Political Journalism

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Reporting on politics is one of the most important services journalists provide the public. This class will explore what it means to report truthfully and effectively about politics, politicians and political campaigns. We’ll examine the intellectual frameworks journalists use, both explicitly and implicitly. We’ll examine the platforms used to convey political messaging. We’ll examine the tension found in writing about the horse race of campaigns and polling. We’ll learn about fundraising, social media, opposition research and disinformation. We’ll debate how political journalism can be improved, and we’ll report and write stories about voters, policies and politics in general. Among our guest speakers will be some of the nation’s most distinguished political journalists.