International Journalism
Code: 103085Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Journalism | OP | 3 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Agus Morales Puga
- Email :
- agus.morales@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Álvaro Laforet Vives
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
Students must be able to write and talk in their native tongues and must be able to work in English. They should also master the writing of different journalistic genres with professional spelling and a narrative and analytical vision.
Initiative and autonomy are required, as well as being up to date with current international affairs.
Interest in international relations, conflicts and global politics is valued, as well as a focus on cultural, and human rights issues, along with a willingness to implement innovative tools to journalistic practice.
Objectives
The era of permanent foreign correspondents working for major media outlets has come to an end, but in this new age it is still possible to do international journalism independently, working for several media organizations and through long-term projects. The course in International Journalism offers both theoretical and practical knowledge and tools to practice the profession independently — as a freelancer, contributing to different media outlets, by participating in long-term projects, or by joining the international news section of media organizations.
Without nostalgia for the past, the course provides highly practical content, grounded in professional experience, for practicing journalism in today’s context. It also offers tools to understand and critically analyze cross-cutting and global issues, with particular emphasis on geographical and thematic areas beyond the West.
Objectives
- To understand the historical moment of journalism and become aware of the responsibilities and opportunities it entails (new forms of foreign correspondent work, trips and assignments, freelance journalism, etc.)
- To acquire knowledge of conflicts and the sociopolitical context of various regions and countries around the world.
- To develop a journalistic vision of the times we live in, especially since 9/11, and to identify the key issues and players in geopolitics.
- To implement new tools and narratives that contribute to an international journalism away from hegemonic thinking, especially in the fields of human rights and migration.
- To become familiar with and understand the agendas of countries, political blocs, armed groups, and all types of international and local players, especially when it comes to field reporting.
Learning outcomes
- CM08 (Assess the role of journalism in defending freedom of expression and transparency in democratic processes, and design news strategies to combat disinformation and foster critical thinking in society.) Assess the role of journalism in defending freedom of expression and transparency in democratic processes, and design news strategies to combat disinformation and foster critical thinking in society.
- CM09 (Propose journalistic narratives that foster gender equity, respect for diversity, the integrity of sexual freedom and egalitarian gender representation in the public sphere.) Propose journalistic narratives that foster gender equity, respect for diversity, the integrity of sexual freedom and egalitarian gender representation in the public sphere.
- KM10 (Define the foundations of political, international and local journalism and highlight their purposes in democracy.) Define the foundations of political, international and local journalism and highlight their purposes in democracy.
- SM09 (Use information sources, journalistic investigation techniques and documentation processes appropriately when covering political, social and scientific topics.) Use information sources, journalistic investigation techniques and documentation processes appropriately when covering political, social and scientific topics.
- SM10 (Produce journalistic news on political and social issues, and ensure a balanced perspective based on data and the rigour of the journalistic news.) Produce journalistic news on political and social issues, and ensure a balanced perspective based on data and the rigour of the journalistic news.
- SM11 (Determine the media’s responsibility in representing vulnerable groups and minorities in the political, social and scientific news.) Determine the media’s responsibility in representing vulnerable groups and minorities in the political, social and scientific news.
Contents
Syllabus
- The practice of international journalism. Foreign correspondents, freelance journalism, and new models — from the newsrooms and, especially, from the field. Opportunities and limitations. The role of photography and documentaries. Special assignments. Long-term projects. How to work as an independent journalist. How to pitch a story to media outlets. Scholarships, internships, resources, and funding opportunities for journalists specializing in international reporting.
- A world without refuge. Analysis of global population movements, particularly in relation to conflicts. Deconstruction of journalistic language around the concept of refuge. Border externalization strategies. Implementation of this knowledge to journalistic writing, data and human stories. Introduction to journalism focused on human rights.
- The world after 9/11. Global and journalistic implications of the so-called war on terror. From Al-Qaeda to the Islamic State: a historical overview. Afghanistan (and Pakistan), Iraq, Syria. Historical overview of the evolution of U.S. foreign policy. Implementation of this knowledge to current political analysis.
- Israel’s total war in the Middle East. Gaza, Iran, Syria. International humanitarian law, crimes against humanity, human rights violations. The role of journalism. Implementation of this knowledge to journalistic practice.
- War journalism and peace journalism. Hegemonic narratives and tools to build alternative discourses. Investigation, data analysis, content verification, and the production of journalistic pieces in the field of international reporting.
The order of the topics may vary depending on the final course planning. A detailed calendar with the content of each session will be presented on the first day of the course and published on the Campus Virtual.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures and guest presentations. | 9 | 0.36 | CM08, CM09, KM10 |
| Tutoring | 6 | 0.24 | KM10 |
| Seminars and practical activities. | 13 | 0.52 | SM09, SM10 |
| Search, selection and reading of bibliography and other resources. Personal study. Planning and individual work / teamwork. | 32 | 1.28 | KM10, SM09, SM11 |
The teaching methodology of the course combines different sessions of oral explanations, presentations of theoretical content and professional experiences, case studies and debates, as well as participative seminars/workshops and practical work sessions in a computerised classroom.
The main principle is to establish and share a common knowledge base so that, during the course, students can deepen the aspects they prioritise and apply them to the topics that interest them most.
All the information necessary to follow the course will be provided by the teaching team in classes, tutorial meetings and/or via the Virtual Campus.
A detailed schedule outlining the content of each session will be presented on the first day of the course and will be available on the course’s Virtual Campus, where students will find the various teaching materials deemed appropriate by the instructors and necessary information for effective course monitoring.
For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted in some seminars and practical activities.The exact conditions in which this will be allowed will be established and explained in these activites. In any case, students must clearly identify any parts generated with these technologies, specify the tools used, and include a critical reffection on how AI has inffuenced the process and final outcome of the assignment. Some activities will also be carried out without AI at all. Failure to disclose the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total penalty to the assignment grade, or more serious sanctions insevere cases.
Any student suspected of submitting assignments that have been generated by AI, written by others or copied; include unattributed AI-generated content, or fall outside the permitted scope, may be asked to provide the preliminary work or other materials that can demonstrate it is original work and the result of their own authorship. They may also be asked to separately explain or justify their work. Teachers may also use AI detection systems or carry out any verification tasks they deem appropriate. If, after review, the instructor detects irregularities, the assignment may be graded zero, and the student may be subject to further disciplinary action.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C) Attendance and active participation in class | 20% | 24 | 0.96 | CM08, CM09, KM10 |
| A) Practical assignments | 45% | 36 | 1.44 | SM10, SM11 |
| B) Final Coursework | 35% | 30 | 1.2 | SM09 |
This subject has a continuous and summative evaluation system. The final mark for the course will be the sum of the scores obtained in the following evaluation activities:
A) Practical assignments: 45 points (3 assignments, 45% of the final mark);
B) Final project: 35 points (35% of the final mark);
C) Attendance and active participation in class: 20 points (20% of the final mark).
Total: 100 points (equivalent to a final mark of 10).
To pass the subject, it is necessary to:
a) Carry out and submit all assignments (A and B). In case of absence due to justified force majeure reasons, the documentation must be submitted to the teachers; otherwise, the activities will be considered Not Completed.
b) Obtain a minimum total score of 50 points (equivalent to a mark of 5) across all completed assignments.
c) In any group activity, the teachers may implement control measures to verify the level of participation and involvement of each member in the collective work. Therefore, marks may vary among members of the same group.
Reevaluation
In order for any student to be eligible for reevaluation, they must have completed ⅔ of the assignments.
Second enrollment
In the case of second enrollment, students may take a single comprehensive exam covering the entire syllabus of the course. The mark of the subject will correspond to the mark obtained on this exam.
Plagiarism
Any student committing irregularities (copying, plagiarism, identity fraud, use of AI outside the teaching specifications) will get a 0 for that assessment. If more than one irregularity occurs, the final mark for the subject will be 0.
This course does not provide for a single-assessment system.
Bibliography
Periodisme internacional
Aldekoa, Xavier. Indestructibles. Península, 2019
Aldekoa, Xavier. Océano África. Península, 2014.
Álvarez, Carlos Manuel: Los intrusos. Anagrama, 2022.
Applebaum, Anne: Hambruna roja. Debate, 2021.
Baró, Mónica: “La sangre nunca fue amarilla”. En Periodismo de Barrio. https://periodismodebarrio.org/2019/02/la-sangre-nunca-fue-amarilla/
Brum, Eliane: La Amazonía: Viaje al centro del mundo. Salamandra, 2024.
Caparrós, Martín: El Hambre. Anagrama, 2015.
Caparrós, Martín. Larga distancia. Malpaso, 2017.
Fallaci, Oriana: Entrevista con la historia.
Guerriero, Leila; Izagirre, Ander: En el fondo la forma. Barcelona: 5W, 2022.
Guerriero, Leila: La llamada. Anagrama, 2024.
Hameida, Ebbaba: Flores de papel. Península, 2025.
Kapuscinski, Ryszard: Toda su obra.
Ki Zerbo, Joseph: Historia del África Negra. Bellaterra Edicions, 2011.
Lecumberri, Beatriz. La revolución sentimental. Viaje periodístico por
la Venezuela de Chávez. Ediciones Puntocero (ebook). 2016.
Marginedas, Marc: Rusia contra el mundo. Península, 2025.
Meredith, Martin: África. Una historia de 50 años de independencia. Fundación Intermón Oxfam, 2011.
Politkovskaya, Anna: La Rusia de Putin. Debate, 2005.
Poniatowksa, Elena: Tinísima.
Ressa, Maria: Cómo luchar contra un dictador. Península, 2023.
Roy, Arundhati: My Seditious Heart. Haymarket, 2019.
Simón, Patricia: Miedo. Viaje por un mundo que se resiste a ser gobernado por el odio. Debate, 2022.
Torres, Maruja; G. Prieto, Mónica: Contarlo para no olvidar. Barcelona: 5W, 2017.
Wa Thiongo, Ngugi: Desplazar el centro. Rayo Verde, 2025.
Zárate, Joseph: “Un niño manchado de petróleo”. En Revista 5W. https://www.revista5w.com/temas/planeta/un-nino-manchado-de-petroleo-7611
Un món sense refugi
Bah, Ibrahim: Tres días en la arena. La imprenta, 2021.
Boochani, Behrouz: Sin más amigos que las montañas. Rayo Verde, 2020.
Hayden, Sally: Cuando lo intenté por cuarta vez, nos abogamos. Capitán Swing, 2024.
Martínez, Óscar: Los migrantes que no importan. Pepitas, 2018.
Morales, Agus: La hipocresía solidaria. Folch&Folch, 2025.
Morales, Agus. No somos refugiados. Círculo de Tiza. 2024.
Paone, Mariangela. Rezwana. Un expediente europeo. Libros del K.O., 2023.
Parra, Mónica: Migrar y resistir. Descontrol, 2021.
Truax, Eileen: Dreamers, la lucha de una generación por su sueño americano. Edit Océano de México, 2013.
Truax, Eileen: El muro que ya existe. Harpercollins, 2020.
Umar, Ousman: Viaje al país de los blancos. Plaza&Janés, 2019.
El món després de l’11-S
Ayestaran, Mikel; Lobo, Ramón: Guerras de ayer y de hoy. Barcelona: 5W, 2016.
Ayestaran, Mikel: Las cenizas del califato. Península, 2018.
Espinosa, Javier; G. Prieto, Mónica: La semilla del odio. Debate, 2017. I Siria, el país de las almas rotas. Debate, 2016.
Rashid, Ahmed: The Taliban.
Satrapi, Marjane: Mujer Vida Libertad. Reservoir Books, 2023.
Weiss, Michael; Hassan, Hassan: ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror.
Woodward, Bob: Obama’s Wars.
La guerra total d’Israel a l’Orient Mitjà i dret internacional humanitari
Arendt, Hannah: Eichmann en Jerusalén.
Ayestaran, Mikel: Historias de Gaza. Península, 2025.
Ayestaran, Mikel: Oriente Medio, Oriente roto. Península.
Feixas Torras, Txell. Dones valentes: lluites femenines i feministes a l'Orient Mitjà. Ara Llibres, 2020.
García Gascón, Eugenio. La cárcel identitaria: dietario de Jerusalén. Libros del K.O., 2013.
Khalidi, Rashid: Palestina. Cien años de colonialismo y resistencia. Capitán Swing, 2023.
Mas, Cristina: Palestina des de dins. Ara Llibres, 2025.
Sacco, Joe: Palestina. Planeta Cómic, 2015.
Sands, Philippe: Calle Este-Oeste. Anagrama, 2017.
Thrall, Nathan: Un día en la vida de Abed Salama.
Periodisme de guerra i periodisme de pau
Aleksiévich, Svetlana: La guerra no tiene rostro de mujer. Debate, 2015.
Arce, Alberto: Novato en nota roja: corresponsal en Tegucigalpa. Libros del K.O., 2015.
Espinosa, Ángeles: El reino del desierto. Aguilar, 2006
Feixas, Txell: Aliadas. Capitan Swing, 2025.
Garcia-Planas, Plàcid (2007). La Revancha del reportero: tras las huellas de siete grandes corresponsales de guerra. Diëresis.
Heft, Annett (2021). “Transnational Journalism Networks ‘From Below’. Cross-Border Journalistic Collaboration in Individualized Newswork”. Journalism Studies, 22 (4), 454-474. https://doi-org.are.uab.cat/10.1080/1461670X.2021.1882876
Leguineche, Manuel & Sánchez, Gervasio (eds.) (2001). Los ojos de la guerra. Plaza & Janés.
Lobo, Ramon. El autoestopista de Grozni y otras historias de fútbol y guerra. Libros del K.O. 2012
Paso, Ana del: Reporteras españolas, testigos de guerra. Debate, 2022.
Plokhy, Serhii: La guerra ruso-ucraniana. Península, 2023.
Sancha, Natalia (coord.): Balas para todas. Seis mujeres periodistas en Oriente Medio y el Magreb. Larrad, 2021.
Fotoperiodisme i fotografia documental
Bauluz, Javier: Morir matando
Fontcuberta, Joan: La cámara de Pandora.
García Rodero, Cristina: Contacto.
Light, Ken: Witness in Our Time: Working Lives of Documentary Photographers.
Sontag, Susan: On Photography.
VV.AA.: La maleta mexicana.
Software
Office (or equivalents) and basic audio or video editing tools (free choice). For possible virtual activities, Microsoft Teams or Zoom will be used.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 11 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 12 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |