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Cultural Journalism - JRN260 Fall 2026
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 2
Who is good at it? Cultural journalists vs. entertainment news. Site Visit: Julian Lennon at Leica Gallery. As homework, students should also watch a few documentary films about Prague’s cultural history and its uniqueness |
2. Mysterious Prague
Sep 9, 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: Italian Cultural Institute or TBA |
3. Contemporary Art Scene
Sep 16
Topic: Contemporary Czech Art Site Visit: Botanical Garden at Albertov |
4. Czech Press Photos
Sep 23
Topic: Press Photography Description: Czech Press Photos 2026 Site visit: Czech Press Photos at National Museum |
5. Film History Museum in Prague
Sep 30
Na Film - visit to student-run Czech film history museum |
6. Film Reviews - or Design Blok
Oct 7
Topic: Film Reviews The classics to contemporary |
7. Music Journalism I & Contemporary Photography
Oct 14
Music Journalism I Terra Incognita at Prague City Gallery - House of Photography |
8. Music Journalism & back to Contemporay Art : Annette Messager
Oct 21
Music Journalism pt. 2 & International Contemporary Art Site Visit: Annette Messager at Kunsthalle, Prague |
9. Mid-Term break
Oct 28
Topic: There is no meeting on this date due to our Midterm Break |
10. Dox Centre for Contemporary Art
Nov 4
Topic: contemporary art & music Description: "Argus & Medusa: On Hope in Bad Times" & "David Tibet-Halucinate Children" Site Visit: DOX Centre for Contemporary Art |
11. Press Play Prague
Nov 11
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 |
12. Prague Press Play - Pt. 2 (festival visit)
Nov 18
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 |
13. Summarizing Prague's Cultural Scene
Nov 25
Topic: Summarizing Prague’s Cultural Scene Description: Final excursion, visiting sites for the final article/assignment |
14. Wrap-up.
Dec 2
Last group meeting, and second-half of the final exam session with site visits. |
15. Happy Holidays
Dec 9
There is no meeting on the week of final exams. Happy Holidays after your finals. |