Photojournalism and Democracy

Catalog description

A free press is vital to a functioning democracy. In fact, journalism is the only industry in the United States that enjoys a specific Constitutional protection. Central to the information landscape today are photographs, with over 1.4 trillion created on a yearly basis. This course explores the implications of that crowded visual landscape and especially contemplates the role of photojournalism in democracy. We examine the practice and ethics of visual news, explore major debates in photojournalism, and consider the dynamics of photographic reportage in the digital age. Learning the basics of photojournalism, students will have the chance to don the guise of young photojournalists, as they learn skills for responsible documentary practice. Students are encouraged to bring a range of interests to class"environmental, literary, musical, political"that will broaden our approach to assigned topics. Our readings include history, theory, and cultural criticism, in addition to putting our study of photography into practice with class assignments. A background in photography is not necessary. Guest speakers may include journalists (news photo editor, photojournalist) who can help deepen our conversations.