Skip to content
2025 Spring

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM - JRN232 Spring 2025


Course
Katerina Santurova
For information about registration please contact our admissions.

Investigative reporting is a demanding journalistic field that requires a combination of ever-changing digital research skills and old-fashioned shoe leather reporting. This course aims to introduce students to both components, so they could decide whether investigative journalism is the right path for them. They will learn about various types of tools available to investigative reporters and probe them in class assignments. The class will also engage in discussions about ethics related to investigative reporting, including source protection, use of hidden cameras, whistleblowing, and weighing in source intentions. Students will work in teams to report and write a final project either on a topic of their choice, or assigned by their lecturer.

Course Title

Course code: 232

Term and year: Spring 2025

Day and time: Friday, 8:15 – 11:00

Instructor: Mgr. Katerina Santurova, M.S.

Instructor contact: katerina.santurova@aauni.edu, +420 608179655

Consultation hours: one hour after class

 

Credits US/ECTS

3/6

Level

Intermediate

Length

15 weeks

Pre-requisite

Reporting I or Editing and Publishing I

Contact hours

42 hours

Grading

 Lettter Grade

1.   Course Description

Investigative reporting is a demanding journalistic field that requires a combination of ever-changing digital research skills and old-fashioned shoe leather reporting. This course aims to introduce students to both components, so they could decide whether investigative journalism is the right path for them. They will learn about various types of tools available to investigative reporters and probe them in class assignments. The class will also engage in discussions about ethics related to investigative reporting, including source protection, use of hidden cameras, whistleblowing, and weighing in source intentions. Students will work in teams to report and write a final project either on a topic of their choice, or assigned by their lecturer.

2.   Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

·       develop a practical and professional understanding of investigative reporting

·       gain an insight into the tools and reporting techniques used by investigative reporters

·       build on their existing reporting, interviewing, and writing skills

·       build on their critical thinking and problem solving skills, develop instincts for recognizing conflict of interest and corruption

·       develop teamwork skills

·       develop a continual learning mentality required of investigative reporters

·       learn about fast-developing investigative beats

 

3.   Reading Material

Required Materials

Recommended Materials

 

4.   Teaching methodology

The class content will be delivered through a combination of lectures, class discussions, assigned reading, practical in-class exercises, and homework team assignments. The students will also learn new research skills from several specialist guest speakers. The assigned reading listed in the schedule may be supplemented by newspaper and/or magazine stories and other short reading relevant to class topics.

5.   Course Schedule

Date

Class Agenda

Session 1

January 31

Topic: Introduction to Investigative Reporting

Description: How investigative journalism differs from other beats, what makes a project investigative, areas often covered by investigative reporters, getting a tip v. unearthing a story in a mass of data, importance of accuracy and verification in the light of potential consequences, avoiding personal bias.

Reading:

Assignments/deadlines: class participation

Session 2

February 7

Topic: Reporting for an Investigative Project

Description: Basic overview of research tools and reporting methods; importance of detailed note keeping, practical tips on avoiding technical issues, research storage, accurate interview transcripts and quoting; pitfalls of human memory; attention to detail and color; everyone deserves to react: approaching all sides to a story. 

Reading: All the President’s Men, Chapter 1-2

Assignments/deadlines: class participation

Session 3

February 14

Topic: How to Find and Interview People

Description: Overview of various tools used to profile and background a person, finding contact information for a story subject, approaching strangers, importance of being prepared for a one-time chance of interviewing a story subject. Real-life examples.

Reading: Relevant sections of the Bellingcat Toolbox and The Investigative Reporter’s Handbook; All the President’s Men, Chapter 3-4

Assignments/deadlines: Assignment 1: compile a list of backgrounding/research tools relevant for your country

Session 4

February 21

Topic: Finding Information about Businesses

Description: Overview of various business and corporate databases. What kind of business information tells a story.

Reading: Relevant sections of the Bellingcat Toolbox and The Investigative Reporter’s Handbook; All the President’s Men, Chapter 5-6

Assignments/deadlines: continue in compiling a list of business/corporate databases/tools relevant for your country

Session 5

February 28

Topic: Developing Sources, Source Intentions, Source Protection

Description: Gaining trust of your sources, keeping promises, asking cui bono when a tip is served on a silver platter, on the record/for attribution, on background, off the record. Relevant case studies.

Reading: All the President’s Men, Chapter 7-8

Assignments/deadlines: Assignment 1 due; Assignment 2: profiling/backgrounding a person or a business

Session 6

March 7

Topic: Trespassing, Ethics of Hidden Camera Use

Description: Highlights from the assignment 1 lists. A basic overview of legal protection of journalists, when secret taping is an acceptable reporting method, regional differences. Examples.

Reading: All the President’s Men, Chapter 9-10; NBCU Academy on, When To Use Hidden Cameras: https://nbcuacademy.com/hidden-cameras/

Assignments/deadlines: Class participation, working on assignment 2

Session 7

March 14

Topic: Introduction to Fact-Checking and Photo Verification, Detecting AI Images (Guest Speaker)

Description: Examples of fact-checking methods, importance of archiving, reverse image search, tips to tell real images from fakes.

Reading: Relevant section of the Bellingcat Toolbox; https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/ai-photos-identification#

Assignments/deadlines: Assignment 2 due, in-class deep fakes detection exercise

Session 8

March 21

Topic: Assignment Feedback Session

Description: Class discussion about their first reporting and writing assignments, feedback on edits. Work on rewrites. Creating teams and discussing story ideas for a final project.

Reading: All the President’s Men, Chapter 11-12

Assignments/deadlines: Gathering story ideas for a final project

 

Mid-term break

Session 9

April 4

Topic: Geolocation Methods (Guest Speaker)

Description: Introduction to tools and methods used to pinpoint a location in an image.

Reading: Relevant section of the Bellingcat Toolbox

Assignments/deadlines: In-class exercise

Session 10

April 11

Topic: Basics of Data Journalism and OSINT (Guest Speaker)

Description: Introduction to open source intelligence and data journalism

Reading: Relevant sections of the Bellingcat Toolbox, The NBCU Academy, Investigative Reporting 101: https://nbcuacademy.com/investigative-reporting/

Assignments/deadlines: In-class exercise, working on final projects

Session 11

April 18

Topic: Turning Reporting into a Compelling (Investigative) Story

Description: Using feature writing techniques in writing investigative pieces, avoiding overwhelming audiences with heaps of boring data, writing clearly about numbers. Discussion about successful examples.

Reading: All the President’s Men, Chapter 13-14

Assignments/deadlines: In-class exercise, working on final projects

Session 12

April 25

Topic: Whistleblowers and International Cooperation on Investigative Projects (Guest Speaker)

Description: The role of whistleblowers, how investigative journalists form networks to report massive document leak stories.

Reading: All the President’s Men, Chapter 15-16

Assignments/deadlines: Working on final projects

Session 13

May 2

Topic: Safety, Dangers of the Job, and Getting Sued and/or Jailed (Guest Speakers)

Description: Discussion about staying safe, potential threats, and libel law suits. Global and regional case studies.

Reading: The Judith Miller case: https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/judith-miller/

Assignments/deadlines: Final projects due

Session 14

May 9

Topic: Final Assignment Feedback Session

Description: Presenting and discussing final projects. Evaluating class goals and reviewing covered material. 

Reading: All the President’s Men, Chapter 17

Assignments/deadlines: class participation

6.   Course Requirements and Assessment (with estimated workloads)

Assignment

Workload (hours)

Weight in Final Grade

Evaluated Course Specific Learning Outcomes

Evaluated Institutional Learning Outcomes*

Attendance and In-Class Participation

42

30%

Activity in class discussions and exercises, ability to discuss assigned reading, ability to demonstrate understanding of class topics, attendance

2, 3

In-class Exercises

N/A (included in 42)

10%

Ability to demonstrate understanding of class topics  and use investigative reporting tools and reporting techniques introduced in class

1, 3

First Assignment  

8

15%

Ability to use research skills and demonstrate critical thinking skills

1, 2, 3

Second Assignment

30

20%

Ability to use investigative reporting tools and reporting techniques introduced in class, ability to work in a team, demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills, use reporting and writing skills

1, 2, 3

Final Project

70

25%

Ability to use investigative reporting tools and reporting techniques introduced in class, ability to work in a team, demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills, use reporting and writing skills

1, 2, 3

TOTAL

150

100%

 

 

*1 = Critical Thinking; 2 = Effective Communication; 3 = Effective and Responsible Action

7.   Detailed description of the assignments

Assignment 1:

Attendance and in-class participation

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area

Percentage

Active participation in class

50

Demonstrated understanding of class topics and assigned readings

50

Assignment 2:

In-class exercises

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area

Percentage

Demonstrated understanding of class topics

50

Active effort to use techniques and tools introduced in class

50

 

Assignment 3:

First Assignment: compile a list of backgrounding/research tools relevant for your country

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area

Percentage

Demonstrated understanding of class topics

50

Ability to complete projects

50

 

Assignment 4:

Second Assignment: profiling/backgrounding a person or a business

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area

Percentage

Actively pitching and discussing assignment ideas

20

Active effort to use tools and techniques introduced in class

20

Demonstrated ability to work in a team and contribute equally to a joint project

20

Ability to finish projects

20

Constructive approach to suggestions and critique

20

 

Assignment 5:

Final Project

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area

Percentage

Actively pitching and discussing assignment ideas

20

Active effort to use tools and techniques introduced in class

20

Demonstrated ability to work in a team and contribute equally to a joint project

20

Ability to finish projects

20

Constructive approach to suggestions and critique

20

8.   General Requirements and School Policies

General requirements

All coursework is governed by AAU’s academic rules. Students are expected to be familiar with the academic rules in the Academic Codex and Student Handbook and to maintain the highest standards of honesty and academic integrity in their work. Please see the AAU intranet for a summary of key policies regarding coursework.

Course specific requirements

There are no special requirements or deviations from AAU policies for this course.

 

Here is the course outline:

1. Introduction to Investigative Reporting

Jan 31 8:15am .. 11:15am

How investigative journalism differs from other beats, what makes a project investigative, areas often covered by investigative reporters, getting a tip v. unearthing a story in a mass of data, importance of accuracy and verification in the light of potential consequences, avoiding personal bias.

2. Reporting for an Investigative Project

Feb 7 8:15am .. 11:15am

Basic overview of research tools and reporting methods; importance of detailed note keeping, practical tips on avoiding technical issues, research storage, accurate interview transcripts and quoting; pitfalls of human memory; attention to detail and color; everyone deserves to react: approaching all sides to a story.

3. How to Find and Interview People

Feb 14 8:15am .. 11:15am

Overview of various tools used to profile and background a person, finding contact information for a story subject, approaching strangers, importance of being prepared for a one-time chance of interviewing a story subject. Real-life examples.

4. Finding Information about Businesses

Feb 21 8:15am .. 11:15am

Overview of various business and corporate databases. What kind of business information tells a story.

5. Developing Sources, Source Intentions, Source Protection

Feb 28 8:15am .. 11:15am

Gaining trust of your sources, keeping promises, asking cui bono when a tip is served on a silver platter, on the record/for attribution, on background, off the record. Relevant case studies.

6. Trespassing, Ethics of Hidden Camera Use

Mar 7 8:15am .. 11:15am

Highlights from the assignment 1 lists. A basic overview of legal protection of journalists, when secret taping is an acceptable reporting method, regional differences. Examples.

7. Introduction to Fact-Checking and Photo Verification, Detecting AI Images (Guest Speaker)

Mar 14 8:15am .. 11:15am

Examples of fact-checking methods, importance of archiving, reverse image search, tips to tell real images from fakes.

8. Assignment Feedback Session

Mar 21 8:15am .. 11:15am

Class discussion about their first reporting and writing assignments, feedback on edits. Work on rewrites. Creating teams and discussing story ideas for a final project.

9. Geolocation Methods (Guest Speaker)

Apr 4 8:15am .. 11:15am

Introduction to tools and methods used to pinpoint a location in an image.

10. Basics of Data Journalism and OSINT (Guest Speaker)

Apr 11 8:15am .. 11:15am

Introduction to open source intelligence and data journalism,

11. Turning Reporting into a Compelling (Investigative) Story

Apr 18 8:15am .. 11:15am

Using feature writing techniques in writing investigative pieces, avoiding overwhelming audiences with heaps of boring data, writing clearly about numbers. Discussion about successful examples.

12. Whistleblowers and International Cooperation on Investigative Projects (Guest Speaker)

Apr 25 8:15am .. 11:15am

The role of whistleblowers, how investigative journalists form networks to report massive document leak stories.

13. Safety, Dangers of the Job, and Getting Sued and/or Jailed (Guest Speakers)

May 2 8:15am .. 11:15am

Discussion about staying safe, potential threats, and libel law suits. Global and regional case studies.

14. Final Assignment Feedback Session

May 9 8:15am .. 11:15am

Presenting and discussing final projects. Evaluating class goals and reviewing covered material.

Back to top