International Reporting

Columbia University School of Journalism

INTERNATIONAL REPORTING - FALL 2009

Course U8753.001

Thursdays, 7:10 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

902 International Affairs Building

SPECIFIC INFORMATION BELOW ON CLASS TOPICS, READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE COURSE OR WHO HAVE QUESTIONS ON ENROLLMENT ARE URGED TO CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR AT tjk17@columbia.edu

This course is a guide to the work of foreign correspondents. It is aimed not only at students who seek a career in journalism, but at those who seek to understand how foreign correspondents work, how to work with them and how to get the most out of their coverage.

Lectures and discussions present the principles, ethics, tradecraft, technology and dangers of international news reporting. One component of the course emphasizes past and present coverage of Russia and its neighbors, but the course deals with news coverage worldwide as well.

The course consists of 13 two-hour sessions, each with readings. By the Sunday night before each class, students should e-mail the instructor a note of 200-300 words commenting on the readings (one reading or several), and/or suggesting discussion points for the coming class.

Some classes may begin with a discussion of news media coverage of a current international story. Students will be given the topic in advance and should bring examples and opinions to class.

There will be two written assignments (or, for those students so preferring, one written assignment and a final exam). In grading students' performance, substantial emphasis will be placed on the Sunday night e-mails and participation in class discussion, as well as the papers and/or exam.

Attendance is expected at all class sessions. If special circumstances affect your class attendance or delay the submission of papers, you must advise the instructor by e-mail, with an explanation of the reason. (You can mention it verbally, too, but e-mail is the official and required notification.) Your explanation may be reviewed by the Dean's Office.

Mr. Kent is a deputy managing editor of The Associated Press. He is responsible for the Supervisory Desk that coordinates AP's news report on all its platforms: text, photos, graphics, broadcast and the Internet. He designed AP 's new multimedia headquarters Hedesigned the agency's new multimedia headquarters in New York and is closely involved in AP's new media operations. He served with the AP as correspondent in Sydney, Australia; correspondent for NATO and the European Union in Brussels; correspondent and bureau chief in Moscow; chief of AP operations in Iran during the Iranian revolution; deputy news editor and news editor of AP's World Service Division in New York; and international editor of the AP. He has served twice as a juror for the Pulitzer Prizes in international reporting, and has been a board member of the Overseas Press Club of New York. He was raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio, holds a degree in Russian and East European Studies from Yale University and speaks Russian, French and Spanish. He has taught at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism since 1996, and since 2001 at the Harriman Institute of Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs.