JRN 3300 - The Cultural History of American Journalism

This is a study of the historic relationship between American culture and society and the printed, broadcast, and computerized news media. The course will consider how the news media influence and are influenced by cultural, social, intellectual, political, and economic institutions. As part of the course, students will study the contributions and lives of influential American journalists such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, William Cullen Bryant, Elias Boudinot, Horace Greeley, Frederick Douglass, Ida M. Tarbell, W.E.B. DuBois, Ida B Wells-Barnett, Walter Lippmann, Henry Luce, Margaret Bourke-White, John H. Johnson, Edward R. Murrow, and Tim A. Gingo, Jr. Particular attention will also be paid to how the news media have impacted the social status and cultures of lesser-heard voices: women, African and Native Americans, immigrants, political dissidents, and others.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: Junior standing, or sophomore standing with instructor approval.

Credits: 3 hours