Special Topics (390-0-24)
Topic
Chicago Investigative Prep Course
Instructors
Karin Lydersen
Meeting Info
303 E. Wacker Dr. 1624-B: Thurs 1:00PM - 3:50PM
Overview of class
This course is the first part of the Medill Investigative Program, where students will work as a team on an in-depth investigative project over the course of two academic quarters.
The program is based in Chicago and investigations are national, with travel possible. This course combines both undergraduate and graduate students; students will work together with Kari and media partners to report, write and produce stories for publication in professional outlets.
This winter-quarter course is a mandatory component of the Medill Investigative Program, where we will begin the team investigation that will be completed during a 2-credit spring-quarter course.
In 2023, the Medill investigative Program worked with MindSite News and other media partners on stories investigating police response to mental health crises, with students traveling to report in locations including Puerto Rico, Atlanta, Rapid City and Minneapolis. This topic will continue to be our focus in 2024.
In 2022, the Medill Investigative Program produced a series of investigations of toxic coal ash, published by Energy News Network and Detroit Public TV and including a TV feature. Students traveled to report in locations including Montana, New York, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana and Tennessee.
In this program, we use investigative tools and techniques including FOIAs and public records, court documents, data, mapping, on-the-ground scouting, interviews and other research to shed light on injustice and inequity. We will use a social justice and solutions journalism lens, exploring, quantifying and chronicling how the policies and practices of government agencies, corporations or other entities impact real people, and how things might be changed for the better.
The program involves a systematic team data-driven investigation, and we will work together to develop specific angles. The students will take ownership of different pieces of the investigation and also produce their own stories for publication as part of the larger project.
Class Materials (Required)
No course materials or costs (all documents and tools will be available free of cost to students and online).
Class Attributes
Attendance at 1st class mandatory
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