COMM 364Data Visualization for Journalists

3 credits · Communications · Penn State

In this course, students will learn to recognize and appreciate data-driven stories. They will produce stories from data by demonstrating proficiency in sorting, filtering and using simple functions of Excel. Students will use the U.S. Census website to find and download demographic data, file a federal Freedom on Information Act or state right-to-know request and use tools such as Structured Query Language, Chartbuilder, Tableau and Carto to query databases as well as build charts and maps. Students will also learn how data and visualizations, including graphics and maps, have become integral parts of story-telling in all journalism platforms -- print/digital, broadcast and multimedia.