HSEM2044H: Enemies of the People? Journalism & Democracy in the United States

This seminar explores the evolution of journalism's role in the democratic process – from the nation's founding through today’s contentious relationship between President Trump and the press. Students will examine critical questions confronting journalism and democracy in the digital age: the growth of partisan news and decline in original reporting; the role of social media in facilitating propaganda and “fake news”; and concerns about over-commercialization. At the same time, students will place these issues in historical context and consider a number of normative and critical theories concerning journalism’s proper role in our civic life. At a time when trust in both journalism and government are at an all-time low, this seminar explores how we arrived at this point and where we might be heading.

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