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XC‑473: Justice Media co-Lab

🎓 • Boston University

Course Overview

Interdisciplinary practicum course where students collaborate with journalists, advocates, and researchers to develop data-driven investigations, visualizations, and tools related to justice, equity, and accountability.

Teaching Impact

Semesters Co-Instructed: Fall 2022, Fall 2024, Spring 2025

This course has been offered since 2017, originally under the number XC‑410. I have co-instructed it three times in collaboration with other faculty. I do not oversee this course.

Learning Objectives

Students engage in collaborative journalism through:

  1. Data-driven Journalism: Using data analysis for investigative reporting
  2. Cross-disciplinary Collaboration: Working with journalists, advocates, and researchers
  3. Visualization for Impact: Creating compelling data stories for public audiences
  4. Justice-focused Research: Investigating issues of equity and accountability
  5. Community Engagement: Connecting academic work with real-world advocacy
  6. Media Innovation: Exploring new forms of digital storytelling

Course Structure

  • Collaborative Teams: Students work with external journalists and advocates
  • Investigation Projects: Multi-week data-driven investigative pieces
  • Public Presentation: Work showcased to community audiences
  • Cross-college Integration: Students from journalism, data science, and other fields
  • Community Partnership: Direct engagement with advocacy organizations

Key Focus Areas

  • Investigative Methods: Research techniques for accountability journalism
  • Data Ethics: Responsible handling of sensitive information
  • Visual Storytelling: Effective communication of complex data
  • Public Interest: Using technical skills for social accountability
  • Media Innovation: Exploring new forms of civic journalism

Cross-College Integration

As an XCC course, this offering brings together students from multiple BU schools, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration around justice and media innovation.

Community Impact

Projects from this course contribute to ongoing conversations about justice, equity, and accountability in the Boston area and beyond.