Classroom and Beyond

USC Annenberg students in an “Advanced Disruption: Innovation with Emerging Technology” journalism class, run by Robert Hernandez, associate professor of professional practice, teamed with a local nonprofit to create immersive stories. Using virtual reality and 360-degree videos, our students partnered with Peace4Kids, an organization working with youth in foster care, to help create these narratives. This is the behind-the-scenes look at the experience.

When Ivy Schamis began describing what happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14, 2018, she stood up and walked to the door of the classroom on the third floor of the Annenberg School for Communication building.

When Brenda Wiewel was looking for guidance on how to best promote the work being done as part of the USC Homeless Initiative, she didn’t have to look far. Wiewel, director of the university initiative to eliminate homelessness, reached out to the USC Annenberg Agency. Here she connected with Jing Ma, a second-year communication management graduate student. After discussing with Wiewel the best ways to get the word out on campus about activities, resources and volunteer efforts, Ma met with the 19 other students in the Agency and formulated a plan.

Interested in getting into broadcasting — either as an anchor or a producer? Making a podcast? Writing news stories? Creating immersive videos or multi-platform digital media? Check out what you can do in USC Annenberg’s Media Center. This cutting-edge production facility is housed in Wallis Annenberg Hall on USC’s campus. Open to journalism, communication and public relations students, as well as students across the USC campus. The first Thursday of each semester is an Open House from noon–5 p.m. Please join us on January 16, 2020.

In 2017, New Scientist published a story about how long it would take for artificial intelligence (AI) to surpass human intelligence. The article was shared through a tweet that read: “AI will be able to beat us at everything by 2060, say experts.”

“Probably closer...

As they watch live via the biggest screen on campus, USC professors are using the potential impeachment of President Trump to deepen students’ understanding of history, constitutional law and policy.

In Sasha Anawalt’s JOUR 599 Food Culture Journalism course last Spring, students in the Master of Arts in Specialized Journalism (The Arts) program focused on food journalism. Students were exposed to the vast array of food offerings in Los Angeles. In meeting and speaking with a variety of guest lecturers, they learned about urbanization, culture, health, and much more. View some of their final pieces and other USC Annenberg graduate student journalism work at ampersandla.com.

When Jessica Flores had the opportunity to report on the recovery from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico one year after the storm, she knew what topic she wanted to pursue.