News. Evidence. Truth?

Catalog description

In a post-truth world, we wrestle with questions such as, “What is evidence?” “What is enough evidence?” “Is objectivity irrelevant or even impossible?” And, most basically, “What is news anyway?” Using case histories and by interviewing highly regarded journalists, News. Evidence. Truth? will analyze the strategies and social dynamics of one of the media’s most revelatory forms: investigative journalism. The course will also immerse students in how the media functions in Western democracy. On field trips, the class will speak with journalists about how they work, legal experts about the effectiveness of laws guaranteeing press freedom, government officials about tensions with the press, and activists dedicated to fighting disinformation. Students will put theory into practice by assuming the roles of reporters in a newsroom. They will produce news stories and undergo the news editing process. They will collaboratively develop a reporter-to-editor memo that summarizes research on an investigative project and propose strategies for further reporting. They will gain heightened understanding of the media, deepened insights into the interplay of fact and rhetoric, and sharpened capacities to synthesize and convey information. This course will be offered in June-Term 2026. This course will be taught at NYU Madrid and will count as an Away J-Term course.