ignored amidst the glamour of TV and the web is the enduring quality and power of radio. Rather than being killed by television and the internet, today more people listen the NPR than watch the combined three Network TV newscasts. How has it survived when it was ruled dead so many times? What are the different models and how it is evolving? SIRIUS-XM RADIO

Sirius-XM New York Ave, NE

SPEAKER SPEAKER 6:00-6:30pm

Bob Edwards former NPR host now star of Sirius-XM Dan Raviv CBS Radio one of the journalistic work horses of the city.

CBS Radio 2000 M Street DC

WEEK 11 LONG FORM PRODUCTION

Tuesday3/27 ASSIGNMENT DUE Friday 3/30 LECTURE 9:30-12:00PM LONG FORM PRODUCTION How does long form production differ from short form? How is the story telling different? What can be learned from reality television? SEAN FINE AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARIAN. Jason JASON WILLIAMS FORMER CNN PRODUCER TURNED REALITY SHOW EXECUTIVE. Jason is one of the leading makers of non-fiction television for networks such as Discovery and National Geographic. SECOND PAPER DUE (EMAIL) NO CLASS

SPEAKER 1:30-3:00PM SPEAKER 3:30-5:00PM

WEEK 12 THE MILITARY AND THE MEDIA

Tuesday 4/3 TOPIC SPEAKER UNDERSTANDING NETWORKING THOMAS COOK, THOMAS COOK ASSOCIATES. Thomas is the master networker. He will show you how the game is really played. THE PENTAGON We will visit the White House and talk to communications leaders. Exact details to come COL JIM FLEIGAL Assistant Director of Social Media Office of the Secretary of Defense THE MILITARY AND THE MEDIA FROM EMBEDDING TO CENSORSHIP the military specialized at keeping secrets, the press at revealing them. We will look Tour the Capitol Take Metro to Capitol South and walk straight to the Capitol Dome. Meet on House side.

Friday 4/6 SITE VISIT 9:00-12:00PM

SPEAKER 12pm- 1pm LECTURE 2pm 3.30pm

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at the push and pull of media covering them military under the banner of the 1st amendment. And how that discussion extending to issues like the Arab Spring and the role of journalism and the media in the US and abroad.

WEEK 13 ALTERNATE CONTENT CREATION

Tuesday 4/10 TBD Friday 4/13 LECTURE 10-12pm

ALTERNATE CONTENT CREATION Increasingly there are alternate forms of content being creating by alternate organizations. This week will look at some of these alternate content forms and who is creating them. Joie Chen Branded Networks. Joie worked at CBS and CNN before leaving traditional journalism to establish what she called the third rail of information. Jon Senior Canvas Bag Productions. Jon creates road shoes for corporations. It may seem far from journalism but it is about content creation, and as he tells it, story telling.

SPEAKER 2-3.30pm

SPEAKER 4-5pm

WEEK 14 THE WHITE HOUSE

Tuesday 4/17

TBD
Friday 4/20 SITE VISIT 10:00-12:00PM LECTURE WHITE HOUSE We will visit the White House and talk to communications leaders. COVERING THE WHITE HOUSE How has coverage of the President changed from Watergate? How do reconcile the 24/7 news cycle with being managed by the White House press staff? Ed Henry FOX White House Correspondent Henry has covered the White House first for CNN and now for FOX

SPEAKER

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WEEK 15: WRAPPING UP

Friday 4/27 PRESENT 10am -10.30am PRESENT 10:45am - 11.15am PRESENT 11.15am-11.30am FINAL COMMENTS/ HOUSE CLEANING 11.30am-1pm GRADUATION LUNCH 1-2PM CAPSTONE PROJECTS EPORTFOLIOS INTERN PRESENTATIONS WRAPPING UP THE SEMESTER GRADUATION LUNCH

CLASS POLICIES Attendance policy: unless arranged and approved by the Professor ahead of time, there is a zero tolerance for absences. Each absence will contribute to grades being deducted. Two unexplained absences will cost one grade. Late work: the media world is unforgiving. Late work will not be accepted without exceptional reasons. Policy on Religious Holidays: Please notify faculty and staff as early as possible of any conflict with religious events. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Simply put dont cheat or plagiarize. Punishment can include dismissal from the program, In the real world you will be fired or worse.

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