Journalism Course Joins the Certificate in Environmental Writing
In a new collaboration between iSEE and the Department of Journalism, JOUR 473: Environmental Journalism has been added to the Certificate in Environmental Writing (CEW). Taught by Cassandra Troy, Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism, this course will give students the tools they need to effectively and thoughtfully report on environmental topics.
With her experience working in nonprofits and university sustainability roles, Troy offers a unique perspective that budding environmental writers will have plenty to learn from.
While developing an interest in how to effectively communicate about climate change in graduate school, Troy came to understand the polarizing nature of the environmental beat. Whether discussing specific environmental solutions, like electric-powered vehicles, or reactions to pro-environment policies, the media plays a key role in influencing the public’s opinion on environmental topics. To that end, thoughtful environmental reporting is crucial.
“Most people probably aren’t looking at environmental data in their free time,” Troy said. “I think the public deserves quality information about the environment, and a lot of that quality information is going to come from journalists.”
In JOUR 473, Troy wants students to walk away with the skills to talk to experts, recognize suspicious information, interpret complex topics, and report in a way that is accessible and thoughtful. Throughout the semester, students will put what they’ve learned into practice by writing a variety of news stories.
“Students get to tailor assignments to their interests,” Troy said. “They choose a focus topic for the semester and all their major story assignments relate to that topic. That way, they have a chance to develop some expertise that is more relevant to what interests them.”
In the past, JOUR 473 students have tackled hot topics ranging from environmental justice to air quality concerns to humanity’s ecological interactions with the world around us.
Troy encourages students to exercise nuanced perspectives when analyzing environmental topics. “I ask students to think about how they would report on the solutions to an environmental problem, or come at it from an environmental justice angle, or even think about the historical context. It’s important to think about whether or not environmental risks and benefits are experienced equally by different people.”
In her current research, Troy studies on the effects of positive media messaging, in which news that spotlights climate change solutions and success stories may be utilized to foster hope and collective action in audiences. This work is notable because the vast majority of existing research on the environmental beat examines the efficacy of threat-based messaging, in which the consequences of climate change are emphasized. This topic is a notable point of discussion in JOUR 473; students in the class will grapple with questions about the broader environmental news media landscape and how it may succeed or fail in engaging different audiences.
The motto of the CEW, “turning data into narrative,” is foundational to this course. Students are asked to draw on data and outside information in order to place things like events and organizations within the context of a broader environmental topic. The course also covers data visualization, which can be essential to effective environmental journalism.
Gillen Wood, English Professor and Director of the CEW, believes this course will empower developing environmental writers and teach them practical skills for their future careers. “Professor Troy brings a wealth of experience and energy to the teaching of environmental journalism and, as with all our CEW instructors, welcomes students from all across campus to her class,” he said.
JOUR 473 is designed to be a positive and approachable learning experience for students of all backgrounds, even those who have never taken a journalism course before. “I provide resources for journalistic writing, so students who don’t have that experience have some support,” Troy said.
JOUR 473 is planned to be offered every spring semester, including Spring 2026.
“The CEW student community is an eclectic and vibrant mix of environmental communicators,” Wood said, “and with the addition of JOUR 473 to the range of course options for the certificate, students can now take advantage of iSEE’s new partnership with the School of Journalism.”
View the JOUR 473 course listing here >>>
Learn more about the CEW and its courses here >>>
— Article by iSEE Communications Intern Anjali Yedavalli