2026 - Fall

The Beat: Covering Activism & Politics (Print/Online track)

Course Number: JOUR-UA 201.003

Day & Time: Wed | 2:00 PM – 5:40 PM

Location: 20 Cooper Square, Room 653

Prerequisites: Journalistic Inquiry: The Written Word JOUR-UA 101

Yup, times are weird and intense as Trump’s second presidency unfolds in unprecedented territory, with immigrant deportations as a major flashpoint. In NYC, the mayoral race is drawing unusual worldwide attention. Since 33-year-old socialist assemblyman Zohran Mamdani crushed the Democratic primary, scandal-plagued former Gov. Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams have been elbowing for position trailing in the polls. Meanwhile Republican Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels vigilantes founder, completes this wild field. With all eyes on the NYC November general election to see who’ll lead Gotham, it’s a field day for journalists. In this course you’ll get a taste of election coverage while choosing your own focus—from voting rights to activism around social justice, immigration, climate, women’s rights, gender, LGBTQ advocacy, arts, culture, labor, economic inequality and more. Throughout, you’ll report issues of national reach from a local angle on the front lines of New York City—face to face and in-person. With turmoil on many fronts, today’s scene is ever surprising and moves at lightning speed. So we will be nimble, learning to pivot with fast-changing developments—while asking questions and taking notes!

Notes: Required for students pursuing the Print/Online track in the journalism major and the Minor in Print and Online Journalism. Counts as an elective for the Minor in Broadcast and Multimedia Journalism.

Questions? Email undergraduate.journalism@nyu.edu.