One of the most treasured and commercially viable genres of journalism is the review or appraisal of the arts – literary, cinematic, culinary and more. One of the most respected kinds of journalist is the critic. But what constitutes good criticism and what tools does a writer need in order to become a widely read critic? This course, taught by a professor whose resume includes years as a movie critic and then a restaurant critic, will answer those questions as it teaches students how to write journalistic reviews. Students will read many examples of superior criticism, hear from successful critics and, above all, try their hands at criticism, their focus (e.g. movies, television, restaurants, music, books, etc.) dependent in part on their own passions and existing knowledge