Professional journalists confront a dizzying array of problems and opportunities as the profession looks toward the twenty-first century. This course will provide students with an opportunity to survey a number of these issues through seminar-style discussion sessions, formal presentations, guest lectures, and written projects. This semester, the undergraduate course will be combined with a graduate section considering the same issues, which we hope will enrich the dialogue. We will also have readings from various periodicals that will be assigned as we go along.
Regular attendance is mandatory.
As you will note, a significant portion of your grade will be derived from class participation. That grade depends on being in class in order to participate and on having assimilated the assigned material so that you are prepared to participate. For this type of seminar to succeed, you must be present at every session unless some dire emergency exists. Any absences without extenuating circumstances will affect your grade. This will include participating in discussions of readings, presenting your research to the class, and responding to the research of your classmates.