University of Amsterdam Summer School: Media, Journalism, & Society

In this two-week pre-university honours programme at the University of Amsterdam, students will be challenged to think critically, and learn the foundations of journalism and its important role in societies across the world. During the course, students will become familiar with the skill set of journalists, which they will immediately apply in various exercises and writing assignments.

The Pre-University Honours Programme in Media, Journalism & Society is an excellent opportunity for high school students who are considering a future in media studies or journalism, and also for those who want to learn essential critical thinking and communication skills. Students will experience studying in a supportive international environment hosted by the University of Amsterdam. The lectures and all course materials are in English. Participants in the course will develop study skills and become acquainted with learning methods that will give them an advantage as they continue their education at university.

Participants will explore important theories and lenses in the journalistic field, including learning how to separate fact from fiction, moral issues in journalism, the influence of social media on the field, and how good journalism can change the 21st century for the better. We will complement classroom sessions with practicing important journalistic skills in workshops. Students will learn how to dissect and analyze news articles and clips to come to the root of an argument, essential interviewing techniques, the art of editing, and how to write/report in your own voice. At the end of the programme, participants will present original pieces of journalism that they created throughout the course, putting their newly honed skills into practice.