2200007 - Equine Journalism
Course Description
Equine Journalism provides the necessary tools, techniques, and knowledge to help you develop compelling content suitable for publishing in both mainstream and equine journalism outlets. Publishers/editors seek writers and producers who can create superior content for a variety of audiences.
This course has been designed as a journey that starts with understanding the media environment and its needs, developing a story idea through research, interviewing, and data analysis, writing and/or producing the piece, revising/editing, and finally pitching and negotiating a contract. You will learn how to self-edit, understand contracts and copyright rules, and how to prepare a full multimedia package for your story. We’ll also talk about launching and running a freelance business and using your equine knowledge to position yourself as a columnist or expert.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Consider journalism ethics as it applies to the equine publishing industry and your role as a writer/producer of content and stories.
- Apply best practices for research, data use and interviewing techniques to develop a compelling story idea.
- Write or produce a piece (article, podcast or video) using storytelling techniques.
- Revise and polish a piece (article, podcast or video) for publication with recognition and copyright requirements.
- Recognize the different types of media platforms and develop your story idea to be delivered to audiences across multiple platforms.
- Describe the importance of visual journalism in today's multimedia environment and produce original visual materials to complement your piece.
- Identify different story pitching techniques and develop a professional pitch directed to a publisher.
- Interact with publishers and interpret a contributor's contract.
- Recognize the tenets of professionalism and apply them to your equine journalism career.
Course Topics
- The professional equine journalist
- Basic media literacy
- Developing story ideas
- Producing content for specific audiences
- Research methods
- Interviewing techniques
- Storytelling
- Storytelling in Science writing
- Visual storytelling and photojournalism
- Revision process
- Polishing your final piece
- Freelancing
- Final project showcase
Sample Careers
Equine Journalism is designed for anyone producing content in the equine industry and those interested in developing skills in storytelling, writing and digital communication (photography, video, podcasts) in the equine industry.
Additional Requirements
- This course is intended for adult learners who are at least 18 years of age.
- There are no prerequisites for this course.
- You may take this as an individual course or choose to complete one of our equine certificates or the diploma.
- You do not need access to a horse or facility to participate and be successful in this course.
- You can expect to spend 6-10 hours per week to complete the course material, activities, discussions and assignments.
Assessment
| Participation and Discussion | 20% | Engaging in weekly activities and discussion. |
| Critique | 20% | Feedback on story idea, outline and draft with instructor and peers |
| Individual Project | 50% | Step-by-step completion of a publishable piece (article, video, podcast). |
| Showcase | 10% | Final presentation of your piece (article, video, podcast). |
Sponsors
Equine Guelph
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Diploma in Equine Studies : Electives
- Certificate in Equine Business Management : Electives
Technical Requirements
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*Course details are subject to change.