Special Topics (490-0-20)

Topic

The Investigative Narrative: How to report it, how

Instructors

Louise Kathryn Kiernan

Meeting Info

303 E. Wacker Dr. 1624-A: Thurs 1:30PM - 4:20PM

Overview of class

Narrative and investigative journalism have generally been considered separate pursuits, with feature writing often wrongly dismissed as superficial and flimsy and investigative reporting as worthy but dull. Yet, at its heart, every story is an investigative story: rigorously uncovering, understanding and sharing the truth is the fundamental purpose of journalism. And deploying the tools of narrative writing will enrich and enliven the most complex of investigations. In this course, you will learn how to use techniques of investigative journalism to strengthen your storytelling skills and to construct deeply reported and powerfully told narratives.

Note: Coursework will include in-class exercises, short written assignments and an analytical paper designed to develop your journalistic and critical thinking abilities, but no reported final project will be required.

Class Materials (Required)

None

Class Attributes

Attendance at 1st class mandatory

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Only students in the MSJ program may enroll in these classes