English 301PR - The Press and the Presidency

In this course, we will pinpoint six moments in American history when great journalism focused on the presidency has driven the national story. We will augment that study of the past with a steady examination of the present, seeking to understand how the 45th president's assault on the press has prompted many to reconsider -- and to reconfirm -- the role of a vigorous, questioning media in the success of a democratic republic. Students will do both historical analysis and contemporary journalism, employing the tools of strong reporting, graceful prose and pithy analysis to shed light on the presidency in a time of peril.

Prereq: ENGL-202 Intro to Journalism.