Foundations of Journalism Theory

Journalism theory often gets treated as background noise in professional training programs. Practitioners learn the inverted pyramid, the five Ws, and source verification rules - but rarely stop to ask where those conventions came from or who they serve. This course takes a different starting point.

What the course covers

We begin with the normative theories that shaped Western press systems - libertarian, social responsibility, and developmental models - and trace how each one maps onto actual newsroom practices. Students read primary sources: Hutchins Commission documents, Walter Lippmann on public opinion, and critiques from scholars like James Carey and Robert McChesney.

From there we move into agenda-setting, framing theory, and gatekeeping. Each concept gets tested against contemporary case studies: how major outlets framed the 2008 financial crisis, how digital platforms have disrupted traditional gatekeeping roles, and what that means for editorial accountability.

Framing is not bias in the pejorative sense - it is the structural condition of all reporting. Understanding it is the first step toward more deliberate editorial choices.

Assessment and workload

Weekly response papers of 400-600 words form the core of the assessment. There is one longer analytical essay at the end of the term - 2,500 words - focused on applying a single theoretical framework to a real-world journalism case of the student's choice. No group projects.

• Reading load: approximately 60-80 pages per week
• Discussion forum participation required twice weekly
• One live seminar session per week, 90 minutes

The course suits students who already have some exposure to media studies or communication history, though it is not a prerequisite.