In this course, students create two in=depth journalistic articles that must use data as a foundational component to provide context for the analysis and commentary from their human sources. Students think critically about when and what data are needed, assess data sources appropriate to the information needed, and identify the context in
which data are produced and used. Because the assignments are open-ended and self-directed, students are responsible for finding their own data sets that best match the stories they are trying to tell. This might also require submitting open records requests to governmental agencies. Using spreadsheet software, students identify and proficiently use appropriate software tools to proof and clean data, to make it amenable to further analysis, and visualize data, and compare attributes of a data set.

Achieves technology student learning outcomes a, and c.

View JOU 4970 in the Academic Catalog

Approved for Data Intensive Course Designation starting Spring 2026.