Journalism 318 – Literature of Journalism

R.J. de Maria demariab@wlu.edu

Reid #301 [458-8436]

 

‘In some ways, journalism and literature are, or are thought of, as antithetical forms. Journalism is JOUR-nalism, something written of and for the day. "Literature," on the other hand, suggests something lasting, writing that aims at durability and universality, something canonical in the fashionable term of the day. Yet it is a familiar truism that some journalism, early and late, eventually comes to be regarded as literature -- some of the work of Swift & Dr.Johnson, for example- while many serious "literary" writers cut their teeth in journalism -- Ernest Hemingway and Stephen Crane being standard examples. Otherwise, writers whose work is primarily fiction or poetry, history or biography, often weigh in on the issues of the day, in a form which is literary by any definition.’ (E.M. Yoder, 1999)

INTRODUCTION

In this course we will deal with two related but different forms of writing. One is "literary journalism," generally meaning that journalism which the French call "high vulgarization" -- that is, serious journalistic writing about serious topics which is usually expected to be a bit more measured, searching, allusive and penetrating than reporting or comment on the news of the day.

The other form is "journalism as literature," generally meaning that journalism which, whatever the occasion or haste of its origins, has achieved enduring value because of its excellence. The true test lies in the reading. Does this work continue to make compelling fare for the reader, even though the subject itself lies in the past?

GOALS

The readings, class lectures and discussion are designed to give each student a historic perspective of journalism. In addition, students will demonstrate an ongoing understanding of the role and importance of the journalist in society. 

REQUIREMENTS

Each member of the class will compose a clearly written, well-researched seminar length paper (15 pages) on a class-related topic. You may choose a topic of particular interest to you, but it must be directly related to our focus in this course.

In addition, students will prepare and submit brief but well-written reactions to every week's reading assignment.

There will be an examination. Students will participate in class discussion of all the assigned readings. Discussions are designed to further the understanding of the expanding role of the journalist.

COMPETENCIES:

          At the end of this class, you should be able to:

·        Think critically and independently

·        Demonstrate an understanding of groups in a global society in relationship to Journalism Literature

·        Conduct research and evaluate methods appropriate to the communications professions, audiences and the purposes they serve

·        In this class, you should be presented with opportunities to self-test your knowledge of 11 values and competencies identified by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications and embraced by this department. Many of  these values and competencies have been identified and addressed in previous courses in the department. The list is available at: I:\public_html\Curriculum\ACEJMCvalues.html

REQUIRED TEXTS

          Berner, R. Thomas The Literature of Journalism

          Capote, Truman In Cold Blood

            Didion, Joan  The Year of Magical Thinking

            Reynolds, Bill Fall River Dreams

            Thompson, Hunter S. Generation of Swine

            Wolfe, Tom The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby

RESERVE MATERIALS (LEYBURN LIBRARY)

          American Society of Magazine Editors The Best American Magazine        Writing, 2002. New York: Harper-Collins, 2002.

          Beasley, Maurine and Gibbons, Sheila Taking Their Place: A                                             Documentary History of Women and Journalism. State College, PA                     Strata Publishing Co. 2003

            Bernstein, Mark and Lubertozzi, Alex World War II On The Air.                          Naperville, IK: Sourcebooks, Inc. 2004

            Boynton, Robert S. ed. The New New Journalism New York: Vintage Books        2005

          Felder, Robert ed. Sports Illustrated Fifty Years of Great Writing 1954-2004       New York: Sports Illustrated Books, 2003

          Halberstam, David. The Best American Sports Writing of the Century.                             New York: Houghton-Mifflin, Co. 1999.

            Harrington, Walt.  Intimate Journalism Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications    1997

            Hartsock, John C. History of American Literary Journalism. Amherst,                               MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 2000

            McPhee, John. The McPhee Reader Farrar Straus and Giroux, 1992.

            Serrin, William & Judith, ed. Muckraking: The Journalism that Changed              America. New York: The New Press, 2002.

            Sims, Norman & Kramer, Mark  Literary Journalism. New York:                                      Ballantine Books, 1995

            Wolfe, Tom.  The New Journalism.  New York: Harper and Row, 1973.

            Zinsser, William On Writing Well (7th edition) New York: Harper Collins         2006

CALENDAR

            Week 1

·        Journalism as Literature/Literature as Journalism; The role of the reporter yesterday and today  

                             Assignment 1: Interview and Profile

          Week 2

·        Longer Form Writing

            Week 3

·        Can Journalism Be Literature?

                                    Assignment 2 Descriptive piece a la Wolfe

            Week 4

·        The Journalist as Historian

                                    Paper Topic Due

          Week 5

·        Women in Journalism

            Week 6

·        The Writer as Commentator

                                    Paper Outline Due

          Week 7

·        The Writer as Commentator

            Week 8

·        Sports Writing as Literature

·        First Draft Due

            Week 9

·        War Reporting

            Weeks 10-12

                                  Paper/ Discussions

GRADING

          Class Participation                                        15 points

          Hour Examination                                          20 points

            Written Assignments                                     25 points

            Paper                                                               40 points