William J. Foltz Journalism Award

Rules and Guidelines | Judging | Award Winners

The Journalism Award is named for William J. Foltz, H. J. Heinz Professor of African Studies and Political Science, and a former Director of The MacMillan Center. He has had a Guggenheim Fellowship, and has been a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and African-American Institute. His research concerns politics and international relations of Africa, political role of the military and ethnic conflict. His publications include From French West Africa to the Mali Federation, Yale University Press, 1965, Arms and the African (with Henry Bienen), Yale University Press, 1985, and “Reconstructing the Chadian State," in Collapsed States, Lynn Rienner Press, 1995.

Rules and Guidelines

The contest is open to Yale University students. It carries a cash award of $300.

Articles entered must relate to some aspect of international affairs, area studies, or foreign relations. The story must treat the subject with originality, be well-written, and help the audience gain greater knowledge and understanding of international issues.

Articles must have appeared in a Yale publication, or any other publication between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008, and may cover any lectures, conferences, or other activities held on the Yale campus, or events elsewhere.

Entries must be submitted to The MacMillan Center. Include one copy of the article to be considered, and a completed entry form. Only one entry per student. Entrants are responsible for the delivery of their submissions to the Center office to meet the deadline of April 4, 2008, at 4:00 p.m

Judging

A panel of 3 judges from the Center will review entries.

The winning award, in the opinion of the judges, shall demonstrate excellence, creativity, and journalistic merit in reporting a news event, feature, or human-interest story.

The judges will consider these  main factors:

•  degree of difficulty – logistical and other challenges experienced in getting the story;
• the substance of the story;
• the treatment of the story, such as novelty, originality, drama, human interest, humor, and/or pathos;
• comprehensiveness and quality of information;
• the quality of writing and presentation.

The winner will be notified by email and/or by phone no later than May 22, 2008. The winner’s name, photo, and article may be posted on the MacMillan Center's website. Entrants can check the Center website after June 30, 2008 for details on the winning entry.

Journalism Award Winners

2007 Winner
Katharine Kendrick, "Activism 2.0"

2006 Winners
Michael J. Kavanagh, "Haiti Tries Elections, Again"
Zvika Krieger, "Kifaya: The Rise and Fall of Egypt's Secular Opposition"

2005 Winner
Sara Schlemm, "On Rocky Ground. Cautious Progress in Afghanistan"

2004 Winner
Haninah Levine, "Israel: Finding Asylum in a Land of Refuge"

2003 Winner
Linda Shi, "China's Muslim Province: Conflict and Resentment in Xinjiang"