Current “Invents”
Erica J. Seifert
ejx2@cisunix.unh.edu
Office: M, W 2:30-3:30

Course Description
We will explore and discuss major events and movements in the news today and will in addition seek to closely examine how these events are covered and interpreted by the media. How do reporters and editors interpret events we read about in print, broadcast, and online media? In what ways is the news merely
reported and in what ways is it “invented”?

Course Objectives
• Students will gain a deeper appreciation of what is going on in the world around them by seeking multiple news sources
• Students will learn to think critically about their news sources and recognize bias in the media
• Students will learn to compare and contrast diverse viewpoints in the media today
• Students will learn to recognize the ways in which news reporters become newsmakers
• Students will research the deep history of events in the news today in order to better understand the events they read about

Expectations
Students are expected, above all, to show respect for themselves, their classmates, and their instructor.
This means that the “no discount” policy will be adhered to at all times. The class space must be a
comfortable space for all students. Moreover, students must work to cooperate in group projects and try to
learn from one another.
Students are also expected to prepare for every class meeting by completing their work in a manner that
reflects their very best effort.

Assessment:
Homework: 20%
Participation: 20%
Debate: 10%
Midterm Paper: 20%
Final Project: 30%

Assignments:
• For every class, students must read the “hard news” sections of at least 1 major newspaper. At
the beginning of every class, students will be asked about the news and will be expected to report.
In lieu of reading a newspaper, students may opt, instead, to listen to 1 hour of NPR or BBC news
on the radio.
• Every Thursday students will analyze two or more news articles as a group. These articles will be
distributed to the class every Tuesday and students must come prepared to discuss the articles in
detail on Thursday. Preparation will include written analysis (1 paragraph) of the article. The
written analysis must include information about the history of the event and must explore the
article’s bias and point of view. (see below for specific instructions)
• Every Tuesday the class will participate in a debate about one event in the news. Debate teams
will be chosen on Tuesday prior to debates and each team will select a captain. The entire group
will be responsible for researching the topic and writing debate points using news articles. (see
below for details)
• In addition to nightly homework, students will be expected to complete two larger assignments.
On Monday, July 10, students will submit a midterm paper (see handout). At the conclusion of
the term, students will submit a final project editorial (See handout). Assessment of these
assignments is detailed above.

Homework:
1. For every class, students are expected to read the “hard” news sections of a major newspaper.

2. Students are also expected to thoroughly read the articles assigned and write assessments of those
articles. In these brief assignments students will 1) summarize the article, 2) examine the history of the
event, and 3) assess the source. The following focus questions will aid in these assignments:
• Summary: ask Who? What? When? Where? Why?
• History: ask what is it I need to know in order to understand this event?
• Analysis: 1. who wrote this article? 2. what is the publication? 3. where are the publisher and
reporter located? 4. Is there spin? 5. What is the spin?


Debate:
Students will receive individual marks for debate based on written preparation and oral presentation.
Each debate group is responsible for submitting a debate outline, which details the points the groups
intend to make, and at least three pieces of evidence to support each point. In addition, each individual
member of the group is responsible for submitting his/her own written notes for the points he/she intends
to make during the debate. The team captain will be responsible for collecting information from group
members and organizing participation during the debate.


Midterm Paper
On Monday, July 10, students will submit a 2-page paper in which 3 articles are analyzed. This paper
will be similar to the homework assignments, but will ask students to compare three articles about one
event.


Final Project:
At the conclusion of the term, students will submit their own editorial piece about a single event. This
assignment will require that students read a number of articles, from many different sources, about one
event. Students will then form opinions and attempt to “spin” the event themselves in order to formulate a
coherent argument, or editorial position, about the event. Students will use the spin techniques they have
analyzed throughout the semester in order to uncover one of the many truths about the event to be
analyzed. Students will be given some time during class to complete this assignment, but will also be
expected to make time outside of class.


Week 1 (June 27, June 29)
Tuesday: Introduction
Discuss expectations, assignments, assessment, and evaluation
Assignment for Thursday: assigned articles

Thursday: assigned articles, Immigration debate groups
Assignment for Tuesday: prepare for immigration debate

Week 2 (July 4, July 6)
Tuesday: IMMIGRATION (Short Class)
Immigration debate
Assign midterm paper
Assignment for Thursday: Immigration and class in the European Union

Thursday: IMMIGRATION
Assignment for Tuesday: Homeland Security debate
Work on midterm paper

Week 3 (July 11)
Tuesday: HOMELAND SECURITY debate
MIDTERM PAPER DUE IN OFFICE BY MONDAY MORNING 8:00 AM
Assignment for Tuesday: War in Iraq debate

Week 4 (July 18, July 20)
Tuesday: IRAQ WAR debate
Assignment for Thursday: articles on torture

Thursday: TORTURE (Short Class)
Assign final project
Assignment for Tuesday: torture debate

Week 5 (July 25, July 27)
Tuesday: TORTURE debate
Work on final project
Assignment for Thursday:

Thursday: AID TO AFRICA
Work on final project
Assignment for Tuesday: sub-Saharan Africa and Sudan

Week 6 (Aug 1, Aug 3)
Tuesday: AID TO AFRICA
Work on final project
Assignment for Thursday: final projects due

Thursday: Conclusions
Final projects due
Present final projects