Weissman School of Arts and Sciences

Department Teams Up with Gotham Gazette 

New York City voters are more informed thanks to the students who enrolled this summer's Topics in Journalism: Political Reporting (ENG/JRN 3900). The students reported on City Council races for the Gotham Gazette, an online public policy magazine. From Hollis, Queens, to Weeksville, Brooklyn, students interviewed nearly 50 candidates for City Council, including Speaker Christine Quinn. Each student covered a district, attending political debates, talking to nonprofit leaders and polling residents.

The course "opened up an incredible vehicle for me," said student Dan Compitello, a CUNY Baccalaureate candidate.  "It was an amazing feeling to be able to sync with the assignments, wrangle interviews, pressure hard and detailed questions on unassuming candidates, assemble it into content, and write in ways I haven't fully explored until now."

Students also had the opportunity to write for the Gazette's blog, The Wonkster. In this medium, students reported exclusives and provided color commentary on the races they were assigned.

"It was amazing to see how serious the students took their responsibility as a public servant," said Adjunct Lecturer Katina Paron who taught the class in conjunction with Gotham Gazette's City Government Editor Courtney Gross. "They learned not only how to report and write, but also how to be edited in a professional setting, " Paron said. For many Baruch scholars the class provided them with their first opportunity to be published in a mainstream publication. The website is read by 125,000 residents, public policy officials, students and academics from around the world.

The Stories:

In Eastern Queens, A Weprin Wants to Change Jobs
by Joana Mangune

Racing to Represent Long Island City
by Miguel Soberanis and Courtney Gross

Two Challengers Take on the Speaker
By Aaron Kinchen


Eight Candidates Run in a District Marked by Change
By Dan Campitello


Gowanus Canal Looms over District 39 Race
By Douglas A. Hinnant


Debating Who Can Best Preserve Northeast Queens
By Cindy Gorenstein


The Blog Postings:


Yes 39, There is a Republican Party (and a Green One Too)
By Douglas A. Hinnant


A Fight Over Private School in Brooklyn
By Douglas A. Hinnant


A Debate -- Smackdown Style
By Dan Compitello


One Candidate Down...
By Dan Compitello


Debate Access Denied
By Aaron Kinchen

The City University of New York