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Cultural Journalism - JRN260 Fall 2025
Course
Tony Ozuna
This course is an introduction to cultural journalism and reporting, by taking advantage of the rich cultural life of Prague. While there will be a focus on the contemporary art and music scenes, students will also be able to explore the literary and theatre scenes, as well as take advantage of the numerous festivals in the city, particularly for feature and documentary films. An understanding and appreciation of the role of cultural organizations and institutions will be emphasized, and so students will also be given the opportunity to meet with representatives of cultural organizations, as well as artists, musicians, directors, writers and publishers. Field trips to galleries, exhibits and other cultural events in Prague will be an integral component of the course. This activity will be combined with discussions of assigned readings from seminal to contemporary cultural critics and journalists.The primary medium for publishing the best work in this class will be the AAU student newspaper At the Lennon Wall; however, students may also have the opportunity to publish in other online or print publications based in Prague, and beyond. This course, however, is also welcome to students who simply want to learn about the world of cultural journalism.
Here is the course outline:
1. What is Cultural Journalism?
Sep 3
Who is good at it? Cultural journalists vs. entertainment news. Site Visit: Ivan Argote "Radical Tenderness" at Gallery Rudolfinum. As homework, students should also watch a few documentary films about Prague’s cultural history and its uniqueness |
2. Mysterious Prague
Sep 10, campus then site visit
Topic: Mysterious Prague (discussion) then crash course in journalistic writing versus academic essays - review of the inverted pyramid and the 5 W's for journalists. Site visit: Tono Stano |
3. Kunsthalle Prague
Sep 17
Topic: Anna Eva Bergman & Hans Hartung Site Visit: Kunsthalle Prague |
4. David Lynch - Up in Flames
Sep 24
Topic: David Lynch - Up in Flames exhibit Description: Paintings, Drawings, Photos & Film Site visit: Dox Centre for Contemporary Art |
5. Press Play Prague
Oct 1
Topic: Press Play Prague - Journalism & Film Festival Site visit: there is no visit on this date. Guest is Rachel Danna - organizer of Press Play Prague film festival |
6. Prague Press Play - Pt. 2 (festival visit)
Oct 8
Topic: Prague Press Play Pt. 2 Description: we'll attend the Prague Press Play festival Site visit: meeting at Kino Atlas for film screening at 3:00 pm |
7. Dagmar Hochova - Czech Photography
Oct 15
Dagmar Hochova at Prague City Gallery - House of Photography |
8. City Love - Czech Photography
Oct 22
Music Journalism pt. 1 & Women Artists 1300-1900 Site Visit: Kampa Museum for City Love photo exhibiton |
9. Mid-Term break
Oct 29
Topic: There is no meeting on this date due to our Midterm Break |
10. Prague Literary Scene or Music Journalism Pt. 2
Nov 5
Topic: contemporary literature or music Description: guest (TBA) Site Visit: on-site |
11. Film History Museum in Prague
Nov 12
Na Film - visit to student-run Czech film history museum |
12. Week 13-Film Reviews
Nov 19
Topic: Film Reviews The classics to contemporary |
13. Summarizing Prague's Cultural Scene
Nov 26
Topic: Summarizing Prague’s Cultural Scene Description: Final excursion, visiting sites for the final article/assignment |
14. Wrap-up.
Dec 3
Last group meeting, and second-half of the final exam session with site visits. |
15. Happy Holidays
Dec 10
There is no meeting on the week of final exams. Happy Holidays after your finals. |