Starting with the publication of its very first colonial newspaper, U.S. journalism has actively promoted -- and even organized and led -- identity-based discrimination and violence in our country. This reading-intensive course outlines this history, and situates contemporary U.S. journalism within this historical context. Through readings, guest visits, and in-class presentations, this course also grounds students in the fundamental ethical principles of the journalistic discipline, examines capitalist and technological influences on news organizations and news practitioners, studies the relationships between policy makers and media makers, interrogates concepts such as "objectivity" and "truth", and makes room for readings and discourse that challenge some of the industry's most venerated norms. 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, with the understanding that from its beginnings, U.S. journalism has not so much opposed power as a concept as it has attempted to hold power to account. Readings and discussions will focus on critical episodes in media history, ranging from the Zenger trial to the expansion of the telegraph to the publication of The Black Panther to the demise of Gawker.com. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to impactful writers, reporters, editors, data journalists, historians, and media critics such as Ida B. Wells, W.E.B. DuBois, Joan Didion, Alexandra Bell, Gabe Schneider, Juan González, and Jay Rosen. Close attention will be paid to alternative and ethnic press, media literacy, and a range of issues that are currently being challenged within contemporary beat practices such as food writing, travel writing, and foreign reporting.

[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 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.

How does “fake news” differ from real news; what determines which “facts” are recognized as true; and how can journalists ensure the accuracy of their writing? This hybrid course tracks milestones in political thought and media history that affect current journalistic practice, while teaching students how to check and defend facts, using the methods of the New Yorker’s checking department. Each week explores a different theme: from Thomas Jefferson’s and Tocqueville’s visions of American press freedom to Orwell’s insights into fact erasure; from the influence of telegraph, radio and television on democracy to the convulsions of the Civil Rights Era and Watergate; and on from there to the emergence of partisan news, the rise of the internet, the spread of the alt-right and conspiracy theories, and the threats of misinformation and information warfare. Each student follows a different publication all term to give them a sense of the distinct priorities and biases of each media outlet. Distinguished journalists, historians, podcasters and fact checkers visit the class to share their expertise. The two-fold goal of the course is to deepen students’ understanding of the power of fact and opinion in society, and to strengthen their ability to read and report the news effectively in an age when press freedom, democratic institutions, and truth itself are under attack.

Journalism ethics depend on truthfulness, accuracy, fairness, integrity, and accountability in news gathering and storytelling. Our class will begin with the media news of the day, followed by examinations of assignments through discussion and guest speakers. During our course, we will discuss the history of mass media, one that is rooted in political spin, polarization, and upholding inequality in America. And in that continuum, we will examine the current crises and "reckoning" in news media of objectivity, diversity, equity, local news deserts, and single narratives. We will discuss the function of news media, its forms, and the needs of society. We will learn about media law, and make ethical decisions on deadline. We will read works by rebel voices and outside media. We will reimagine the function of news media, and discuss best practices for reporting and storytelling, as well as paths forward.

Starting with the publication of its very first colonial newspaper, U.S. journalism has actively promoted -- and even organized and led -- identity-based discrimination and violence in our country. This reading-intensive course outlines this history, and situates contemporary U.S. journalism within this historical context. Through readings, guest visits, group discussions, and in-class presentations, this course also grounds students in the fundamental ethical principles of the journalistic discipline, examines capitalist and technological influences on news organizations and news practitioners, studies the relationships between policy makers and media makers, interrogates concepts such as "objectivity" and "truth", and makes room for readings and discourse that challenge some of the industry's most venerated norms. 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, with the understanding that from its beginnings, U.S. journalism has not so much opposed power as a concept as it has attempted to hold power to account. Readings and discussions will focus on a wide range of critical episodes in media history, including but certainly not limited to the Zenger trial, the expansion of the telegraph, the publication of The Black Panther, the rise of the internet, and the demise of Gawker.com. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to the work of impactful writers, reporters, photographers, editors, data journalists, historians, and media critics such as Ida B. Wells, W.E.B. DuBois, Joan Didion, Alexandra Bell, Gabe Schneider, Juan González, Ryan Christopher Jones, and Jay Rosen. Close attention will be paid to alternative and "ethnic" press, Native American journalism, media literacy, gender issues, and a range of practices that are currently being challenged within contemporary beat categories, such as food writing, travel writing, and foreign reporting.