However, an honest consideration of our history requires that we admit that for most of it, American media ignored or marginalized the views and experiences of large segments of our society. Some of these omissions were the result of conscious biases. For example, before 1970, many editors believed that women reporters were only capable of covering "women's issues." In addition, there was a time when respected newspapers in the North and South gave announced lynchings as if they were social events.
In response to the riots of the 1960s, then-President Johnson commissioned a panel of experts to analyze America's racial divide and propose solutions. The resulting Kerner Commission Report concluded that the press helped to create the racial divide, noting that, "The press,has been basking in a white world, looking out of it, if at all, with a white man's eyes and a white perspective." (We Cannot Rest). The report ulitimately stimulated the American Society of Newspaper Editors to pledge that by this year, the composition of America's newsrooms would correspond to the the larger population. They failed. Last year, they moved the target date back to 2025 (NABJ Disappointed. The number of minority students who seek journalism training is still relatively small. The number of journalism students of color who seek or stay in journalism careers is paltry. And while women constitute roughly half of the students enrolled in journalism education, newsrooms are still mostly male Journalism and Women's Symposium).
In addition, while it is clear that news organizations need more demographic diversity, it is equally clear that demographic diversity alone is insufficient. However, there is no consensus about what a better definition would be. Nor is there a consensus about what "real" diversity could or should accomplish Diversity and the News. We only know that when journalists and media organizations fail to grapple with these issues, they perpetuate prejudice and division, instead of promoting understanding and a free exchange of ideas.
Thus, it becomes imperative that journalism students acquire tools for understanding the challenges inherent in the effort to rid news coverage and the news industry of bias. As a result of this course, students should be able to:
The course is divided into four interlocking units. Each unit is organized around a question:
- What are the problems, and what solutions are being attempted?
- What are some hypotheses about why the problems exist?
- Using the method of discourse analysis, can we gain a more concrete understanding of the problems that might help infer some of the solutions?
- How might we use what we have learned to improve the practice of journalism?
Readings on Reserve
Note: There is a one time copy fee of five ($5.00) dollar copy fee for course materials due the first week of class.
- Gandy, Oscar. Communication and Race
- Nelson, Jill. Volunteer Slavery
- Hockenberry, John. Moving Violations
- Jordan, June. "Nobody Means More to Me Than You and the Future Life of Willie Jordan"
- Smitherman, Geneva, Ed. African-American Women Speak Out on Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas
- Suarez, Ray. The Old Neighborhood (excerpts)
- Wilson, William Julius. When Work Disappears: The World of the New Urban Poor.
Major Assignments:
A) Message Board Participation: 20 percent
B) Oral History presentation:20 percent: Due March 3
C) Mini-Content analysis project: 20 percent
D) Independent research or reporting project:20
E) Homework assignments (including presentation of one reading:20 percent
Class Policies
- Read assigned materials before each session
- Class assignments, (except for message board participation) will be prepared in electronic form and placed in the "Submit" folder for our class, under my name, on the "O" drive. We will discuss this process on the first day of class.
- No make-ups or extensions without a doctor's note
Grading policies
A The final product reflects a sophisticated understanding of the issues, and provokes thought. Logic and facts are in order. Assertions are well-documented. Writing is clear, insightful and interesting. No substantial spelling, grammar or mechanical errors. Presentations are delivered in the appropriate style and format, within the established time frame.B The final product reflects a good understanding of the issues. Logic and facts are in order. The writing is clear and competent. Documentation is in order. Errors are minimal. Presentations are informative and well supported.
C The final product reflects a partial understanding of the issues. The work is thoughtful and produced with care. Some errors.
D An effort has been made to meet the requirements of the assignment, but substantial work is needed.
F The requirements have not been addressed.
0 The work has not been handed in, and no extensions have been given.
Class Schedule
January 18
: What are the problems?
- Class overview, policies, procedures
- What are the issues: Some reflections on the Coverage of Louis Farrakhan and Khalid Abdul Muhammad. The latter's 1994 visit to this campus presented a memorable challenge to student and professional journalists.
- Assignment:
- Read Reporting Race for a glimpse into some of the issues. By the way, read "Alien" Watch for perspective on the use of the word "illegals" in the article you just read. Comment on the Message Board.
- Editorial exercise. Due: January 28
You will be placed into groups. Each group will pretend to be the editorial committee of a particular news outlet. (Choose one.) Based on the principles that have been articulated, come up with some questions about the lessons of the Khalid Muhammad episode. Consult the the collection of articles that will be distributed in class, as well as the articles in the Muhammad folder on the O Drive. At our next class, you will have the opportunity to discuss your questions and conclusions with people who were involved in the story at TCNJ. The "Points to Consider" handout is designed to help guide your discussions.Use these conclusions to draft a memo listing guidelines for coverage of Louis Farakkhan's upcoming Savior's Day speech on February 27. This event is likely to be considered newsworthy because he made remarks at a December 1999, press conference which suggested that the Nation of Islam will abandon racial elements of its theology, align itself more closely with Orthodox Islam, and seek a rapprochement with Jewish leaders. The NOI is currently holding a series of meetings with Orthodx Jewish leaders.
January 21- 25
More Discussion
January 28:
Editorial exercise due in my submit folder. Assignment: Read each group's guidelines and comment on message board.
February 1:
What are the Causes?
Theories of the structure and function of the press. Read: "Journalism and the Making of Modern Literature" in Michael Robertson's Stephen Crane; Gandy Chapter 3: The Media System and Framing the News. Are there implications for us? Also read introduction to concept of Social ConstructionFebruary 4:
Gandy, Chapter 2: The Social Construction of Race and Suarez, Chapter 10: Still a Stranger: Latinos and the American City. Finally, read, Foundation for Fascism: The New Eugenics Movement in the United States to understand how the media can miss stories about academic racism
February 8:
Social Construction of Gender
Read:The Eleanor Roosevelt Press Conferences and "Miriam Van Waters and the Burning of Letters" handoutFebruary 11:
Socialization and Class, Language Codes and The Hidden Curriculum
Facing Hard Truths. The Invisible and Visible Black Poor, and The "Disappeared.". Are the implicit and explicit criticisms of the media in these essays fair?February 15:
Watch The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords. For a contemporary view of the black press, visit the National Newspapers Publishers Association.Assignment: In person or by e-mail, interview a journalist (reporter or editor) who is a member of a minority group. Due: March 3.
February 18 :
Reading the lives of journalists of color: Interview with Monica Lozano
White Reporters Out! A Graduate of the Black Press Looks BackFebruary 22:
Read Patricia Hill Collins introduction to Black Feminist Thought and discuss Jill Nelson's memoir, Volunteer Slavery. on reserve. How would Hill Collins want us to read the journalistic value of Nelson's work?
February 25:
Watch "The Front Page."
February 29
: Post-mortem on Farakkhan Coverage. Bring in a clip to discuss. Read Introduction, Chapters 6 and 7 of William Junius Wilson's When Work Disappears: The World of the New Urban Poor.March 3:
Oral History dueMarch 7:
Discourse analysis of selected stories: Revisiting Autumn, 1991
March 10
: Group project for in-class presentation -- mini-content analysis project
Assess the coverage of one of the following stories (or add your own): Due March 28. Use this to help you begin research on your reporting or research project
March 14:
- Leonard Peltier
- The Debate Over White Studies
- Elian Gonzalez and others
- Homophobia in women's sports
- Asian Americans -- The Model Minority Myth
- Environmental racism
- Gorrillas in the Mist -- the lives of law professors of color
- African American entrepreneurship
- Successful urban education and economic development initiatives
Discussion of content analysis Methodology. A simple description is contained in the handout from "Handbook of Reporting Methods."March 17:
March 20-24:
SPRING BREAK! ! !Have FUN AND stay SAFE.March 28
:Across the Pond: www.Chronicleworld.com: Changing Black BritainMarch 31
:Presentation Content Analyses April 4: The evolution of MS Magazine
April 7:Essence, Latina and Filipina
April 11: Online news operations run by people of color, glbt journalists and alternative media:
- The Black World Today
- Independent Media Center
- gaybc
- The online industry is heavily affected by public policy. The Clinton administrations ClickStart initiative may restructure the marketplace, says National Urban League technology director in this interview
April 14:African American talk radio -- From Jack the Rapper to Tom Joyner
April 18:Gay issues gain ground online. Research/reporting project updates
April 21
: Journalism education and the future. Read:
Are Minorities Getting a Fair Shot at Journalism Jobs? handout.
"On Thin Ice," Opinion piece by Jennifer Harrison
Winds of Change SummaryApril 25 Research/reporting project presentations Final project due on day of scheduled final.
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created January 11, 2000