2022 – Spring

Advanced Reporting: The Green Metropolis (Print/Online track)

Course Number: JOUR-UA 301, section 3

Day & Time: Mon | 10:00 AM – 1:40 PM

Location: 20 Cooper Square, room 654

Prerequisites: The Beat JOUR-UA 201 (Print/Online sections)

Urban nature would seem an oxymoron, especially in a densely built, highly populated area like New York City. But in fact wild creatures and untamed jungles can be found in all five boroughs of New York—if you know where to look. There are hawks that dive-bomb pigeons, rare butterflies, occasional coyotes, marshes, beaches, and even old growth forests, all sharing space with eight million New Yorkers.

Welcome to the green metropolis. In recent decades, cities have become home to flourishing wildlife and eco-friendly policies. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword. The word “green” may conjure images of country lanes, not Flatbush Avenue, but cities are now leading laboratories for environmental change.

For example, many cities like New York are tackling greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Virtually every part of City Hall’s environmental agenda—waste, air, water quality, transportation, and of course, energy—provides both hard news and enterprise stories.

This class will delve into the trends at the forefront of the green metropolis. Students will find many opportunities for stories, uncovering the critters that have carved out a lush home in an otherwise concrete city; they will also encounter many fascinating characters that embrace this wild side of New York; and they will report on the issues and policies that are driving this urban transformation.

Notes: Required for students pursuing the print/online track in the journalism major. Counts as an elective for both journalism minors.