JRN 230 Travel Writing

This course is intended as an introduction to travel writing and aims to teach students how to find story ideas, identify places of interest and write about them in a way that is new and fresh. Most of the course will be spent in classroom, but there may also be a few field trips. Students will be required to submit one long-form writing assignments in lieu of a final exam, as well as frequent smaller writing assignments. The course will focus on the practical rather than the theoretical. Students will be required to bring laptops to class as many classes will feature in-class writing and feedback. Students will also learn how to 'pitch' travel stories to publications, and, ideally, to get their ideas published to generate valuable clips for their portfolios. This course is a hands-on workshop, where students learn the basics of what it entails to make it as a travel writer today and are expected to produce articles. A focus on good reporting and writing basics will underline the course and active participation is essential. Assigned readings will form the basis of class discussion.