Course Code
Academic Year
Social issues journalism characteristically emerges at local and society-wide levels at once and this course will emphasize the importance of the community-based story as a flashpoint for wider social concerns. The justice system, education system and social services are key contexts for this reporting-oriented course and practical knowledge of accessing these systems will be a priority. Issues of diversity, poverty, racial difference, sexual orientation, and developmental, psychological and physical abilities are among those that require reporting that is sensitive to historical and social contexts while not verging into advocacy positions. Such reporting is also seen to employ a wide range of informational sources outside those of government and the justice system such as charities, advocacy groups and citizen movements.