ITALY
Italy in Motion II

Unique opportunity to experience hands on work combining the different elements of broadcast journalism in an international setting.

 

Program Information

This program allows students to take both BCOM 481 and BCOM 368 simultaneously, and in conjunction with CIN 483 through American University of Rome. Contact the Study Abroad and Global Learning Offices to learn more about that course.

Anticipated Learning Outcomes

• This program will introduce students to a basic pre-production, production and post-production model of video reporting and writing for broadcast and WEB distribution
• Gain experience in the pre-production set up, including the mapping out of daily activities, clearance for access to locations, scheduling of interviews and other logistical anticipations.
• Learn how to professionally shoot video for a news story, correctly setup an interview with proper lighting and sound.

Eligibility

The Program Leaders may determine other eligibility requirements, but at a minimum, all applicants need to meet these requirements:

• Current WKU student eligible to register for WKU courses.
• 3.2 cumulative GPA or good standing in the Honors College (honors sections only)
• Permission of instructor(s).
• Preference given to Juniors and Seniors in BCOM
• Good academic standing (Undergraduate Catalog p.27; Graduate Catalog p.30).
• 18 years of age or older at time of departure (parent/guardian permission for anyone under 18 at time of departure).
• Possess passport valid for at least six (6) months after FLSA return date.
• No current disciplinary sanctions as verified by Judicial Affairs.
• Full payment prior to departure.
• Completion of all pre-departure orientation.
• Complete the Study Abroad & Global Learning application process on TopNet prior to being registered in this course. We suggest you start this application process immediately and respond to all emails promptly.

Requirements and Expectations

As this course is intended to provide the student with a real world experience on how to gather and prepare news stories, it will be required of the student to participate in and provide content for the student run newscast. Students must be curious and professional at all times as they will be working independent from program leaders and acting as cultural ambassadors of WKU.

Program Package

Program Includes:

• Summer tuition for 3 or 6 credit hours ($1,059 value for resident undergraduates – see details of tuition value).
• Round-trip airfare for group flight that originates and returns to Nashville.
• Accommodations in Rome (not hotel during excursions) .
• Local transportation to and from the airport in Italy.
• International medical insurance.

Program does not include: 

• Transportation from home to the U.S. departure airport /return from airport to your home.
• Tips and personal expenses.
• Cost of all additional travel including optional excursion, group excursions, and personal travel.
• Accomodations during excursions.

* Final program fee subject to change due to travel arrangements. 

Logistical Considerations

• International travel requires all participants to have a valid passport. If you don't have a passport, get one immediately.
• This program will also include a fair amount of walking in a metropolitan area. Proper shoes and attire are required. 
• This program has a 3 or 6 credit option.  Program costs cover only the 3 credit option.  If students wish to participate in the 6 credit option there is an additional charge of $553.

 

Planned Itinerary*

May 25	Leave for Rome from Nashville
May 26	Arrive Rome, move into flats and do neighborhood walk-around w/Project Assistant
May 27	AUR Arrival Days. We visit AUR campus, visit Trestevere area.
May 28	AUR Arrival Day. Visit Campus and Trestevere area.
May 29	Mandatory Orientation activities for AUR ( assign coverage)
May 30	Classes start. Morning equipment review at AUR Lecture video acquisition
May 31	Rome Forum/Coliseum/Palatine tour
June 1	Republic Day, National Italian Holiday, (Assign coverage, 2 groups)
June 2	Porta Portese: (assign 1 coverage group).
June 3	Morning class at AUR, review video coverage assignments
June 4	Area Sacra visit, cat sanctuary, Milvian Bridge
June 5	Vatican tour, Museum, St. Peters
June 6	Video review, strategy story session. Leave for Capri via train to Naples.
June 7	Capri, Blue grotto, Visit Pompeii, Herculanium, voluntary climb of Mt. Vesuvius.
June 8	Herculanium, voluntary climb of Mt. Vesuvius.
June 9	Return to Rome ( afternoon, evening open to update blogs)
June 10	Morning class, review video, story strategies. Afternoon story search.
June 11	Tour; Spanish steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain.
June 12	Visit CNN-Rome Bureau (morning); Visit AP Rome bureau (afternoon)
June 13	Morning class, review video and packages. Afternoon open story search
June 14	Train to Florence-day trip ( assign coverage) Return to Rome
June 15	Optional visits to Catacomb St. Calixtus, Quo Vadis church
June 16	Optional Ostia ancient port visit
June 17	Morning class, review video of weekend assignments,
June 18	Day trip, Pisa. This is an early morning departure
June 19	Cinecitta tour with video coverage.
June 20	Morning class update story strategies. Depart for optional excursions; Palermo, Sicily, or Venice. (Those staying in Rome have enterprise story options assigned.
June 21	Optional excursions
June 22	Optional excursions
June 23	Return from Optional excursions
June 24	Morning class; review video (afternoon open story search)
June 25	Enterprise story ( coverage assigned) group evening dinner in Theater of Pompey.
June 26	Last class day… begin packing for departure. ( this date is tentative as we may depart on Wednesday, 6/26 instead of Thursday, 6/27 for the US.
June 27	Return to US

* subject to change

 

Contact us to learn more.