Journalism in 20Th-Century America Brown 316

1American Studies 137b Fall 2014 Journalism in 20th-Century America Brown 316 Mr. Whitfield M W Th 10-10:50

The institution of journalism has been central to democratic theory and practice and will be scrutinized in both historical and contemporary terms. The seminar will examine what American journalists have done, how their enterprise has in fact conformed to their ideals, and what the consequences have been for the political culture.

1) Aug 28 Th Introduction: Discussion of the meaning of freedom of expression No assignment

2) Sept 3 W Bad news: Continue discussion of the First Amendment No assignment

JOURNALISM AND REALITY

3) Sept 4 Th What is truth? Discuss: Walter Lippmann, Public Opinion, parts I-IV

4) Sept 8 M Continue discussion of Public Opinion, parts V-VIII

5) Sept 10 W Complete discussion of Public Opinion

6) Sept 11 Th What is reality? Discuss: Daniel J. Boorstin, The Image, chapters 1-3

7) Sept 15 M Continue discussion of The Image, chapters 4-6

8) Sept 17 W Complete discussion of The Image

9) Sept 18 Th What was television journalism? Discuss: Edward J. Epstein, News from Nowhere, chapters 1-5

10) Sept 22 M Complete discussion of News from Nowhere, chapters 6-9

JOURNALISM AND LAW 2

11) Sept 23 T Forgive us our press passes Discuss: Sydney Pollack (dir.), Absence of Malice

12) Sept 24 W FIRST EXAMINATION

13) Sept 29 M Full court press Discuss: Fred W. Friendly, The Good Guys, the Bad Guys, and the First Amendment, chapters 1-8 (on LATTE)

14) Oct 1 W Complete discussion of The Good Guys, the Bad Guys, and the First Amendment, chapters 12-14 (on LATTE)

15) Oct 2 Th The Papers and the papers: lecture on New York Times v. United States (1971) No assignment

16) Oct 6 M "Who gives a goddamn about freedom of the press?" (President Nixon to Counsellor John Dean, on the White House tapes) Continuation of lecture on the Pentagon Papers

17) Oct 8 W Completion of discussion of the Pentagon Papers Discuss: Edward Jay Epstein, Between Fact and Fiction, chapter 4 (on LATTE)

JOURNALISM AND PROPERTY

18) Oct 13 M The grand acquisitor: lecture on the legacy of William Randolph Hearst No assignment

19) Oct 15 W "If it bleeds, it leads" (tabloid motto): the legacy of Hearst, cont. No assignment

20) Oct 16 Th "American" Discuss: Orson Welles (dir.), Citizen Kane and Pauline Kael, "Raising Kane," in Kael et al., The Citizen Kane Book (on LATTE)

21) Oct 20 M Complete discussion of Hearst and Citizen Kane

22) Oct 22 W Pride and prejudice: lecture on Henry L. Mencken No assignment 3

23) Oct 23 Th Is journalism a profession? Discuss: Henry L. Mencken, "Journalism in America" in Prejudices: Sixth Series (on LATTE)

24) Oct 27 M Their masters' voice Discuss: Ben H. Bagdikian, The New Media Monopoly, part I

25) Oct 29 W Complete discussion of The New Media Monopoly, part II

JOURNALISM AND DEMOCRACY

26) Oct 30 Th The education of Lincoln Steffens: lecture on muckraking No assignment

27) Nov 3 M SECOND EXAMINATION

28) Nov 5 W "A fun guy to be with"--Roy M. Cohn on Senator Joseph R. McCarthy Discuss: Edwin R. Bayley, Joe McCarthy and the Press, chapters 1-2 (on LATTE)

29) Nov 6 Th Complete discussion of Joe McCarthy and the Press, chapters 6- 7 (on LATTE)

30) Nov 10 M Reflections in a bloodshot eye Discuss: Fred W. Friendly, Due to Circumstances Beyond Our Control, chapters 1-3 (on LATTE)

31) Nov 12 W White House watch: lecture on the Presidency and the press No assignment

32) Nov 13 Th "I heard the news today, oh boy" (J. Lennon-P. McCartney) Discuss: Carl Bernstein & Bob Woodward, All the President's Men, and Alan Pakula (dir.), All the President's Men

33) Nov 17 M Complete discussion of All the President's Men, and Epstein, Between Fact and Fiction, chapter 2 (on LATTE)

34) Nov 19 W Journalism against itself Discuss: Billy Ray (dir.), Shattered Glass

35) Nov 20 Th The young and the restless Discuss: David T. Z. Mindich, Tuned Out, chapters 1-4 4

36) Nov 24 M Complete discussion of Mindich, Tuned Out, chapters 5-7

TELEVISION AND DEMOCRACY

37) Dec 1 M What's wrong with this picture? Discuss: Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death, part I

38) Dec 3 W Complete discussion of Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death, part II

39) Dec 4 Th Origins of the Right Eric Alterman, Sound and Fury, chapters 1-3 (on LATTE)

40) Dec 8 M Conclusion No assignment

"What can I say about journalism? It has the greatest virtue and the greatest evil. It is the first thing the dictator controls. It is the mother of literature and the perpetrator of crap. In many cases it is the only history we have, and yet it is the tool of the worst men. But over a long period of time and because it is the product of so many men, it is perhaps the purest thing we have. Honesty has a way of creeping in even when it was not intended."-- John Steinbeck

Requirements

The third examination will be given during finals week, and will cover all material assigned and discussed since the second exam on November 3.

An ESSAY of eight to ten pages is also required. Keeping in mind John Steinbeck's notion of journalism as "the product of many men" and women (the best and the worst), you are expected to pick a significant figure in historical or contemporary journalism. Drawing on an autobiography, a memoir or a reliable biography (usually one book will suffice), profile that figure and assess his or her importance to the practice of journalism in the twentieth century. Or you may select an historic episode that discloses a problem confronting journalism and other mass media. The topic must meet with the instructor's approval. 5

The paper is due no later than Wednesday, December 10. No extensions of this deadline will be permitted, nor will any excuses (apart from medical reasons) be accepted.

WARNING: The grade assigned to the course paper will be dramatically reduced should glaring lapses of proofreading or errors of grammar appear. Please consult authoritative style sheets on usage. If you wish to have your essay returned with comments on it, you are expected to submit a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your paper.

A seminar depends for its success upon the full preparation and participation of everyone enrolled in the course. Contributions to class discussions from all students are expected; astuteness in discussions will be rewarded. Absenteeism--which the instructor alone defines--will not be allowed! If you must miss class, please inform me either by e-mail ([email protected]) or in person. Apart from exceptional circumstances, no laptops or cellphones may be used during class; they are distracting.

Aside from contributions to class discussion, the three essay exams and the paper will be weighed about equally in assessing a grade in this seminar, though a favorable thumb will be placed on the scales when academic improvement is evident.

Read carefully Section 3 of Rights and Responsibilities, to ensure that all work submitted in Amst 137b satisfies the criteria of academic integrity.

Any student who has a documented disability should meet with the instructor at the beginning of the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

The following books are available for purchase in the bookstore and have also been placed on reserve:

Bagdikian, Ben H. The New Media Monopoly Bernstein, Carl & Bob Woodward All the President's Men Boorstin, Daniel J. The Image Epstein, Edward Jay News from Nowhere Lippmann, Walter Public Opinion Mindich, David T. Z. Tuned Out Postman, Neil Amusing Ourselves to Death

All other works assigned are available on LATTE. office hours M W 1-2:30 and by appointment (ext. 63035) in Brown 314.