Special Topics (390-0-20)

Topic

Social Justice Investigations Primer

Instructors

Debra Cenziper

Meeting Info

Meets in Non-General PurposeRm: Wed 10:00AM - 12:50PM

Overview of class

For generations, investigative reporting has proven to be one of the highest and most impactful forms of journalism. It sheds light on wrongdoing, exposes rampant incompetence and calls to account powerful people and institutions, from presidents to banks to schools. Over two quarters, you will focus on social justice reporting through a single investigation that touches on the lives of vulnerable people in the U.S. and, potentially, overseas. You will explore documents, interview powerbrokers and the constituents they are supposed to serve, probe critical data and trends, conduct on-the-ground reporting in the United States or abroad and ultimately produce a groundbreaking investigative story from the ground up. Consider your classmates team members and allies. Consider your instructor a collaborator, editor and guide. Investigative reporting is hard. Expect to confront roadblocks. But along the way, you will learn to think, research and write like an investigative reporter. If you are successful, your work could potentially make a difference in the lives of vulnerable people. The goal is to publish a significant investigation in a professional media outlet, such as the ProPublica. This is a two-quarter class based in Evanston in the winter and Washington, D.C. in the spring. You can read the published investigations of prior MIL classes here: https://mil.medill.northwestern.edu/

Registration Requirements

Registration is By Application Only

Class Materials (Required)

None

Class Attributes

Attendance at 1st class mandatory
Synchronous:Class meets remotely at scheduled time
Registration is By Application Only

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: This section is currently closed to registration. Please contact the department directly with any questions.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required