This course provides an introduction to the journalism industry in the United States, including the history and purposes of journalistic practice, the present-day workings of the profession and how the developments of electronic journalism and the Internet continue to impact and transform the role of journalism in political, civic, and social life.
You will learn about the principles and purposes of journalism, about how journalism is practiced, and about its past, present, and possible futures. You will study news values and explore how they appear in news stories. You will read various news sources and stay on top of current affairs (essential for not only journalists but for all communication professionals). You will learn that “objectivity” is a myth, and that fairness is not. You will learn that “truth” in journalism is not a myth, but it’s sometimes complicated.
You will learn that in fulfilling journalism’s public mission, journalists work hard. They must develop keen attention to details, must learn to be unafraid of people with power and money, study and accommodate their own biases, and ultimately write stories that people both want and need to read. In this course, you will learn to think both critically and appreciatively about journalism, journalists, and the public responsibilities of both. Hopefully, you will learn that journalism is worthwhile as a calling and a profession, and you will learn what it takes to enter it thoughtfully and ethically.
- Teacher: Gilewicz Nicholas