ETHICS & HISTORY IN JOURNALISM: FACTS/ALTERNATIVE FACTSWhat is “fake news?” How does it differ from “real” news; and how can you ensure your own writing is accurate? This hybrid course blends lessons in political philosophy, history and communications with practical journalistic instruction ­to prepare the next generation of journalists to safeguard the truth—and their own careers—at a time when press freedom is under unprecedented attack. Students will read excerpts and articles that address the importance of freedom of speech and of the press, and explore past and present threats to those freedoms, interpolating the readings with current headline news. The texts range from the origins of our democracy and Constitution to the rise of broadcast media, digital media and the alt-right; from the First Amendment and Tocqueville’s vision of America to Watergate and the social-media assisted Russian hack of the 2016 election. Students will also read chapters from the novels 1984, by George Orwell, and Bright Lights Big City, by Jay McInerney, exploring how the fictional uses and abuses of the fact-checking profession reflect present realities; and they will receive a primer in how to fact check, using the methods of The New Yorker magazine's renowned checking department. Distinguished professional fact checkers and media figures will visit the class to share their expertise. The two-fold goal of the course is to deepen students’ understanding of the power of fact in society, and to increase their ability to control the accuracy of their own work.

[subject]This course situates contemporary U.S. journalism in its historical context and grounds students in the fundamental ethical principles of the discipline. Students will examine the role that journalism plays as a check on power in a democratic system, looking at times when the profession has succeeded or failed in that goal. Readings and discussions will focus on critical episodes in media history, from the Zenger trial and the rise of professional news-gathering to the Pentagon Papers and current challenges to a free press. Students will also examine the impact of disruptive technologies like radio, television and the Internet, and will be introduced to some of the profession’s greatest American practitioners, including Edward R. Murrow, Woodward and Bernstein, Ida B. Wells, and Ida Tarbell. Case studies involving ethical dilemmas in journalism will be presented for class discussion and debate, such as concepts like objectivity and independence and addressing biases based on factors like gender, religion, political party, or race.

[subject] This course situates contemporary U.S. journalism in its historical context and grounds students in the fundamental ethical principles of the discipline. Students will examine the role that journalism plays as a check on power in a democratic system, looking at times when the profession has succeeded or failed in that goal. Readings and discussions will focus on critical episodes in media history, from the Zenger trial and the rise of professional news-gathering to the Pentagon Papers and current challenges to a free press. Students will also examine the impact of disruptive technologies like radio, television and the Internet, and will be introduced to some of the profession’s greatest American practitioners, including Edward R. Murrow, Woodward and Bernstein, Ida B. Wells, and Ida Tarbell. Case studies involving ethical dilemmas in journalism will be presented for class discussion and debate, such as concepts like objectivity and independence and addressing biases based on factors like gender, religion, political party, or race.

[subject] This course situates contemporary U.S. journalism in its historical context and grounds students in the fundamental ethical principles of the discipline. Students will examine the role that journalism plays as a check on power in a democratic system, looking at times when the profession has succeeded or failed in that goal. Readings and discussions will focus on critical episodes in media history, from the Zenger trial and the rise of professional news-gathering to the Pentagon Papers and current challenges to a free press. Students will also examine the impact of disruptive technologies like radio, television and the Internet, and will be introduced to some of the profession’s greatest American practitioners, including Edward R. Murrow, Woodward and Bernstein, Ida B. Wells, and Ida Tarbell. Case studies involving ethical dilemmas in journalism will be presented for class discussion and debate, such as concepts like objectivity and independence and addressing biases based on factors like gender, religion, political party, or race. This course is required for J+D majors and is also well suited for students interested in the minor, who worked on their high school newspaper or are avid media consumers.