2021 – Spring

Journalism as Literature: History and the Novel

Course Number: JOUR-UA 504, section 1

Day & Time: Wed | 3:30 PM – 6:15 PM

Location: Online

Instructor: Susie Linfield

Prerequisites: None

In this course, we’ll read a series of novels based on historical events, supplemented by readings in journalism and history. We’ll begin with the most famous slave uprising in the American South and end with the Arab Spring of the early 21st century. One of our major aims will be to analyze each mode of inquiry (fiction, history, journalism) and discover the ways in which they complement — and, sometimes, conflict — with each other as we attempt to discover the truth (or, rather, multiple truths) of these complex and painful events. Please note: this course requires a large amount of intensive weekly readings.

Notes: Open to Juniors and Seniors only. Sophomores may enroll with permission of the instructor. Email Professor Susie Linfield at susie.linfield@nyu.edu to request permission. Crosslisted with History as Topics: History and the Novel HIST-UA 282, section 2. Counts as an elective for the journalism major and both journalism minors.