A 1970 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Steve Weinberg discusses his new book A Journalism of Humanity: A Candid History of the World’s First Journalism School on Tuesday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.

The University of Missouri School of Journalism is the oldest such school in the country and celebrates its centennial this year.

Weinberg, an investigative reporter who returned to teach at Missouri, has uncovered the many-faceted history of its School of Journalism. A Journalism of Humanity balances the dynamics of the university that set the school’s course with the external forces that shaped journalism and society. True to journalism, it reveals the school’s flaws as well as its virtues.

Bringing his investigative expertise to bear, Weinberg tells the school’s complex story through thematic chapters. He draws on internal documents and correspondence to uncover the politics of the school from its founding to the present—the struggles over resources as well as the constant battle to balance scholarly ambitions with professional mission. In the course of his chronicle, he depicts an institution ahead of its time in professional education but often lagging in dealing with social issues such as race and gender.

Weinberg’s account embraces faculty and staff members, students and alumni, supporters and detractors, as it covers all professional sequences taught at the school. It captures the freewheeling debate that has been a hallmark of the school and includes the perspectives of women and minorities who all too often were marginalized.