Morocco: Field Studies in Journalism and New Media

"SIT's Field Studies in Journalism and New Media program has been a life-learning experience I will never forget. The program takes the focused, hard-working aspiring journalist and molds them into an independent foreign correspondent ready to tackle complex issues and write amazing stories. Even as a public relations major, I have learned so much about Morocco and gained a deep insight into a journalist's life."

Antinnea Skipwith, Temple University

Advance your skills in journalism, media, and communications by studying under the expert guidance of Round Earth Media and other seasoned journalists in an international environment. Learn from Moroccan scholars in the humanities and social sciences.

Mary Stucky, academic director, describes some unique program
elements and the state of journalism today.

This newly-launched program provides students an exciting opportunity to enhance their professional reporting skills under the supervision of veteran journalists. Based in the bustling capital of Rabat, students will engage in ongoing reporting assignments, team reporting, and peer editing to create the flavor of a working newsroom. Instruction will accommodate work in students’ preferred media format – print, video, audio, photography, and/or multimedia. Students will learn from leading Moroccan scholars and academics about all aspects of Moroccan society, politics, and cultures.

The focus of the program will be on gathering, analyzing, and crafting a major feature story, which has the possibility of being placed in a US media outlet. This program will briefly review the basics of doing journalism but is primarily an opportunity for students to practice doing journalism in the field in a different cultural context. Students from a variety of majors are encouraged to apply. Excellent writing ability and a strong interest in journalism are essential.

The program is being run in partnership with Mary Stucky, co-founder of and lead journalist at Round Earth Media, one of the most successful and highly respected news organizations in media today. Mary Stucky has vast experience mentoring young, independent reporters. Students will receive hands-on mentorship from Round Earth Media reporters, as well as prominent Moroccan journalists.

Student feature stories—produced during the program’s Independent Study period—will be considered for publication (print, broadcast, or online) under the student’s byline. Students with intermediate high or advanced French or Arabic may be able to submit their stories to Moroccan media outlets in the target language.

The curriculum focuses on critical methodologies necessary for journalism and communications careers, such as:

Identifying original stories and determining newsworthiness
Conducting interviews in an unfamiliar country and culture
Researching topics
Finding sources and gaining their trust
Utilizing technology in remote locations

While focusing on their journalism coursework, students will experience Moroccan culture and daily life. Students will live with local host families; study Arabic or advanced French; and interact with Moroccan peers.

Learn from veteran professionals affiliated with Round Earth Media
Based in the United States, Round Earth Media works with seasoned and early-career journalists to produce stories from around the globe. Round Earth Media has built its reputation on covering underreported issues in areas that the mainstream media no longer has the resources or inclination to cover. Round Earth Media places those stories in widely diverse media markets, including the country in which the story originated. SIT’s partnership with Mary Stucky of Round Earth Media makes the Morocco semester unique among journalism programs worldwide. Read more about the program on Mary Stucky’s blog.

Published pieces by spring 2012 students include:

The New York Times. “On the Run in the Sahara, for 153 Miles”
Jacqueline Kantor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (text); Kristen Marie Kortebein, University of Michigan Ann Arbor (photos)
GlobalPost. “Moroccan women build land rights movement”
Stacy Nicole Wheeler, Scripps College (text)
GlobalPost. “Lesbians in Morocco: Should we stay or should we go?”
Marie von Hafften, Whitman College (text)
Outside Magazine. “The Marathon des Sables”
Kirsten Marie Kortebein, University of Michigan Ann Arbor (photos)
Runners World. “2012 Marathon des Sables Endurance Race”
Kirsten Marie Kortebein, University of Michigan Ann Arbor (photos); Jacqueline Kantor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (text)