PUB AFF 177Truth and Consequences: Problems in Contemporary American Journalism
Public Affairs · 4 units · Undergraduate upper division (100-199)
American journalism faces multiple crises such as fake news, alternative facts, false equivalence, the Big Lie, fast-spreading disinformation, and relentless economic pressures, all of which predated the presidency of Donald Trump but were exacerbated by him. Public trust in the media is at near-record lows. Consideration of how this happened, what can be done about it, and the duty of citizenship when concept of truth is disputed. Examination of American media by a veteran New York Times correspondent and editor, with regular guest lectures from senior media and polling figures. Readings drawn from current books and publications; regular short writing assignments culminate in a final essay diagnosing the media ills and make concrete suggestions for improvement.
Letter grading.
When it runs
- Winter 2026
- Winter 2027
Scheduled, not typical — from UCLA’s Schedule of Classes, which publishes Fall 2025 through Spring 2027 and nothing before it.
Requisites
UCLA lists no requisites for this course.
Requires
Everything that has to come before this course, not just the courses named in the requisite above.
Nothing — this is an entry point.
Unlocks
What this course is a requisite for, and what those courses lead to in turn.
No course in the catalog lists this as a requisite.