About this course: Journalists develop information through interviews and sources. The most successful journalists quickly master these important skill sets. The production of journalism relies on several elements: newsgathering, interviewing sources, researching and trying to find as much information as possible. The course will also teach you how to where to find information, interviewing skills and how to process information from various sources for publication.
Created by: Michigan State University
Taught by: Joanne Gerstner, Sports Journalist in Residence
Michigan State University School of Journalism
Taught by: Jeremy Steele, Specialist
Michigan State University School of Journalism
Taught by: David Poulson, Instructor
School of Journalism
Taught by: Eric Freedman, Instructor
School of Journalism
Taught by: Joe Grimm, Instructor
School of Journalism
Taught by: Lucinda D. Davenport, Director & Professor
School of Journalism
| Basic Info |
Course 2 of 5 in the
Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization.
|
| Commitment | 4 weeks of study, 1-3 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Earning and keeping trust
How - and where - journalists obtain information can determine if their news reports will be deemed credible and trustworthy by their audience. Finding the best sources for information and quotes is a process conducted by every professional journalist. You wil...
4 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Identifying and reviewing reporting obstacles
Graded: Working with sources
WEEK 2
Types of sources
Successful journalists understand the need to bring in different types of information and voices to create a strong and accurate news report. You will learn how journalists carefully consider sourcing, and how to effectively and ethically interact with sources...
4 videos, 4 readings
Graded: Seeking diversity
Graded: Sourcing areas for journalists
WEEK 3
Interviewing
The interview is one of the most powerful tools of journalistic newsgathering. You will learn how journalists use interviews, the different forms it can take, how you can best prepare for it, and how to be sensitive to those who have been through trauma. A goo...
4 videos, 1 reading, 4 readings
Graded: Developing questions
Graded: Interviewing strangers on the street.
Graded: The interview
WEEK 4
Tools for finding sourcing
Technology and moving beyond typical sources is letting journalists reach more sources than ever before. You will learn how to use crowdsourcing, social media, press conferences and online resources as valuable tools to enhance your reporting.
4 videos, 4 readings
Graded: Tools for Finding Sources
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
Michigan State University
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 150 years.
One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Amazing course - I learned valuable knowledge; how to craft effective interviews, avoid stereotyping, build credibility, what news literacy is and how to promote it, the importance of portraying as survivors as opposed to victims, how to use social media and crowd-sourcing and actually a lot more.
Instructors were succinct, clear, professional each with easy to follow and pleasant cadence. Slideshows during presentations were very helpful. Overall I have come away with a great understanding of how to gather and develop the news in a wide range of situations.
I have signed up for the next course in the specialization. I definitely will be taking all of them, these classes have given me extraordinary value in my skills.
Excellent, the instructors teach in an almost mersmerising (sorry will have to spell check that later) way. Totally fascinated by the course as I intend to write articles in the long run. I was many years ago a commercial photographer, however my pictures seem to tell a story and they are not photoshoped. So its envitable that i could not set the world on fire in that realm, but with the journalism course, I can see a way forward. Joe Grim has to have a mention just simply his saying thank you at the end of each lecture, its not something you see from people these days, then there are some very interesting personalities teaching in this course. I expect to come back and do the full specialisation at the end of this.
Great course! I learned a lot about many aspects of journalism, including how to effectively interview and collect information/opinions and ask good questions. Overall, amazing course and I hope to take the next courses of this series.
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Very good module. I'm glad of being participating on this journalism program. The platform is a breeze and the instructors from the Michigan State University School of Journalism have prepared an entertaining and very informative course. I'm happy!