Category Archives: Spring Prep

Covering Religion 2020

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INFORMATION SHEET AND APPLICATION FOR “COVERING RELIGION”

SPRING 2020

PROFESSORS ARI L. GOLDMAN, GREG KHALIL AND DUY LINH TU

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

  • Info Session: Tuesday, November 5, 12;30 p.m., Room 601B
  • Application Deadline: Monday, November 18, 9 a.m.

“Covering Religion” aims at preparing students to write about religion with intelligence and sophistication for secular media outlets in the U.S. and around the world. In the Spring 2020 semester, the class will focus on the role of religion in the American South with special (but not exclusive) attention to the 2020 Presidential election. Thanks to a generous grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation, the course will include a 10-day study-tour of two Southern states, Louisiana and Mississippi, at virtually no cost to students. (The minimal expenses that students will incur are described below.)

The study-tour will take place over Spring Break, with the weekends before and after the break used for travel. The tentative dates are March 13 to March 23, 2020. The first seven weeks of the course will be spent reporting on religious diversity in the greater New York area. At the beginning of the term, each student is assigned a faith, or a sect of a faith, in which to specialize. While a primary focus of the semester will be on the region’s diverse Protestant and Catholic communities, the class will also look at minority faiths like Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and others. In addition to their reporting and writing projects, each student will make an oral presentation in class about his or her assigned faith. While still in New York, students will identify and begin to report on the stories that they want to cover while traveling in the South. (The stories they report on the trip will not necessarily be on their faith beat.)

We believe that this spring is a particularly good time to look at the role of religion in the Southern states, especially as we approach the 2020 presidential election. It is clear that the Evangelical support for Donald Trump was one of the stories overlooked during 2016 election. This factor was one of the reasons that Trump’s victory caught much of the news media by surprise.

The 16 members of Covering Religion class will travel as a group for parts of the trip, visiting houses of worship and speaking with religious leaders. But there will also be several “reporting days” for students, working alone or with a partner, to pursue their reporting projects. Students in the class will have the opportunity to work in print, audio or video.

During the 2020 trip, the class will maintain a website that will include daily updates from our travels. Each day on the trip, one student will be responsible for reporting on that day’s activities and posting the story on the Web. In addition, two students serve as Webmasters and others coordinate photographs, video and social media. Upon returning from the study-tour, students will complete and post their major reporting projects from the trip. (The Websites from previous years can be found at www.coveringreligion.org.)

Here are a few additional points —

  • Class size: The class is limited to 16 students drawn from the M.S. Program.
  • Dates for the trip: The trip roughly takes place over spring break, making use of the weekends before and after for travel time.
  • Full-time and part-time students in the M.S. Program & M.S. Data Journalism programs are invited to apply.
  • The class meets for 15 Tuesdays, from roughly 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., beginning on Jan. 28.
  • Academic Requirements: All students must be up-to-date on assignments for all other classes. No student on academic probation or academic warning will be allowed to go on the trip.
  • Composition of the class: We are looking for a group of students that will reflect the diversity of the school in terms of gender, language skills, travel experience, region of the United States and country of origin. No prior travel experience is necessary.
  • Cost to students: The Scripps Howard Foundation grant pays for airfare, hotels, transfers and two meals a day. Students can apply for extra money for other reporting excursions during the class trip. Students will have to arrange their own travel to and from the airport in New York.
  • Application process: Please fill out the on-line application at http://bit.ly/CUJ_religion. 
It asks for a 500-word essay on why you would like to be considered for the class. It should include personal information as well as a statement about what contemporary religion story you would cover in the South if you had the opportunity.

Good luck. We look forward to reading your application.

DEADLINE: November 18, 2019, 9 a.m.

Spring Prep Day 2016 Agenda

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8:30am-9:00am – Lobby

Student Registration

 9:00am-10:00am – Lecture Hall

Covering the Transgender Story

Producers from ABC News & FRONTLINE discuss the Bruce Jenner interview and how to report on children in transition.

  • Prof Betsy West moderator
  • Miri Navasky & Karen O’Connor, Producers/Directors FRONTLINE “Growing Up Trans”
  • Margaret Dawson & Claire Weinraub, Producers ABC News “Bruce Jenner Interview”

10:00am-11:00am – Lecture Hall

Reporting on Syria’s 2013 Sarin Gas Attack 

CBS News Anchor Scott Pelley and Sr. Producer Nicole Young talk about reporting an international war crime; Syria’s President Assad use of sarin gas on civilians in 2013, and 60 Minutes’ decision to show graphic footage of the victims.

  • Prof/duPont Jury Chair Dick Wald interviewer
  • Scott Pelley, CBS News Anchor; “60 Minutes: A Crime Against Humanity”
  • Nicole Young, CBS News Sr. Producer; “60 Minutes: A Crime Against Humanity”

11:00am-12:00pm – Lecture Hall

Career Services Presentation

In this session we will present an overview of spring events and deadlines that will help you plot your post-graduation careers. Topics include: Your career search timeline, a round-up of exclusive internships that are available only to J-Schoolers (deadline Feb. 25), upcoming career-related workshops, and how to start preparing now for Career Expo 2016. This talk is aimed at students in all degree programs at the J-School. Presented by the Career Services team.

12:00pm-1:00pm

Lunch on your own

1:00pm-2:00pm – Lecture Hall

“Discrimination, Harassment, and Gender-Based Misconduct”

*Attendance will be taken at the close of this session.

2:00pm-3:00pm – Lecture Hall

Uncovering Misconduct 

Investigative reporters from WNYC in New York, KMOV-TV in Missouri, WBAL-TV in Baltimore and KCBS radio in SF speak about covering the criminal justice system and un-covering misconduct by thos”e in power.

  • Prof June Cross moderator
  • Craig Cheatham, Investigative Reporter frmr KMOV – now at KSTP: “The Injustice System: Cops, Courts & Greedy Politicians”
  • Robert Lewis, Reporter, WNYC “NYPD Bruised”
  • Jayne Miller, Investigative Reporter, WBAL, “Freddie Gray Investigation”
  • Doug Sovern, Reporter, KCBS “Unholy Water” (duPont Finalist)

3:00pm-4:00pm – Lecture Hall

International Reporting Now

Reporters and producers from VICE News, HBO Real Sports, and FRONTLINE in conversation about innovative foreign reporting – from covering the Ebola outbreak in West Africa (including using 360 video), to harnassing social media to track Russian soldiers in Ukraine, to mixing humor, sports and tragedy to tell important international stories.

  • Prof Ann Cooper moderator
  • Simon Ostrovsky, Reporter (VICE),”Selfie Soldiers”
  • David Scott, Correspondent/Producer, HBO Real Sports, “The Price of Glory”
  • Dan Edge, Sr. Producer, FRONTLINE, “Outbreak”
  • Sasha Joelle Achilli, Producer, FRONTLINE “Outbreak”

REMINDER: SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEK

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Dear Students,

 This is just a reminder about the schedule for next week:

  • Monday, January 19: University Holiday – Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Tuesday, January 20: FT M.S. Students submit first draft of Master’s Project (10 am); M.A. students attend outside classes of interest. No Journalism School classes held.
  • Wednesday, January 21: Spring Prep Day. All FT M.S. students attend mandatory Spring Prep Day events; M.A. students attend Spring Prep Day events (except when attending outside classes of interest); All other students invited to attend. No Journalism School classes held.
  • Thursday, January 22: Spring 2015 classes begin at the Journalism School.

Spring Prep Briefing with the Deans

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WHEN/WHERE:

Monday, Nov 10,  1:00-2:00pm – World Room

Wednesday, Nov 12, 5:00-6:00pm – Stabile Student Center

 

WHAT WILL BE COVERED:

Rest of the Fall

  • Fall evaluations of students (mid-term and final)
  • Fall grades
  • Fall evaluations of courses by students (FT via Reporting; PT via link)
  • Diploma applications
  • Honors in Class
  • Winter Break
  • Assessment

 

Spring Planning

  • Spring course types: S&Ps & Modules
  • Spring schedule
  • Application classes
  • Add/Drop

 

Graduation Preview

  • Grading
  • Honors
  • Awards

 

Key Dates

  • Spring Preview (aka Dog & Pony Show): Tuesday, November 18, Lecture Hall
  • Spring MS Registration: December 1, 2014
  • Winter Break: December 14 through January 19

 

MAJOR MEMO: M.S. Spring Planning

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SPRING SEMESTER PREP (updated several times a week) Here’s the schedule for Spring Semester Prep – events and dates to help you prepare for the Spring Semester. All the information will be available electronically, but you are encouraged to attend any events/briefing sessions you can. Please note we are offering events on a variety of dates and times. All this is subject to change, so please check back often.

The deans will be available throughout November to discuss your options and help you plan for the Spring.

PLEASE NOTE: This information is for M.S. students. There will be an M.A. briefing session on November 19, at 2 p.m., in the Lecture Hall. Tali Woodward and Melanie Huff will go over Spring Semester questions and dealing with Fall final evaluations.

  • Friday, Nov 7, 8a.m.,Stabile Student Center: BOOK WRITING SEMINAR – Preview & Application Instruction session with Prof. Sam Freedman.
  • Week of Nov 9: M.S Spring Curriculum released. Link will be emailed to students.
  • Monday, Nov 10, 1-2pm., Lecture Hall: Spring prep meeting with focus on Spring Semester questions and dealing with Reporting final evaluations.
  • Monday, Nov 10, 6-7p.m., Lecture Hall:  COVERING RELIGION. Preview & Application Instruction session with Prof. Ari Goldman.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 12, 5-6p.m., Stabile Student Center: Spring prep meeting with focus on Spring Semester questions and dealing with Reporting final evaluations.
  • Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:15p.m.-7:15p.m., 601B: SPORTS JOURNALISM – Preview  session with Prof. Sandy Padwe.
  • Monday, Nov 17, 5 p.m.: Applications due for COVERING RELIGION.
  • Monday, Nov 17, 6:15-7:00p.m., World Room: Preview of MANAGING THE 21st CENTURY NEWS ORGANIZATION with Prof. Grueskin.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 18, 6-7:30 p.m., Lecture Hall: Spring Preview Session – an evening when professors who teach Spring Seminar & Production courses are invited to present three-minute previews of their classes. Typically, most professors present and all M.S. students gather for this session. Please note that only a handful of classes have individual briefing sessions (as listed above), so it is critical that you attend this large gathering
  • Wednesday, Nov 19: Preview of RADIO WORKSHOP with Prof. John Dinges and Prof. Kerry Donahue
  • Friday, Nov 21: Preview of VIDEO STORYTELLING with Prof. Lisa Cohen
  • Monday, Nov 24: Students notified of application results for Book Writing and Covering Religion.
  • Monday, Nov 24, 1-2p.m., Room 607B: Preview of COVERING EDUCATION with Prof. LynNell Hancock.
  • Monday, Nov 24, 5-6p.m., Lecture Hall: Preview of NIGHTLY NEWS with Prof. Lennart Bourin
  • Friday, Nov 28: Deadline for students to accept offers for application classes.
  • Monday, Dec 1: Online Registration via SSOL
  • Dec 15-Jan. 20: Winter Break; work on Master’s Projects for M.S. students (first draft due Tuesday, Jan. 20)
  • Jan 5-Jan 30: Add/Drop period
  • Tuesday, Jan 20: M.A. and other University classes begin.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 21, 9:30-5:00: ALL-CLASS EVENT: SPRING PREP DAY: “An annual day of academic, career and writing/reporting tips and advice, before the semester formally begins. Brought to you by Student Affairs, Academic Affairs and Career Services “ – mandatory for all full-time MS students and MA students (except those MA students whose outside classes begin then); all others welcome. Presented by Student Affairs and Career Services.
  • Thursday Jan. 22: M.S. classes begin