Fall 2010

Reading for Writers: Journalism The Iraq War as Nonfiction Story - LLST 3028 A

Professor(s):  Andrew Meier 
Day(s):  F
Time(s):  12:00 pm - 2:40 pm 
CRN:  4084
Credits:  4
Prerequisite(s):  Prerequisites: juniors and seniors only.

Course Description
This course is a critical reading of America’s war in Iraq as a nonfiction “story.” It examines a broad range of nonfiction narratives of the war from cartoons to memoirs to political and military narratives, as well as blogs and photographic and videotaped accounts. Close textual reading addresses questions of narrative (first v. third person, use of profiles, literary nonfiction v. military reporting) and reporting (sourcing, balance, ethics). Readings are followed by weekly short writing assignments (2-3 pages in length), in order to understanding the range, and limitations, of war reporting. Students also write a final, 10-page “war report,” grounded in journalistic research: analytic reading, interviews, electronic sources, state and private archives, and library work.