JOUR 2302 Politics and the Press
Note to Journalism minors only: This course satisfies the requirement for an elective with " critical" orientation. Presidential campaigns get all the attention, but state and local politics are the beating heart of American democracy. From mayoral and gubernatorial campaigns to Congressional primaries, local races offer a unique window into what the body politic is thinking, hoping for, and worried about. For journalists, down-ballot elections offer unique considerations and opportunities. With the 2026 elections as a backdrop, including a high-profile Massachusetts governor's race and closely watched mid-terms, this course will examine the ethics, traditions, and practices of local campaign journalism. The class will take a critical look at reporting past and present and put students to work as political journalists themselves. Note: This course was formerly titled " Political Journalism".
Course overview
- Department
- Journalism
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.43 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.86 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 1
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Scott Helman | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 7 of 8 |