Project

Commander of the Faithful – A Journalistic Examination of Religious and Cultural Diversity Under Political Islam in Morocco

Program

Luce/ACLS Program in Religion, Journalism & International Affairs Collaborative Planning Grants

Department

Journalism

Abstract

Our collaboration draws on the acclaimed scholarly and practitioner network of the NYU Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies to deepen the intellectual experience and enhance the professional quality of graduate students participating in the Spring 2023 Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute’s GlobalBeat program (a highly-competitive, international reporting course). The project unites two complementary demographics: Journalism students who have an additional Middle East and North Africa area concentration; and students enrolled in the Near Eastern Studies program at the Kevorkian Center who have not had any journalism experience, but who demonstrate an interest in developing their research, interviewing, and writing skills to appeal to a broader, public audience. This experience includes an intensive seven-week initial learning and research period, during which expert lecturers and academic readings align with the advanced international reporting preparation that GlobalBeat offers. Under the guidance of our project leaders, students spend ten days in Morocco, reporting on stories that bring to visual and narrative life the themes identified during the research period. Upon return, students prepare multimedia journalistic work, which will be offered for professional publication.