About this course: This course will guide you through the basic elements of professional journalism and the news values and ethics of covering real-world issues and events. The overview and examples of the types of news coverage helps introduce the different types of journalism, such as social media, multimedia, print, visual and broadcast, and how professional journalists effectively use each format.
Created by: Michigan State University
Taught by: Joanne Gerstner, Sports Journalist in Residence
Michigan State University School of Journalism
Taught by: Eric Freedman, Instructor
School of Journalism
Taught by: Joe Grimm, Instructor
School of Journalism
Taught by: David Poulson, Instructor
School of Journalism
Taught by: Jeremy Steele, Specialist
Michigan State University School of Journalism
Taught by: Lucinda D. Davenport, Director & Professor
School of Journalism
| Basic Info | Course 1 of 5 in the Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Welcome to the Michigan State School of Journalism!
You will learn about the School of Journalism, our award-winning faculty and the world-class atmosphere of Michigan State University. We are a special place, where amazing things happen every day.
4 videos
- Video: This is the world of journalism
- Video: The Michigan State School of Journalism
- Video: Meet your School of Journalism faculty
- Video: This is Michigan State University
- Discussion Prompt: Why credibility matters
WEEK 2
Earning and keeping trust
In every module of this course, we will go deeper into journalistic values and ethics. In many ways, these values are what distinguish journalism from the many other kinds of content. You will learn how to move beyond creating content to creating journalism through understanding and using these values.
7 videos, 3 readings, 6 practice quizzes
- Video: The Power of Credibility
- Discussion Prompt: Why does credibility matter to you?
- Video: The importance of accuracy
- Video: Finding balance in a world that tilts
- Reading: Global journalistic ethics
- Practice Quiz: Credibility, fairness...and you
- Video: Transparency and dealing with mistakes
- Practice Quiz: Earning and keeping trust
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection on Transparency
- Video: Is seeing believing?
- Reading: National Press Photographers Association guidelines
- Practice Quiz: Is seeing believing?
- Video: Sensationalism in journalism
- Practice Quiz: Reflection on sensationalism
- Video: What is propaganda?
- Practice Quiz: Is it propaganda or journalism when ...
- Reading: Readings in plagiarism
- Practice Quiz: Is it plagiarism?
Graded: Trust and credibility quiz
WEEK 3
Connecting with audiences and communities
You will learn how to reach your audience and community as a journalist, by exploring news reports, interest and importance, and values and ethics.
3 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz
- Video: News Elements & Values
- Discussion Prompt: What news report ideas can you find?
- Video: First things first: your lead
- Practice Quiz: Elements of a good lead
- Video: Point-of-view journalism
- Reading: Frameworks for POV journalism
Graded: Connecting community and content
WEEK 4
Forms of journalism and their purposes
Understanding the ways journalism happens is just as important as knowing how to do it. There are many different types of journalism, as our world is filled with so many things to communicate about: sports, cars, celebrities, movies, war, business, real estate, pets, art...if you can name it, you can do journalism about it.
6 videos, 1 reading, 3 practice quizzes
- Video: Local news
- Peer Review: Brainstorming local news ideas with peers
- Video: Features
- Video: Sports
- Practice Quiz: What is Sports Journalism?
- Video: National and international news
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion: Does government control your media?
- Video: Science and environmental news
- Practice Quiz: Pre-lecture question: Can opinions be news?
- Video: Opinion writing
- Practice Quiz: Reflection on your path in journalism
- Reading: Advice from a journalism recruiter
Graded: Crafting an idea for a news report
Graded: opinion writing
Graded: News report ideas and development
Graded: Graded ethics challenge
WEEK 5
Journalism happens in interesting ways
Journalists are working in new and exciting places such as social media. Technology has allowed the profession and journalists to do their jobs in innovative ways. You will learn about how technology impacts journalism, and best practices for blogs, Twitter, Instagram, Periscope, WeChat, Facebook and other realities of engaging in social media.
5 videos, 1 reading, 3 practice quizzes
- Video: A 2-minute history of journalism
- Video: Engaging online audiences
- Practice Quiz: Why we should engage our audience?
- Reading: How social media makes issues go viral
- Practice Quiz: How to use engagement strategies
- Video: Crowdsourcing in journalism
- Practice Quiz: Crowdsourcing your content
- Video: Social Media Tools for Journalists
- Video: Doing social media journalism
Graded: Social media assigment
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
I tend to not have a positive view of online education in general, but am pleasantly surprised by this course. Joe Grimm in particular is inspired and inspiring, particularly when covering the ethical foundations of journalism and keeping up with media's changes in response to evolving technology. Furthermore I now have more respect for the aspirations of media as a profession, as a means to serve and engage with the public rather than necessarily advance an agenda. I've also noticed that a few of my classmates seem to embody the "nobility" of the profession with them as evidenced by some social-justice oriented news ideas that I hope they some day complete.
I found it informative and a good place to start.
Great Course to establish a basis for your journalistic knowledge.
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All Teachers teavh excepytionally well... this was my first experience of online course and it was wonderfull.