Reporting on the EU
This course is one of a series of 1-credit courses utilizing practitioners to teach students on a variety of topics related to European and EU studies. These classes combine academic discussion with real-world insights from the instructors’ based on their experiences working in, with or for the European Union. The EU in Practice courses are a unique, one-time opportunity for students to engage with practitioners and policymakers.
In spring 2024, the course is offered as a full semester course, however, class meetings will be concentrated during a 1-week intensive in-person seminar from Monday, February 26 – Friday, March 1 (6:00 – 9:00 pm). Additional meetings (virtual and/or in person) may be scheduled before and after the intensive seminar week to review readings and discuss assignments. Students will be expected to prepare readings in advance of the one-week intensive seminar and will work on a final project in the latter half of the semester. The course explores contemporary journalism in a European context. “Americans used to say that the American Dream is worth dying for. The new European Dream is worth living for.” These are the words expressed 20 years ago by an American advisor to several European officials and leaders. But statements such as this, can be impactful as well as divisive, potentially leading to controversy. Wherever there are disputed facts, or even just contrary opinions, journalism can step in to mediate the conversation and provide unbiased information to allow the public to make up their own mind. Journalism can provide the information needed to differentiate between local, national, and European interests. Journalists provide critical information, such as who is “Brussels” when “Brussels decides” and can provide a European perspective for local, regional or global events. This class will cover these topics and more in a unique course merging insights from our guest lecturer’s career in journalism covering the EU and NATO with academic readings and discussion on pressing issues facing EU reporting and the field of journalism more broadly.
Meet the instructor
Robert Lupițu is based in Bucharest and Brussels and serves as the editor-in-chief of CaleaEuropeană.ro, the main EU and transatlantic affairs online media outlet in Romania. His career as a journalist focuses on major EU and NATO meetings coverage, as well as serving as the Romanian journalist covering each edition of the Munich Security Conference since 2018. With an expertise on EU integration and international relations, Robert has published broadly including the co-authored volumes “Transatlantic Romania”, (with former Foreign Ministers, members of the Government, presidential advisors, and members of the European Parliament), and “The War – Consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on a global, European and Romanian level” with renowned members of the academic community. His work has been recognized with a “Columnist of the Year “ award at a European Union contest organized for Romanian journalists. Other affiliations include membership of the Global Shapers Community (World Economic Forum), #TT27 Leadership Academy of the European Commission and Aspen Institute Romania & German Marshall Fund initiatives in Romania.
