23 April 2012

Launch your journalism career

Submitted by: Emma

The University of Cape Town and GetSmarter, South Africa’s leading online educator, are proud to announce the second presentation of the University of Cape Town (CFMS) Feature Writing course. The 10-week part-time course, which starts on 7 May 2012, is presented entirely online through GetSmarter’s innovative online learning platform.

There are numerous opportunities available to freelance journalists and writers today, but professional training is essential to get the best start in this direction. This highly practical course teaches students the skills and techniques they need to write professional feature articles for a wide variety of media, including newspapers, magazines, websites and blogs.
The course is aimed at both first-time writers and those who already have writing experience but who would like to maximise their potential as feature journalists.

GetSmarter’s advanced and user-friendly learning model provides students with a personal and professional educational experience. Students work through the course material together and receive continuous academic and administrative assistance during the course. Each of the 10 modules includes comprehensive and up-to-date course notes, discussion forums where students interact with one another, an interactive quiz and video lectures to make the course material more engaging.

Over the course of the 10 weeks, students will work on a feature article of their own, with expert guidance from the convener at each step of the way. Students form part of an online writing community where they interact with fellow writers, share work and ideas and review one another’s written projects as part of a structured learning process. At the end of the course, students will leave with a complete 2,000 word article and the University of Cape Town’s (CFMS) Feature Writing certificate.

GetSmarter is a high-touch online education company that works together with top universities and industry experts to present courses throughout South Africa. GetSmarter has trained over 10,000 students, in such diverse topics as labour law, marketing and using the internet – all from the comfort of the students’ homes or offices.

The University of Cape Town is one of Africa’s leading university institutions. GetSmarter and the University of Cape Town work together with only the best industry experts to provide professional and exceptional support.

The convener for this course is Andre Wiesner, an award-winning feature journalist who has taught at the University of Cape Town for several years. Besides being an experienced and acclaimed writer himself, Andre also has considerable expertise in preparing students to write for both print and digital media.

Contact details:
The course starts on 7 May 2012, and registrations close on 26 April 2012. Please contact Amy-Jane on 021 447 7565 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.getsmarter.co.za for further information.