What is news?

This course is part of Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization

Instructors: Joanne C. Gerstner

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45,524 already enrolled

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,183 reviews

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,183 reviews

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Assessments

17 assignments¹

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Taught in English

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This course is part of the Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in 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.

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.

What's included

4 videos1 discussion prompt

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.

What's included

7 videos3 readings7 assignments2 discussion prompts

7 videos Total 28 minutes

The Power of Credibility 4 minutes
The importance of accuracy 4 minutes
Finding balance in a world that tilts 3 minutes
Transparency and dealing with mistakes 6 minutes
Is seeing believing? 6 minutes
Sensationalism in journalism 2 minutes
What is propaganda? 2 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Global journalistic ethics 10 minutes
National Press Photographers Association guidelines 10 minutes
Readings in plagiarism 10 minutes

7 assignments Total 124 minutes

Credibility, fairness...and you 10 minutes
Earning and keeping trust 6 minutes
Is seeing believing? 8 minutes
Reflection on sensationalism 30 minutes
Is it propaganda or journalism when ... 10 minutes
Is it plagiarism? 30 minutes
Trust and credibility quiz 30 minutes

2 discussion prompts Total 20 minutes

Why does credibility matter to you? 10 minutes
Reflection on Transparency 10 minutes

You will learn how to reach your audience and community as a journalist, by exploring news reports, interest and importance, and values and ethics.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments1 discussion prompt

3 videos Total 20 minutes

News Elements & Values 8 minutes
First things first: your lead 5 minutes
Point-of-view journalism 7 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Frameworks for POV journalism 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 60 minutes

Elements of a good lead 30 minutes
Connecting community and content 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

What news report ideas can you find? 10 minutes

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.

What's included

6 videos1 reading5 assignments3 peer reviews1 discussion prompt

6 videos Total 38 minutes

Local news 4 minutes
Features 6 minutes
Sports 6 minutes
National and international news 10 minutes
Science and environmental news 2 minutes
Opinion writing 10 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Advice from a journalism recruiter 10 minutes

5 assignments Total 150 minutes

What is Sports Journalism? 30 minutes
Pre-lecture question: Can opinions be news? 30 minutes
Reflection on your path in journalism 30 minutes
opinion writing 30 minutes
News report ideas and development 30 minutes

3 peer reviews Total 180 minutes

Crafting an idea for a news report 60 minutes
Graded ethics challenge 60 minutes
Brainstorming local news ideas with peers 60 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Discussion: Does government control your media? 10 minutes

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.

What's included

5 videos1 reading3 assignments1 peer review

5 videos Total 31 minutes

A 2-minute history of journalism 2 minutes
Engaging online audiences 4 minutes
Crowdsourcing in journalism 9 minutes
Social Media Tools for Journalists 11 minutes
Doing social media journalism 5 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

How social media makes issues go viral 10 minutes

3 assignments Total 90 minutes

Why we should engage our audience? 30 minutes
How to use engagement strategies 30 minutes
Crowdsourcing your content 30 minutes

1 peer review Total 120 minutes

Social media assigment 120 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(290 ratings)

Joanne C. Gerstner

Michigan State University

5 Courses 67,374 learners

Eric Freedman

Michigan State University

5 Courses 67,374 learners

Offered by

Michigan State University

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5 stars
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3 stars
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2 stars
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1 star
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Reviewed on Oct 10, 2021

Excellent introductory course. Journalism is not something I have studied before and this was a perfect introductory course. The presenters were engaging and authentic.

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2020

Very good because it is taught about all the basics of journalists. Various case studies also train me to be able to think more with the mindset of a journalist. I highly recommend this class.

Reviewed on Aug 20, 2020

Very rich in content and directional! The idea of what is news is no longer a brain cracking one, but well understood to the point of liking and practicing news writing. Good one!

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