UMass Boston

Course Overview

Description

This introductory course provides students with a foundation in the art of journalism with an emphasis on critical reading and writing. Throughout the semester, students read classic and contemporary works by prize-winning journalists and produce and analytical responses that consider these works with respect to critical debates in the field--questions of objectivity, representation, reporting methods, and the public interest. Using these writers as models, the course covers principles of style, structure, audience, and genre, as well as the legal and ethical frameworks that govern the journalistic profession. Through guided writing assignments, students are invited to try their hand at a range of journalistic genres, such as news reporting, profiles, and editorials.