MCA281

URBAN COMMUNITY JOURNALISM

Terms offered
4
Data refreshed
Jun 30, 2026

Description

This class represents a melding of practical and academic approaches to journalism and combines the knowledge on the street with the knowledge of the academy and high level journalism. Students will connect regularly to the local community and produce publishable products. After several weeks devoted to reporting skills, this class will turn its focus to the city of Worcester and the Telegram and Gazette newspaper as representatives of urban America and urban journalism. The class will meet four or five times at the newspaper (transportation provided) to speak with the editors and reporters in business, criminal justice, sports, and the arts. As part of their work, students will write two stories based on their reporting on the Worcester community, with the aim of publishing them in the Telegram and Gazette. Note that this part of the course will require time off campus (again, transportation will be provided).

Syllabi

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Offerings and forecast 2020–2023

2020
2023
Sections by year and season
YearFallSpringSummerIntersession
2030 2030 Fall: 20% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 6 fall terms since 2021. Department course count falling about 9% per year. 2030 Spring: 11% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 1 of 7 spring terms since 2020. 2030 Summer: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 9 summer terms since 2018. 2030 Intersession: 8% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 6 intersession terms since 2020.
2029 2029 Fall: 21% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 6 fall terms since 2021. Department course count falling about 7% per year. 2029 Spring: 11% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 1 of 7 spring terms since 2020. 2029 Summer: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 10 summer terms since 2017. 2029 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017.
2028 2028 Fall: 22% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 6 fall terms since 2021. Department course count falling about 6% per year. 2028 Spring: 11% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 1 of 7 spring terms since 2020. 2028 Summer: 5% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 11 summer terms since 2016. 2028 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017.
2027 2027 Fall: 23% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 6 fall terms since 2021. Department course count falling about 5% per year. 2027 Spring: 10% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 1 of 7 spring terms since 2020. 2027 Summer: 5% chance, high confidence. Offered in 0 of 12 summer terms since 2015. 2027 Intersession: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017.
2023 1 section Not offered Not offered Not offered
2022 1 section Not offered Not offered Not offered
2021 1 section Not offered Not offered Not offered
2020 Not offered 1 section Not offered Not offered
Forecast Under 15% 15–39% 40–69% 70–89% 90%+ Not enough history
Fall Spring Summer Intersession More sections Not offered No data

Meeting times

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Credit-bearing sections of MCA281
TermProfessorTypeCreditsEnrollmentCRN
Fall 2023Mike R. ElflandLecture1 8 of 20 enrolled21130
Fall 2022Mike R. ElflandLecture1 11 of 20 enrolled21130
Fall 2021David P. NordmanLecture1 11 of 20 enrolled28299
Spring 2020Ronald E. SchachterLecture1 15 of 20 enrolled37984