College of Communication College of Communication The University of Texas at Austin School of Journalism School of Journalism

Alternative Media – InCite Web Publication

J349 (07535) MW 12:30 – 2 CMA 4.316

Mercedes Lynn de Uriarte, PhD (American Studies) Office: CMA 5.150 471-1979

merlyn@mail.utexas.edu Office hours: MW 2-3:30 or

Fall 2009 by appointment

Note: E-mail protocol below

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Alternative Media – InCite Web Publication

J349 (07535) MW 12:30 – 2 CMA 4.316

Note: Course requires complete Roget’s Thesaurus for in-class use---hardback copies available at ½ Price Books for about $7---and Random House Webster’s Pocket Grammar, Usage and Punctuation. Associated Press Style Book will be made available

for classroom use.

Alternative Media – InCite Web Publication

This cross-listed, interdisciplinary survey course for graduate and undergraduate students, explores the journalistic, sociological and historical role of the alternative press. It also provides students with skills and the opportunity to produce InCite—a web publication driven by intellectual diversity in the tradition of The Nation, In These Times, Progressive, Mother Jones and other similar independent publications.

One of the goals of the course is to encourage enriched cross talk between students that will enrich the experience of both graduates and undergraduates and contribute toward better experiences for graduate TAs. Each group reads some books selected for specifically for their level, but see the same documentaries. The syllabi interlock across topics. The reading material and documentaries in all cases provides context and intellectual diversity needed to produce inclusive independent journalism.

Historically, the alternative press leads the mainstream press by six months to a year or more in covering critical information that a self-governing population should know. In the case of the link between cancer and cigarette smoking, it led by forty years, cocaine and Contra connection, by a decade. George Seldes, often considered a father of the alternative press, left mainstream journalism to found In Fact, which anchored his work in investigative reporting using public documents as his primary source. Years later he trained I.F. Stone to do likewise. Victor Navasky who worked for many years as the editor and publisher of The Nation, followed the tradition of that magazine, established in 1865 and the longest continuously publishing periodical. In These Times, Mother Jones, Progressive and many others (see list in Library website index) followed these models..

These publications flourish in times of national crisis or when politicians abuse their power or the Constitution is threatened. For example, immediately after 9/11 circulation of these publications grew dramatically. They are consistent advocates for social justice. The past eight years offers a contemporary example of contrast between mainstream and alternative press. InCite seeks to publish in this tradition. It can be found at http://www.incitealternative.com

Grades are computed on a point system to coincide with the plus and minus grade guidelines. Undergraduates publish one heavily researched feature article dealing with a social justice issue of their choice (200); one shorter news story drawn from the current (2010) issue of Censored, which they localize and update (100). They are listed as reporters on the masthead. All students are expected to provide the visuals for their articles (60) They are also expected to assist in production(100) Additionally, they are expected to engage in focused, organized discussion of assigned readings. (40)

Both graduate student and undergraduates are expected to work cooperatively with an assigned photo-journalist and web designer.

Note: E-mail exchanges are no substitute for personal interaction during office hours. If you have not visited office hours over the course of the semester, please do not ask for a letter of reference. I will not know you well enough to write one. When you send an e-mail, please allow at least 24 hours for response during the week. If I am able to respond sooner, I will. I do not assure e-mail responses on the weekends.

Required Texts:

Alternative Journalism by Chris Atton and James Hamilton

Elements of Journalism by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosensteil

Possessive Investment in Whiteness by George Lipsitz

Additionally, some handouts will be provided

J349 Alternative Media – InCite Web Publication

Syllabus

Note: Syllabus schedule subject to change to accommodate guest speakers or respond to news events.

Week I 08/26 Introduction – Overview and Goals

Reading:

Alternative Journalism

Week II 08/31 Background

Reading:

Alternative Journalism, Intro and Chapter 1 and 2

09/02 Alternative Journalism, Chapters 3, 4 and 5

Week III 09/07 Social Construction of Reality: Reading Power Environments

Labor Day

Reading:

Possessive Investment in Whiteness, Intro, Chapters 1 and 2

09/09 Documentary: Pete Seeger: the Power of Song

Selection of reporting topic for feature article

Week IV 09/14 Social Construction of Reality: Reading Power Environments

Reading:

Possessive Investment in Whiteness, Chapter 3

09/16 Possessive Investment in Whiteness, Chapter 5

Documentary: The Unforeseen

Video: Community Discussion: East Side Development

Pitch research story selection fleshed out proposal with preliminary sources

Week V 09/21 Social Construction of Reality: Reading Power Environments

And Community Fractures

Reading:

Possessive Investment in Whiteness, Chapter 5

Documentary: Voices of A People’s History of the United States

09/23 Interpersonal Divide, selections (handout)

Week VI 09/28 Technological Construction of Reality: Community Fractures

Other Aspects

Reading:

Interpersonal Divide, selections (handout)

Download, Print out , Bring to class

Atlantic magazine, July/August 2008

“Is Google Making us Stoopid?” (link provided)09/30 Presentation: Joey Castillo, web designer and consultant

Week VII 10/05 Social Construction of Reality: Power Retention

Reading:

Savage Inequalities (selections, handout)

Download, print out and bring to class

Jonathan Kozol, Harper’s Magazine, 2005

Week VIII 10/12 Social Construction of Reality: Power Retention

Reading

Download, print out and bring to class

Jonathan Kozol, Harper’s Magazine, 2005

10/14 Editorial meeting: story discussion; editorial feedback, lab

10/19 Deadline First rough draft due

Week IX 10/19 Social Construction of Reality: Power Retention

Reading

Handout to be announced

10/21 Documentary: Bill Moyers Journal: Of Civil Rights and Wrongs

Week X 10/26 Social Construction of Reality: Censorship by Omission

Reading:

Censored 2010, 1-12 censored stories

10/28 Censored 2010, 13-25 censored stories

Deadline: Polished draft due 11/02

Week XI 11/02 Social Construction of Reality: Censorship by Omission

Reading:

Censored 2010, (selections)

11/04 Elements of Journalism, Chapters 1,2,3

Editorial meeting :Selection of Censored story, pitch

Deadline: First rough draft of second article due 11/16

Week XII 11/09 Social Construction of Reality: Economic Destabilization

Reading:

Elements of Journalism, Chapters 4,5,and 6

11/11 Elements of Journalism. Chapters 7, 8, 9 and 10

Week XII 11/16 Social Construction of Reality: Economic Destabilization

Reading:

Elements of Journalism

Documentary: Profits Before Patients

11/18 Editorial meeting; story discussions, lab

Deadline: Polished 2010 Censored story due 11/23

Week XIII 11/23 Social Construction of Reality: Social Destabilization

Week IVX 11/30 Production week

Sign off: on scheduled exam day announced by registrar later in semester

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