International Media Seminar

Journalism educators and their students are invited to gather in Paris for an International Media Seminar March 14-20, 2010 or March 21-27, 2010.

The Paris-based Center for the Study of International Communications, in cooperation with the American University of Paris, again will organize an extensive program of guest speakers and media tours.

Missouri Southern State University and Northwestern University have sent the largest delegations to the seminar over the longest period of time, but schools such as the George Washington University, Trinity College, Washburn University, and Bowling Green State University have also been regular participants.

Dr. Lee Huebner, Professor of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University, organizes the International Media Seminar with the assistance of his wife, Berna. Huebner was publisher of the International Herald Tribune from 1979 to 1993 and interim president of the American University in Paris from 1995 to 1996.

Costs include airfare to Paris, a program fee, and approximately $65 per night (based on double occupancy) lodging at the Hotel Malar or or the Hotel La Serre in the Seventh Arrondissement (7e), or similar hotels located near the Eiffel Tower. The program fee follows:

15 or more students from a school = € 300 per student
10 to 14 students from a school = € 340 per student
5 to 9 students from a school = € 380 per student
Under 5 students = € 400 per student

The program fee is waived for faculty members bringing five or more students. Several meals are included in the program fee, including most lunches and a dinner at the Huebners’ comfortable apartment in the trendy Sixteenth Arrondissement (16e).

Previous speakers have included:

Joan Dandres, an American journalist whose Middle East press experiences include reading news for the Qatar Television's English language newscast and Al Jazeera, Qatar's local satellite Arabic news station;
Cathy Nolan, People Magazine correspondent in Paris;
Harriet Welty Rochefort, author of the books French Toast and French Fried;
Jim Bittermann, Paris correspondent for CNN and NPR commentator;
Bret Kline, an American-born reporter for French TV station FR3 and Radio France;
Peter Mikelbank, European correspondent for People Magazine and Entertainment Tonight;
Nicola Keegan, longtime Paris resident, novelist, and Fodor's Travel Guide editor;
Diane Seligsohn, African press specialist;
Francçois Sergent, former foreign correspondent for Liberation.

The sessions are conducted in English at the American University of Paris, a short walk from either the Hotel Malar or the Hotel La Serre. Tours have included the International Herald Tribune, the French newspaper Liberation, and UNESCO plus an optional tour of the historical Chateau de Versailles, a literary walk, free time for shopping and visiting other historic sights.

For reservations, please e-mail Lee Huebner or call him at (202) 994-0042. Additional information is available by contacting Dr. Chad Stebbins, director of the Institute of International Studies at Missouri Southern State University at (417) 625-9736. Dr. Stebbins will be working with other institutions interested in offering the seminar to their students.