ENG 195-03 - Introductory Special Topic: Just Following Up: An Introduction to Freelance Journalism

2 credits (Spring Term 2)

Journalism isn’t dying, but the newsroom might be. Employment at U.S. newspapers has dropped by nearly half since 2008; luckily, that isn’t the only career path available to journalists. Freelance journalists find their own stories, set their own hours and work from wherever they want. Of course, they also have to file quarterly taxes, chase down late payments, and be their own best (and sometimes only) advocate. This course will cover the practicalities of freelancing, from how to identify stories to building a platform on social media, as well as how to use those tools to build a more ethical, diverse and sustainable future for the profession. It’s an overview of everything you’ll need to start out as a freelance journalist–other than the writing part. This course is sponsored by the Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership.

Prerequisite: None.
Instructor: Staff