NEW INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING COURSE LAUNCHED BY HOWARD UNIVERSITY'S CENTER FOR JOURNALISM & DEMOCRACY AT SEVEN HBCU CAMPUSES
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Posted By: Catalina Deossa on August 02, 2024 The Center for Journalism & Democracy (CJD) at Howard University is set to launch a pioneering multi-campus course in investigative journalism this Fall. The course, titled "Investigative Journalism I," will be offered simultaneously at seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This innovative program aims to equip students with advanced investigative journalism skills and will be led by Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the founder of CJD. Hannah-Jones, who also serves as the Knight Chair in Race and Journalism at Howard University's Cathy Hughes School of Communications, will deliver lectures every Monday from Howard University. Students at the participating HBCUs—Morehouse College, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina Central University, Savannah State University, Texas Southern University, and the University of the District of Columbia—will join the lectures virtually. Each participating school will conduct its own lab sessions on Wednesdays, where students will practice the skills and techniques discussed during Hannah-Jones' lectures. Florida A&M University and Morgan State University are expected to join the course in 2025, broadening the reach of this groundbreaking initiative. The course is part of a broader effort by the CJD consortium, established to enhance journalism education at HBCUs and to cultivate a new generation of investigative journalists committed to democratic values. The course aims to address a significant gap in HBCU journalism programs, as many students have previously lacked opportunities to study investigative journalism due to limited resources. By offering this course, CJD hopes to equip nearly 80 students with essential investigative skills, including accessing public records, utilizing data, conducting investigative interviews, and performing archival research. This initiative underscores the crucial role of investigative journalism in democracy—highlighting abuses of power and uncovering injustices that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Dr. Kali-Ahset Amen, the executive director of CJD, spearheaded the two-year effort to establish the HBCU Investigative Journalism Consortium and develop the cross-campus course. Her work included creating the Charlotta Spears Bass Faculty Institute, which facilitated training for faculty members and collaborative curriculum development. Nikole Hannah-Jones expressed her excitement about the course, emphasizing its importance in empowering HBCU students to investigate and address issues within their communities. She acknowledged the extensive planning and coordination involved in creating the program and expressed gratitude to Dr. Amen, the CJD staff, and the partner schools for their dedication. As part of the course, students will participate in a three-day virtual boot camp over the summer to build foundational skills in writing and journalism. The course will also feature readings and analyses of impactful investigative reporting, further preparing students to tackle complex investigative projects and contribute meaningfully to democratic discourse. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Catalina Deossa
Archaeologist, CHRONOS SAS Florida Int`l Univ class of 2011 Member Since April 2024 |
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