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MED 4801:T1
Travel Learn: Media Journalism & the United Kingdom
Spring 2007
Dr. Kristine Mirrer
Media & Film
CAS 419, Ext. 70456

The class will present an overview of media journalism – with an emphasis on radio and television -- in the United Kingdom. Students will prepare for, sample, and appreciate Dublin, London, and Wales events and locations as seen through the eyes of a media journalist while on tour March 13-21, 2008. The focus of the course is the tour experience, therefore assignments and meetings are designed to support the actual travel adventure. Students will be given all necessary information about the trip, including all logistics for travel. Class is expected to meet three times before travel and twice after, subject to need/desire for additional contact.

Meeting dates as follows:

TRIP: March 15-23, 2008 DUBLIN●WALES●LONDON, departing Thursday

PRE-TRIP: Kean University, all classes meet the following dates in CAS-106 at 3:30 to 4:50
1.) Monday, January 28, 2008
2.) Wednesday, February 20, 2008
3.) Monday, March 3, 2008 PRE-TRIP Assignments Due

POST TRIP: Kean University, all classes meet the following dates in CAS-106 at 3:30-4:50
4.) Monday, April 14, 2008 – Project Progress Report Due, Final Project(s) Due: Wednesday, April 23 (no group meeting this day/hand-in to CAS 401 office or CAS 417 mailbox)
5.) Wednesday, May 7, 2008 -- Student Showcase

Assignments:

I. Pre-Trip Preparation:

• Part I: Write a one-page human-interest news story on your anticipated trip to Dublin, Wales, and London. It should include what you know about these places in the UK and how the media has shaped your expectation. What are you expecting to do on the trip, visit museums, tourist attractions, history, cultural activities, shop, eat, etc.? (This portion of your assignment may relate to your research for Media & the United Kingdom, if you are also registered for that course. Part II: attach a second page explaining how you would adapt this story for different media (e.g. the type of shots you would use for TV, the possible natural sound for an audio actuality, possible stills for a podcast, point of view for a blog, key points for a newsletter, pictures for a Webpage, etc.)
• Begin your United Kingdom Travel Blog



• Film:
Part I: Watch a popular film of your choice that is set in Ireland, England, or Wales (or significantly about the UK), and think about the coming trip. Did the film affect or influence your planned activities or attitude toward England/Ireland/Wales? Part II: Watch it again after you return from the trip. Did your experience in the United Kingdom alter your experience of the film? Write a comparison of the film experience before and after the Dublin/Wales/London trip. (Note: parts I and II may relate to your film research for Media & the United Kingdom, if you are are enrolled in that course.) Part III: Adapt this written comparison for a TV, Radio, Podcast, or Newsletter review script. Record the script in the format you have chosen (TV, Radio, Podcast, or Newsletter) and submit the CD/DVD and script of your review. (TRT: 00:45-01:30)
• Create an entry in your Blog about this film



• Media News Research: Some source suggestions: Google Scholar (from home page go to More and drop down menu lists “Scholar) Type in related topic to search

Briefly answer the following:
• Describe the British/Irish/Welsh Television system (technical standards -- U.S. is NTSC, France is SECAM, England is ____________.)
• Describe the types of programming.
• Describe the means of programming support (advertising, government supported, pay services, etc.)
• Regulation (who controls it?)
• News: Compare Broadcast News in the U.K. to the U.S. and identify the major international broadcast news agency
• What are the major news broadcasts?
• What are the most popular broadcast news magazine programs?
• Who are the popular newscasters?
• What are some of the important news events for the Irish, Welsh, and British, in particular, in the last year?
• Add some of the information you uncover to your Blog


II. On-Tour Assignment: Based on your pre-trip research…
• Watch a sample of United Kingdom Television News and an international news service such as CNN. How do they compare to the news you listen to and watch at home?
• Take notes on the 2 stories. Remember to include date and times, etc. When you have access to the internet (perhaps when you return home), look up the same stories (this is where date and time may help you) and see how the US news covered the same events.
• Plan a location for a stand-up(s) for a video story you will edit together when you get home. Or, find locations that have natural audio that will enhance a radio story. Record in these locations.
• Find and record interviews that will be used in your news story (these may be audio or video, depending upon your project).
• Report about your newsgathering and recording experiences or observations from the above in a blog, podcast, webpage, or photostory so that it can be shared with others, including the public or your family.
• Continue to update your Blog with events from your travels

III. Post Trip Assignment:
• Create the news story you have worked on your trip (Radio or TV). Meet with your advisor to discuss format and time. General time guidelines are TRT: 1:30 for a TV news piece and TRT: 1:00 for a radio actuality.
• Continue your Blog when you return home
And Do one of the following:
• Write a news article (with photos), broadcast news report, or newsletter (with photos) based on your experience with media & culture.
• Create a video Travel Learn promo based on your experience with the Dublin-Wales-London trip.
• Create a digital story based on your experience.
• Link your projects to your Blog

EVALUATION: Course grade is based on the successful participation in the Travel Learn experience. Students are required to participate in ALL included activities as part of the normal itinerary. In addition, students are expected to be on time and their general behavior is expected to reflect favorably on the program, the university and the United States abroad. This Travel Learn trip is an educational experience, not a vacation.


Notes:
1.) Free blogging software will make it simple to begin your blog. Many people like Google’s Blogger. (Click on link from main google or gmail pages.)
2.) Remember to activate your Kean University email account – this will be our default email link. Please follow the directions on the gold hand-out to update your account.