Exploring the World of Journalism
In an era defined by rapid news cycles, social media influence, and evolving technologies, understanding how journalism works — and why it matters — has never been more important. Exploring the World of Journalism brings together faculty from Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism (SoCJ) for a dynamic series examining the principles, challenges, and innovations shaping today’s media landscape.
Across six sessions, participants will explore fairness, balance, and bias in the news; examine how the journalism industry is changing; and learn practical strategies for fact-checking information online and on social media. Additional workshops delve into writing persuasive op-eds, communicating science and health effectively, and using creativity and applied improvisation to strengthen public engagement.
Grounded in SoCJ’s commitment to ethical, inclusive, and evidence-based communication, this series invites learners to think critically about how information is produced, shared, and interpreted—and how each of us can become more informed consumers and responsible communicators in a complex media environment.
Workshop DetailsWHEN: Tuesdays from 1:45 - 3:00pm WHERE: Stony Brook Union Auditorium WHO: Current OLLI members who selected the workshop with their Spring 2026 registration. Others are welcome to attend individual sessions on a space-available basis. |
| Date | Title | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2/10/2026 | Fairness, Balance and Bias in the News | Howard Schneider |
| 2/17/2026 | The Changing News Industry | George Giokas |
| 2/24/2026 | Fact-checking Information Online and on Social Media | Jonathan Anzalone |
| 3/3/2026 | Finding Friction: Embodiment, Artistry, and Technology | Margaret Schedel |
| 3/10/2026 | Writing Op-eds | Musa al-Gharbi |
| 3/24/2026 | Serious Play: Science Communication Training through Applied Improvisation | Elizabeth (E Beth) Bojsza |
Presenters
About the School of Communication and Journalism
The School of Communication and Journalism’s goal is to create a fairer, more just, and more rational world through engaging, ethical communication and media. It prepares future leaders, practitioners, and scholars in communication, journalism, and media, and integrates education, research, and public engagement to advance effective science and health communication. It is home to the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting and the Center for News Literacy, and works in close partnership with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, strengthening the role of ethical, inclusive, and fact-based communication in addressing society’s most complex challenges.