2018 - Fall

Elective Reporting Topics: Race, Journalism and Justice

Course Number: JOUR-UA 204, section 001

Day & Time: Tues 2:00pm-4:30pm

Location: 20 Cooper Square, room 657

Instructor: Rachel L. Swarns

Race, Journalism and Justice: Journalists have long been in the forefront of exposing racial injustice, but they have also exacerbated racial tensions and even abetted racial violence.  In this course, we’ll turn the lens on the media and ourselves as we investigate a racial killing in New York that garnered national headlines in the 1890s and do our own reporting on modern-day hate crimes in New York City. In the process, we’ll examine media bias and acquire archival and contemporary reporting skills for covering issues of race. Students will also learn how to pitch stories to professional editors at media outlets.

This course provides students with experience in mining government and archival records along with developing skills in critical media analysis and reporting on sensitive subjects. It is an undergraduate elective.