Fall, Spring
Theory and development of news stories, with special emphasis on interviewing, observation, document research, source development, and other standard reporting techniques. Students cover community beats and report and write news stories from these beats. The course concentrates on public affairs reporting and features field visits to criminal courts, in-class press conferences with government officials, and on-the-scene coverage of governmental meetings. Students are also versed in the theory, history, and use of Freedom of Information laws, shield protection laws, and open meeting laws, and are introduced to libel and invasion of privacy statutes.