News Reporting and Writing

This course explores how journalists write and produce news in a variety of platforms including print, digital, television, and radio. Students learn how to discern what constitutes news, how to gather reporting elements and interview sources, and how to write concise breaking-news stories. We also look at examples of in-depth and enterprise reporting, including conversations with journalists from ProPublica, National Public Radio (NPR), and other national media organizations. The course stresses accuracy, fact-checking, and the ethical considerations inherent in journalism. We also feature speakers who can advise students on how they can create a sustainable career in journalism.