COMM 3050 - Advanced Media Writing About Cultural, Social, and Environmental Crises

(CA-AG, WRT-AG) (CU-CEL)

Fall, Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: an A- or better in COMM 2310 or equivalent course, experience with media writing and/or strong writing skills.

N. Andrievskikh.

This advance writing course will tackle today’s top cultural issues, such as climate change, social justice, social media, political extremism and others, with the ultimate goal of student publication. Students will first research a media market of their choice, preferably their home market, and then create compelling media content for identified local or regional media outlets. The media content will focus on the local or regional impacts of national or global cultural crises to highlight the impact on communities. A hoped-for, but not required, outcome of the course is for students to get one piece published in their target market. Students must have strong writing skills, be self-disciplined about making deadlines, be proactive and have an interest in publishing. Advanced media writing, op-editorial, and creative non-fiction will be covered.

Outcome 1: Hone project-management skills through conception, research, writing, and publication with short deadlines.

Outcome 2: Conduct effective interviews.

Outcome 3: Develop proficient editing skills by evaluating and editing their work and others.

Outcome 4: Apply communication research to create compelling content.

Outcome 5: Create publishable content in popular media formats for mass-market consumption.