Feature & Magazine Writing (424-0-21)

Instructors

Steven William Thrasher

Meeting Info

Meets in Non-General PurposeRm: Mon 10:30AM - 1:20PM

Overview of class

Building from a base of strong reporting, students will learn how to craft in-depth narrative stories. The class is two-pronged: careful study of outstanding feature stories and work on writing, reporting, and analytic skills. In the end, each student will produce their own substantial story suitable for publication. The course aims to encourage writing that is clear, graceful, and efficient. Students will also learn how to pitch stories and find suitable outlets for publication. Because virtually all media demand good narrative technique, the course is appropriate for students who are pursuing magazine, news reporting, documentary film, investigative, reported opinion, audio and interactive skills. Drawing on his own experience reporting feature stories for BuzzFeed, Scientific American and the Guardian that he used in writing his forthcoming book The Viral Underclass, the instructor, Dr. Thrasher, will teach readings and feature writing techniques which center and engage critical theory, LGBTQ journalism, social science, social justice, public health scholarship, the law, writers of color, audio, and literary journalism.

Class Materials (Required)

Though most readings will be available online for free, students should purchase The View From Somewhere: Undoing the Myth of Journalistic Objectivity by Lewis Raven Wallace ($15); Before Night Falls by Reinaldo Arenas ($15); Queer Love in Color ($24): and If God Is a Virus by Seema Yasmin, $11. Total: $65. All other texts will be provided via online links or PDFs for free.

Class Attributes

Attendance at 1st class mandatory