LLSJ
2010

Ethics and History of Journalism

Eugene Lang College Lib Arts: Journalism + Design

Liberal Arts
Undergraduate Course
Degree Students
Ethics & History of Journalism
Fall 2025
Taught By:
Section: BX

CRN: 3261

Credits: 4

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.

Prerequisites: No Prerequisites
Co-Requisites: No Co-requisites

College: Eugene Lang College Lib Arts (LC)

Department: Journalism + Design (JND)

Campus: New York City (GV)

Course Format: Seminar (R)

Modality: In-Person

Max Enrollment: 18

Repeat Limit: N/A

Add/Drop Deadline: September 9, 2025 (Tuesday)

Online Withdrawal Deadline: November 17, 2025 (Monday)

Seats Available: Yes

* Seats available but reserved for a specific population.

Status: Open*

* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 10:24pm EDT 7/11/2025

Meeting Info:
Days: Thursday
Times: 9:00am - 11:40am
Building: Eugene Lang 65 W11th
Room: 465
Date Range: 8/27/2025 - 12/15/2025