courses

Duke students interested in communications are encouraged to take courses in media and public policy through the DeWitt Wallace Center and the Sanford Institute of Public Policy. Undergraduates often major in public policy studies while broadening their perspective through the study of history, political science, economics, literature, and the natural sciences. Graduate students earning masters' degrees in public policy through the Sanford Institute may take media-related courses as electives, in preparation for careers in the increasingly complex world of journalism. Through the Center's curriculum, students may study the role of the media in a democratic society, as well as basic reporting, editing and writing skills. The Center also offers opportunities for summer internships at media organizations at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. What follows is a summary of communications-related courses and programs offered through the Center and other departments at Duke University.

American Communities: A Photographic Approach. A documentary approach to the study of American communities through individual photographic projects centered around a community of the student's choosing. Alex Harris, Margaret Sartor

Advanced Documentary Photography. An advanced course for students who have taken PPS 176S or have had substantial experience in documentary fieldwork. Students complete an individual photographic project and study important works within the documentary tradition. Alex Harris

Free Press and Public Policy. Policy problems and conflicts involved in applying First Amendment principles to print and electronic journalism. Topics include libel, obscenity, privacy, national security, fair trial, and antitrust.

Information, Ethics and Policy. The course examines the development of the Internet as a medium of communication and the policies and regulations that have emerged both internationally and nationally (in the United States). It addresses the political aspects of 1) the access to information on the Internet and 2) the more controversial issue of Internet content. The course covers such issues as the role of the Internet in the global flow of information, Internet censorship and regulation, political issues of Internet infrastructure development, e-commerce and Internet demographics. Kenneth Rogerson

Intellectual Property: Law, Policy and Practice. Intellectual property is one of the dominant facets of the global economy and an organizing theme at the intersection of culture and commerce. This course will prepare students to think about and participate in the regime of law, policy and practice that shapes the world of technology, communications and art. It addresses the impact of intangible assets--copyrights, trademarks, patents and their corollaries--on media, on science and on trade. From a broader perspective, the course examines the benefits, costs and underlying assumptions contained in governmental grants of such rights. And, finally, it invites students to question the effects of such grants on foundational aspects of the democratic ideal, such as the right of personal expression and the notion of private property versus the public «commons.»? The course provides a basic grounding in the elements of intellectual property law, the public policy underpinnings of the law, and the industries and activities most involved in or affected by them. Emphasis is placed on media-oriented issues, including film and television, music and digital content, but some discussion of science-related issues (especially patent issues) is included. The format is lecture and discussion, and usually incorporates several guest lecturers. Kip Frey

Magazine Journalism. A seminar exploring the storytelling techniques of magazine journalism. Themes include some of the best examples of historical and contemporary writing for magazines, with some discussion of how to achieve visual impact in print. Students will develop experience in different kinds of magazine writing, collaborate on a magazine produced by the class, hear from guest speakers, and have the opportunity to contribute to campus publications. Robert Bliwise

Magazine Journalism and Public Policy. This advanced seminar focuses on how magazine writing covers public policy issues. Students will works on projects in a variety of areas and subjects to hone writing skills. Robert Bliwise

Media and Democracy. An examination of the role and impact of news media in democratic settings, including examples from the United States, Europe and Africa. Readings, lectures and class discussions will focus on coverage of politics, economics, conflict and violence, and public policy issues; the effects of markets and public opinion polls; and the impact of news coverage on elections and public policy. Ellen Mickiewicz

Media and Democratization in Post-Communist Societies. Explores the issues of media access, subsidization and transborder broadcasting in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the context of Western theory and the legacy of Soviet media theory. Emphasizes the impact of television on electoral politics. Ellen Mickiewicz

Media and National Security. Analyzes media and security in recent years and for broad dimensions and specific cases. Looks at the influence of political leadership, organizational factors in media structures, the roles and norms of journalists, definitions of security and rationales for military interrventions, impact of media technology and the "CNN effect." Ellen Mickiewicz

Media and Politics: The Clash of Technology, Ownership and Ideology. An exploration of the state of the American print, broadcast and online media. The course will focus on issues in contemporary press and politics, ranging from questions of bias to the impact of 24/7 cable and internet news on the political process; including blogs, legal/privilege issues, ownership and case studies covering major timely media-related events. Judy Woodruff

Media Policy and Economics. This course uses economics to examine the production and consumption of information in communication markets and the impacts of media on society. Broad themes covered include the ways that markets transform information into news, the operation of the marketplace of ideas, the impact of technology on communication, the economics of the Internet, and media impacts on elections and governing. Class will examine the array of policy tools used to influence communication markets. Jay Hamilton

News as a Moral Battleground. Students will explore the challenges to responsible and honorable journalism, including corporate ownership, media consolidation, conflicts of interest, uncertain values, the proliferation of high-tech media, and the abuse of the First Amendment. Susan Tifft

News Writing and Reporting. Seminar on the theories and practice of reporting, writing and editing news and feature stories. Each week students produce news stories based on coverage of real events and critique each other's work in class. Practicing journalists are invited as regular guests. Kenneth Rogerson

Policy Journalism and Media Studies Capstone. This course is the capstone for the Policy Journalism and Media Studies Certificate Program. Students must participate in a media-related internship prior to taking the course. During the course students will integrate what they have learned in their practical experience with the theories and concepts that are important in order to understand how the media interacts with politics, economics and society. Kenneth Rogerson

Policy Wars: Liberalism and Conservatism in America. This course will explore the history of and contemporary tensions between the ideological divide in America. David Brooks.

Reporting Public Policy Issues. Covering government, politics, and legislation in an adversarial climate. Through readings, discussion and their own reporting on public policy issues, students will examine a range of topics, including: the journalistic line between skepticism and cynicism, between analysis and editorializing; media conflicts of interest from corporate ownership and the impact of ratings and bottom-line considerations; standards of fairness, privacy and competence; spin control and counter-spin; and the insider cult. Susan Tifft

Telecommunications Policy and Regulation. Students explore broadcast policies, the rise of cable television, spectrum allocation and authorization, and developments in common carrier telecommunications. Mark Prak

Television Journalism. A seminar on the profession of television journalists. In addition to discussions of the theories and concepts of television broadcasting, the course will focus on both writing and editing for electronic media as well as issues of production. Clay Johnson

Television News and Public Policy will deal with ways to explain and argue complex public policy issues, using television. Students will produce, shoot, edit and voice a five to seven minute television piece over the course of the semester, using television cameras and non-linear editing equipment. In order to produce this capstone piece, students must use research, reporting and writing skills learned in the study of Public Policy to successfully complete the project, which will be critiqued by faculty engaged in the field of study most concerned with the selected area of the documentary piece. Other classwork will concentrate on sources and methods of doing the reporting necessary to complete the video project. Prerequisite: PubPol 118S "Television Journalism."

Violence and the Media. The course focuses on research relevant to exploring controversies over the depiction of violence by the media and attempts to deal with these controversies in both the public and private sectors. James Hamilton

Watchdogs and Muckrakers: Investigative Journalism and Public Policy. Using historical as well as current examples, students will examine how the media have exposed and explained issues vital to the public, exploring along the way journalistic tools and hurdles such as anonymous sourcing, hidden cameras, disinformation, the Freedom of Information Act, and computer-assisted reporting. Susan Tifft

Who Owns the Press: News in an Age of Media Consolidation. Through historical and analytical readings, discussion and research projects, students will examine how media ownership has evolved from its political beginnings to family businesses, newspaper chains, international press barons, and cross-owning corporations; how the recent consolidation of ownership has changed how news is selected, gathered and disseminated; and what these developments mean for democratic institutions and what people know. Susan Tifft

Film and Video Program. Students may work toward a certificate in film and video, while declaring a major in an academic department. This program introduces students to the critical analysis of new communications technologies: film, photography and television. Practical experience in film and videotape production is also available through course work and internship. Courses toward the certificate are offered in 12 academic departments and taught by 20 faculty members.