Journalism of Empathy (371-0-20)
Instructors
Alex Kotlowitz
847/467-4099
555 Clark Street, Room 218
Meeting Info
Fisk Hall 306: Tues 1:00PM - 3:50PM
Overview of class
This course will explore writing about those people and places neglected, mistreated or misunderstood. As a journalist, I can't think of anything more exhilarating than moving beyond the center of the storm, introducing readers to people they otherwise would never have reason to meet, to spend time in places they otherwise might never visit. We'll ask these questions: Why is it important to write on people without wealth or power who are often ignored or whose stories are seldom told? What does it tell us about who we are as a nation? What does it tell us about our institutions and those who wield power? How does one gain access to an immigrant community or to a prison or to a small rural town? How do you immerse yourself in the lives of others while remaining honest about what you see and hear? What are the ethics involved in writing about people who are not public officials? How do you establish empathy?
We'll also talk about whose place it is to tell the stories of others across lines of ethnicity, race, gender and economic station. We'll focus on ways to reinforce the dignity and agency of the people whose experiences you set out to capture, including looking at ways to tell stories in people's own words. We'll discuss the potency of deeply intimate stories - but not forget the need for context and history.
In the course, there will be a lot of reading -- books and magazine pieces - as well as listening to radio pieces and watching some film. I hope to bring in a couple of guests during the quarter. There will also be a fair amount of writing. There will be two short writing assignments, as well as a longer piece which will be due at the end of the quarter. This course will be run as a seminar, so expect robust and vigorous class discussions. We'll workshop papers, discuss readings, watch film and work at understanding the artistry behind compelling nonfiction storytelling.
Registration Requirements
Pre-reqs: Sophomore standing, JOUR 301
Class Materials (Required)
Students will be required to purchase two paperback books:
1. Hiroshima by John Hersey (from $8.99 on Amazon)
2. The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman, et al (from $13.89 on Amazon)
Class Attributes
Attendance at 1st class mandatory
Prerequisites apply, see description
No Freshmen
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: In order to register for this course you must have taken JOUR 301, JOUR 301-1, JOUR 319, JOUR 352, JOUR 384, JOUR 390 (JOURneys: New York City & the), or JOUR 390 (JOURneys: Exploring Asian Amer).