ZURb1632 How to be a successful freelance interviewer for media, podcasts and companies

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Ing. Rudolf Burgr, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Veronika Perková (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Ing. Rudolf Burgr, Ph.D.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Boris Rafailov, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 21. 2. 8:00–11:40 U23, Wed 6. 3. 8:00–11:40 U23, Wed 20. 3. 8:00–11:40 U23, Wed 3. 4. 8:00–11:40 U23, Wed 17. 4. 8:00–11:40 U23, Wed 15. 5. 8:00–11:40 U23
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 6/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives (in Czech)
The goal of this course is to teach students the basics of networking, pitching and conducting of interviews for media, podcasts and companies.
Learning outcomes (in Czech)
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- conduct interviews;
- create a network of contacts in journalism;
- write a compelling pitch to media;
- start a podcast;
- launch a copywriting business.
Syllabus (in Czech)
  • (1) RESEARCH
  • Lecture + workshop: How to find and contact interesting interviewees and how to build ties with editors.
  • (2) INTERVIEWS
  • Lecture: How to conduct great interviews.
  • Workshop: Discussion with Canadian podcaster Nandita Bajaj (in the negotiation) about how to have a successful podcast.
  • (3) PITCHING
  • Lecture: How to successfully offer an article to the media (pitch).
  • Workshop: A discussion with American editor Andrea Thompson (Scientific American) about how to write a good pitch.
  • (4) CONSULTATION
  • Lecture + workshop: Consultation of the first interview and classroom interview activities.
  • (5) SOLUTIONS JOURNALISM
  • Lecture: How to write articles that have a positive impact on society: solutions journalism.
  • Workshop: Discussion with the editor of YES! Magazine by Breanna Draxler (in the negotiation) about solutions journalism.
  • (6) COPYWRITING
  • Lecture: Consultation of the second interview.
  • Discussion with Chloé Skye Weiser on how to make a living as a journalist and copywriter.
Literature
  • This course is based on practical know-how and does not require students to read primary or secondary literature.
Teaching methods (in Czech)
Lecture, discussion, classroom activities, writing an interview, analysis of other people‘s interviews.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
To successfully complete the course, it is necessary to submit two interviews (3,600 characters/2 standard pages). Both interviews must be submitted by the deadlines specified by the teacher.
Once submitted, the interviews will be made available to all participants and students will have one week to analyze each interview in terms of form, content and quality of questions. Students will bring the printed interview with their comments to the following class (3rd and 6th).
Another requirement is to successfully complete two homeworks, namely to prepare a research of contacts for media editors, journalists, researchers and policy-makers (more details will be provided in the class).
Students are also expected to prepare two questions for each guest and ask them in the workshop.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2024, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2024/ZURb1632