<div><p>The traditional approach to studying American photojournalism explains the <I>what </I>and <I>who </I>of photojournalism — what events and developments occurred, what notable images were taken, and who took them. Without neglecting those concerns, <I>American Photojournalism </I>emphasizes the <I>why</I>. It explains how contemporary photojournalism is grounded in three large ideas: the desire to witness and record historical events and important people, the belief in photography’s power to advance social justice, and the embrace of a universal humanism. Cookman argues that contemporary photojournalists are strongly influenced by these three ideas, and that these ideas have become the central tenets of the profession.</P></DIV>