The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), and its partner organization in the Caucasus -- the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) are currently accepting applications from prospective class of 2007 students for a two-year Master's-level certificate program at the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management. The language of instruction is English.
The overall goal of the graduate-level program is to strengthen the role of independent media in the emerging democratic societies of the Caucasus. Up to 23 students (from Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia), competitively selected by a committee, are trained to assume news and management positions at independent newspapers, news agencies and broadcast outlets after graduation.
The program will be offered in from October 2005 to May 2007. Tuition is required. Students from regions outside Tbilisi, Baku and Yerevan may apply to receive scholarships.
Curriculum. The intensive and full-time course program provides hands-on, practical training in basic journalism skills using the latest techniques of fact-based, professional reporting and writing for both print and broadcast media. In addition, courses are offered in journalism ethics, the role of media in a democratic society and computer assisted reporting. There is also an emphasis on management techniques and key knowledge fields such as economics and the judiciary. Courses in specialized fields are also offered. Texts and training materials relevant to the Georgian, Azeri and Armenian context are provided. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a computer lab, photo, radio and TV cameras and broadcast editing bays, high-speed Internet, and a journalism library. Students produce radio and TV newscasts and documentaries, photo reportages, magazines, and the Brosse Street Journal, a student newspaper in print and the electronic versions ( www.bsj.ge).
Areas covered in the 20-month curriculum include:
- Principles of journalism
- Reporting and writing
- Professional standards and ethics of journalism
- Computer-assisted reporting
- Design, publication and photo journalism
- Web reporting
- Business, courts and legal, election and political, energy, utilities and environmental reporting
- Television production theory and practice
- Radio fundamentals
- Media management
- Role of advertising
- Economics
- Intensive English-language training
- Computer training
- Writing in English and Georgian
Faculty. The core faculty consists of experienced U.S. print and broadcast journalists who provide practical professional training in a classroom environment, supplemented by closely supervised student projects, case study analysis and hands-on experience. The U.S. faculty is supplemented by local faculty and experts.
Venue. The core program is carried out at GIPA, located conveniently at Brosse Street in downtown Tbilisi. It provides classrooms, computers with Internet access, faculty workspace and administrative support facilities.
Student Newspaper. To provide adequate opportunities for hands-on experience, the program requires students to contribute to Brosse Street Journal (www.bsj.ge), a student-run newspaper that serves as an outlet for students to publish articles and experience the challenges of managing an actual publication. A system of working internships at local, regional and international media outlets is also in place.
Project Partners and Donors. The journalism faculty and curriculum for the school is provided by the International Center for Journalists, a Washington-based journalism organization, with the cooperation of Louisiana State University Manship School of Mass Communication and Ecole superieur de journalisme de Lille. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State, with supplementary funding from the Open Society Institute. The Embassies of Great Britain, Poland and France in Georgia provide in-kind contribution.
School Calendar. Students are selected in June (in Georgia) and September (in Azerbaijan and Armenia). Successful applicants will start their program in Tbilisi (GIPA), as well as partner institutions in Baku and Yerevan in October before meeting at GIPA for a joint 11-month core program at GIPA in January 2006. The initial three-month in-country program consists of intensive English-language training, coupled with basic English writing and journalism classes.
Student Recruitment and Selection. Students will come from a wide range of disciplines. Applicants should hold bachelor's or master's level diplomas. The key criteria for selection will be a desire to practice print or broadcast journalism in accordance with the highest internationally recognized standards of professionalism. English proficiency will be required and applicants will be tested. A selection committee will interview and select a maximum of 13 students from Georgia and five each from Azerbaijan and Armenia. Tuition is $500 per year. Financial aid for relocation costs, tuition, housing and living costs in Tbilisi is available.
Entrance tests:
- English language tests (valid TOEFL score accepted)
- 300-word essay in native language
- Interview with selection committee
English language testing (TOEFL) and interviews with admissions committees will take place in Tbilisi, Baku and Yerevan between June-September 2005.
Applicants must have:
- Undergraduate (bachelor’s) or graduate (master’s) degree from accredited university
- Strong English proficiency
- Commitment to study for a full 20-month term
- Commitment to seek a career in journalism
- Previous training or education in journalism not required, but preferred
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