News Reporting (421-4-21)

Topic

Social Justice/Investigative Reporting

Instructors

Desiree Hanford

Meeting Info

Meets in Non-General PurposeRm: Tues, Thurs 9:00AM - 11:50AM

Overview of class

This reporting class is an introduction to and exploration of the use of investigative tools like FOIAs, legal filings, public documents and basic data to report on a social justice topic such as housing, immigration, labor rights and more. Developing sources and conducting in-depth interviews are central, with a focus on tapping sources for story ideas and working with vulnerable sources. Experienced reporters will share their best practices so students can continue honing their own best reporting and writing practices. Students will pitch a story early in the quarter and report, write, and rewrite the story several times, adding additional information and interviewing more sources with each draft before submitting the final version. No previous investigative experience required. Multimedia elements such as video, audio and photography may be incorporated as sidebars.

Class Materials (Required)

None

Class Attributes

Attendance at 1st class mandatory