Art of the Interview covers the nuts and bolts of conducting effective interviews. You'll learn techniques for asking probing questions, active listening, and building rapport with subjects. The course dives into different interview styles, from journalistic to research-based, and explores ethical considerations. You'll also practice structuring interviews, handling difficult subjects, and adapting to various media formats.

Is Art of the Interview hard?

Art of the Interview isn't typically a GPA killer, but it does require you to step out of your comfort zone. The concepts aren't super complex, but applying them in real-world situations can be challenging. You'll need to practice your people skills and think on your feet. Some students find the role-playing exercises a bit awkward at first, but most end up enjoying the hands-on nature of the course.

Tips for taking Art of the Interview in college

Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
Practice, practice, practice - interview friends, family, or even strangers
Record yourself conducting interviews and analyze your performance
Stay up-to-date with current events to have relevant topics for discussion
Watch interviews by pros like Oprah, Barbara Walters, or Terry Gross for inspiration
Read "The Art of the Interview" by Lawrence Grobel for in-depth techniques
Check out the "WTF with Marc Maron" podcast for a masterclass in conversational interviews

Common pre-requisites for Art of the Interview

Introduction to Mass Communication: This course provides an overview of various media forms and their impact on society. You'll learn about the evolution of communication technologies and their role in shaping public opinion.

Public Speaking: In this class, you'll develop skills to effectively communicate ideas to an audience. It covers speech organization, delivery techniques, and strategies for overcoming stage fright.

Classes similar to Art of the Interview

Broadcast Journalism: This course focuses on reporting and producing news for television and radio. You'll learn about writing for broadcast, on-camera presentation, and the technical aspects of production.

Feature Writing: Here, you'll explore long-form journalism and magazine writing. The class covers research techniques, narrative structure, and developing a unique writing voice.

Digital Storytelling: This course combines traditional storytelling with new media technologies. You'll learn to create compelling narratives using various digital platforms and tools.

Media Ethics: This class delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by media professionals. You'll explore case studies and develop a framework for making ethical decisions in various communication contexts.

Journalism: Focuses on gathering, verifying, analyzing, and presenting news and information. Students learn to write for various media platforms and develop critical thinking skills.

Communication Studies: Explores how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. It covers interpersonal, organizational, and mass communication.

Media Production: Combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience in creating content for various media platforms. Students learn about video production, audio engineering, and digital media creation.

Public Relations: Concentrates on managing communication between an organization and its publics. Students learn about reputation management, crisis communication, and strategic messaging.

What can you do with a degree in Art of the Interview?

Journalist: Gathers, verifies, and reports news for various media outlets. They may specialize in print, broadcast, or digital journalism, covering a wide range of topics.

Podcast Producer: Creates and manages audio content for podcasts. They handle everything from concept development and guest booking to editing and distribution.

Qualitative Researcher: Conducts in-depth interviews for market research, academic studies, or social science projects. They analyze data to uncover insights and trends in human behavior and opinions.

Public Relations Specialist: Manages communication between organizations and the public. They often arrange interviews, prepare clients for media appearances, and craft messaging strategies.