Critical Issues in Journalism
J310 (Unique No. 07280)
Spring 2011
Class: T&Th 8-9:15 a.m., WCH 1.120
Office: CMA 4.314; 471-1990
Office Hours: W 8:30-11:30 a.m. and by appointment
email: or
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to (1) survey the various forms of contemporary journalism, with an eye toward helping students make career choices, and (2) critique those same forms, with an eye toward helping students become better journalists and more engaged citizens.
I would subtitle this course “developing the tools needed for intellectual self-defense in the United States,” an especially important task for journalists. The underlying goal of this course is to help us sharpen skills that our society tends to dull -- the ability to question assumptions, evaluate evidence, analyze systems and structures of power, and generate knowledge that can lead to amore just and sustainable world.
In this course we will engage in critique, which is not a solely negative enterprise and is not synonymous with complaining, whining, or mean-spiritedness. To critique an idea,a practice, or an institution is to examine it to determine its nature so that we can understand its possibilities and limitations. Critique can result in criticism, which sometimes justifiably can be harsh. But critique also can reveal the strength of an argument. Critique is a thoughtful enterprise, the goal of which is to deepen our understanding of an issue or problem.
The mainstream critiques of news media, as well as journalists’ defense of their trade, tend to be diversionary and unproductive because of a lack of clarity about the nature of democracy and fundamental misunderstandings about the way news media work. In this class we will pursue a more productive evaluation of contemporary news media and the larger society in which journalists operate. In the first part of the course, we will rethink the culture’s ideas about democracy, looking not only at conventional politics but also at crucial economic and social aspects. Students will begin to form their answer to a simple question: “What is democracy?” From there, we will move to a critical examination of the contemporary news media, looking at the ideals behind, and realities of, journalists’ work. Students will begin to form their answer to another simple question: “What are journalists for?” In the final weeks of the course we will evaluate the work of one contemporary journalist to help test our answers. In all these investigations we will focus on three crucial aspects of our lives: institutional structures that shape our thinking and behavior; everyday routines and professional practices that usually are taken for granted; and ideological assumptions that typically go unchallenged. The goal is for students to come to their own evaluation of the problems and promise of journalism in helping build a truly democratic society.
Important Note about Computers: Students may not use computers or other electronic devices during class except in cases involving special needs. See the professor if you would like to make a request.
TEXTBOOKS:
--Dahl, Robert A., On Democracy (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1998).
--Bennett, W. Lance, News: The Politics of Illusion, 8th ed. (New York: Longman, 2009).
--Pilger, John, Freedom Next Time (New York: Nation Books, 2007).
GRADES:
Your final grade will be based on:
--4 exams (20 points each) 80 points
--10 quizzes (2 points each) 20 points
A = 90-100points
(A- 90-92.5; A 93-100)
B = 80-89.5 points
(B- 80-82.5; B 83-86.5; B+ 87-89.5)
C = 70-79.5 points
(C- 70-72.5; C 73-76.5; C+ 77-79.5)
D = 60-69.5 points
(D- 60-62.5; D 63-66.5; D+ 67-69.5)
1. Exams:
There will be four scheduled exams during the semester, each worth 20 points toward your final grade. Each of the exams will be 40 questions, multiple-choice and true/false; so, each correct answer will be worth a half point toward your final grade. Each exam will cover material from the lectures and readings for a single segment of the course; exams will not be comprehensive. There is no final exam.
2.Quizzes:
There will be 15 unscheduled quizzes throughout the semester, and your 10 best scores will count toward your final grade. Each quiz will include two questions that draw on the material from class that day.Each correct answer is worth one point toward your final grade. If you miss a quiz, you miss that quiz; no makeups.
The quizzes will be administered at various times during a class period. Some will be in the first few minutes of class, while others will come near the end of class. If you aren’t in the classroom when the quiz is administered, you miss that quiz. If you come into the classroom while the quiz is in progress, you miss that quiz.
Attendance policy:
No attendance records will be kept.
The scheduled exams are based in part on lectures and discussions, and it will be difficult to earn a respectable grade on those exams without coming to class on a regular basis.
The unscheduled quizzes are designed to encourage you to come to class, come to class on time, and stay awake during class.
SCHEDULE
J310/Spring 2011
WEEK 1: January 18 and 20
topic: crises, cultural and journalistic
reading: Dahl, chapters 1-3
WEEK 2: January 25 and 27
topic: democracy basics
reading: Dahl, chapters 4-7
WEEK 3: February 1 and 3
topic: ideal democracy
reading: Dahl, chapters 8-11
WEEK 4: February 8 and 10
topic: actual democracy
reading: Dahl, chapters 12-15 and appendices
WEEK 5: February 15 and 17
*exam #1 on Tuesday*
topic: democracy and news
reading: Bennett, chapter 1
WEEK 6: February 22 and 24
topic: bias and framing
reading: Bennett, chapter 2
WEEK 7: March 1 and 3
topic: politics and people
reading: Bennett, chapter 3
WEEK 8: March 8 and 10
topic: politics and politicians
reading: Bennett, chapter 4
*exam #2 on Thursday*
SCHEDULE
J310/Spring 2011
Spring break: March 14-18
WEEK 9: March 22 and 24
topic: objectivity
reading: Bennett, chapters 5-6
WEEK 10: March 29 and 31
topic: political economy
reading: Bennett, chapter 7
WEEK 11: April 5 and 7
topic: the future
reading: Bennett, chapter 8
*exam #3 on Thursday*
WEEK 12: April 12 and 14
topic: confronting power
reading: Pilger, introduction and chapters 1-2
WEEK 13: April 19 and 21
topic:challenging the conventional wisdom
reading: Pilger, chapters 3-4
WEEK 14: April 26 and 28
topic: digging for the real story
reading: Pilger, chapter 5
WEEK 15: May 3 and 5
*exam #4 on Tuesday*
Big Finish
*There is no final exam in this class.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES and INFORMATION
Scholastic Dishonesty: The University defines academic dishonesty as cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, falsifying academic records, and any act designed to avoid participating honestly in the learning process. Scholastic dishonesty also includes, but is not limited to, providing false or misleading information to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment, and submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor. By accepting this syllabus, you have agreed to these guidelines and must adhere to them. Scholastic dishonesty damages both the student's learning experience and readiness for the future demands of a work-career. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University.
University of Texas Honor Code: The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.
Religious Holy Days: A student who misses classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day should inform the instructor as far in advance of the absence as possible, so that arrangements can be made to complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence.
Students with Disabilities: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 (voice) or 232-2937 (video phone).
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