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Lucinda D. Davenport, Jeremy Steele, Eric Freedman, David Poulson, Joe Grimm, and Joanne C. Gerstner

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.

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What's inside

Syllabus

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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Taught by expert instructors with a strong reputation in journalism and news coverage
Introduces core principles of journalism and professional ethics
Covers multiple forms of journalism (e.g., social media, multimedia, print, broadcast)
Emphasizes the importance of earning and keeping trust in journalism
Practical examples and best practices for using social media tools like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
May require prior knowledge or experience in journalism concepts and practices

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Reviews summary

Journalism fundamentals

Learners say this course is largely positive and well received as an introductory resource for journalism. It is engaging and full of informative presentations, readings, and activities on the ethics and types of journalism. Many reviewers found the instructors to be knowledgeable, relatable, and supportive.
Assignments are helpful for practicing journalistic skills and receiving feedback.
"Important to understand how to develop a story / news, respecting the good practices of journalism, in addition to the structure that a story / news should have, especially to hold the reader's attention / involvement."
"A very good assignment on considering ethics in journalism."
The course is well-structured and easy to follow.
"Clear, pleasant voices, perfect video lengths, and availability of transcripts help the learning process."
The course places a strong emphasis on the ethics of journalism.
"Not only does it moulds us within ethical framework but also helps to judge the news content and journalists around us and hence, filter out shoddy piece of fiction that gets circulated in the name of journalism."
The instructors are knowledgeable, experienced, and enthusiastic about journalism.
"Ph.D. Lucinda D. Davenport, Instructor Joe Grimm, and Sports Journalist in Residence Joanne C. Gerstner."
"The values professed by the teachers of the Michigan State University are very simple and at the same time very clear."
Ethics are a core component of this course and are presented in a clear and helpful way.
"Fundamental principles of journalism are real pillars on which to stand in order to properly document, collect and share true, verifiable and complete information in its community."
"Great first step towards the new dynamic world of ethical News."
The course content is comprehensive and covers a wide range of journalism topics.
"Very thorough introduction to what news is."
"Covers the types of news and provides an introduction into generating and refining ideas for news articles."
"Well-structured and well documented with case studies that guide the students and allow them to understand the current challenges in the profession of journalism in the age of social networks and new technologies."
For those with some experience in journalism, this course may be too basic.
"Too basic."
"The course met my expectations and was much better in fact. It was informative and opened several new doors to Journalism. I believe this will be a great stepping stone for my career and thank Michigan State for granting me this opportunity."
"but what was taught was very basic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in What is news? with these activities:
Read 'The Elements of Journalism' by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel
Gain a deeper understanding of the core principles and values of journalism by reading and reflecting on this classic work.
Show steps
  • Read and summarize key chapters of the book
  • Discuss the book's concepts and their relevance to contemporary journalism
Organize and Review Course Materials
Regularly review and organize notes, assignments, and readings to enhance comprehension and recall of course materials.
Show steps
  • Review lecture notes and readings
  • Summarize key concepts and ideas
  • Create flashcards or concept maps
Review Journalism Ethics
Review the ethical principles of journalism, such as accuracy, fairness, and objectivity, to deepen your understanding of the foundations of professional journalism.
Browse courses on Journalism Ethics
Show steps
  • Read and summarize key articles on journalistic ethics
  • Identify and discuss common ethical dilemmas faced by journalists
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Learn Multimedia Storytelling Techniques
Explore tutorials and online resources to develop skills in storytelling through various multimedia formats, such as video, audio, and data visualization.
Show steps
  • Identify and follow online tutorials on multimedia storytelling techniques
  • Experiment with different multimedia tools and platforms
Create a News Article on a Local Issue
Report on a local issue or event by researching, interviewing sources, and writing a news article that adheres to journalistic standards of accuracy and fairness.
Browse courses on News Reporting
Show steps
  • Identify and research a newsworthy local issue or event
  • Gather information through interviews, observations, and document review
  • Write a news article in the inverted pyramid style, including a strong lead, supporting details, and quotes from sources
  • Edit and revise the article for clarity, accuracy, and conciseness
Discuss Current Events with Peers
Engage in regular discussions with peers to share perspectives, analyze news events, and reflect on the role of journalism in society.
Show steps
  • Meet with peers to discuss current events and news stories
  • Share different perspectives and viewpoints
  • Analyze the credibility and reliability of news sources
Produce a Social Media Campaign for a Non-Profit
Design and implement a social media campaign to raise awareness and support for a local non-profit organization.
Browse courses on Social Media Marketing
Show steps
  • Research and identify the target audience and their social media behavior
  • Develop a social media strategy, including content calendar and engagement plan
  • Create engaging and informative social media content
  • Monitor and evaluate the campaign's performance and make adjustments as needed
Contribute to Open Source Journalism Projects
Engage in open-source journalism projects, such as data analysis, fact-checking, or collaborative reporting, to gain practical experience and contribute to the field of journalism.
Show steps
  • Identify open-source journalism projects
  • Contribute to data collection, analysis, or reporting
  • Collaborate with other journalists and researchers

Career center

Learners who complete What is news? will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists represent organizations to the public, and help to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders. They need to be able to understand the needs of both the organization and the public, and to communicate effectively with both groups. This course helps students to develop a strong understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and explores the different types of journalism and their purposes.
Broadcast News Analyst
Broadcast News Analysts present and analyze news events for television or radio audiences. This course gives students a background in professional journalism and the elements of effective storytelling, as well as an understanding of journalistic values and ethics. Students will explore the forms of journalism and their purposes, and may be able to apply their knowledge to their own broadcast analyses.
Media Relations Specialist
Media Relations Specialists represent organizations to the media, and help to build and maintain relationships with journalists. They need to be able to understand the needs of both the media and the organization, and to communicate effectively with both groups. This course helps students to develop a strong understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and explores the different types of journalism and their purposes.
Reporter
Reporters research, write, and edit news stories for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. They must be able to find and verify information, and to write clearly and concisely. This course helps students to build a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and explores the different types of journalism and their purposes.
Photojournalist
Photojournalists use photographs to tell stories. They work for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets, and their work can be found in print, online, and on television. This course helps students to develop the skills they need to become effective Photojournalists, including an understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and the ability to use photography to tell stories.
News Producer
News Producers are responsible for the day-to-day production of news content for television or radio stations. They work with reporters, editors, and other staff to ensure that news stories are accurate, fair, and engaging. This course helps students to develop the skills they need to become effective News Producers, including an understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and the ability to manage a team of journalists.
News Director
News Directors oversee the production of news content for television or radio stations. They are responsible for deciding what stories are covered, how they are covered, and when they are aired. They must have a deep understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and be able to effectively manage a team of journalists. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills they will need to become effective News Directors.
Journalist
Journalists write, edit, and present news stories for print, broadcast, or online media. They must know how to research and fact-check, and how to write clearly and concisely. This course helps students to build a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and explores the different types of journalism and their purposes.
Social Media Manager
Social Media Managers are responsible for managing an organization's social media presence. They create and curate content, engage with followers, and track the results of their efforts. This course helps students to develop the skills they need to become effective Social Media Managers, including an understanding of journalistic values and ethics, and the ability to use social media to effectively communicate with audiences.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation for software, hardware, and other products. They must be able to understand complex technical information and translate it into clear and concise language. This course may be useful for students who want to become Technical Writers, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to write clearly and concisely.
Web Content Writer
Web Content Writers create and edit content for websites. They must be able to write clearly and concisely, and to understand the needs of their audience. This course may be useful for students who want to become Web Content Writers, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to write clearly and concisely.
Editor
Editors oversee the production of written content for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. They work with writers, reporters, and other staff to ensure that content is accurate, fair, and engaging. This course may be useful for students who want to become Editors, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to effectively manage a team of journalists.
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Specialists represent organizations to government officials and the public. They need to be able to understand the needs of both the organization and the public, and to communicate effectively with both groups. This course may be useful for students who want to become Public Affairs Specialists, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to effectively communicate with audiences.
Speechwriter
Speechwriters write speeches for public figures, such as politicians, business leaders, and celebrities. They need to be able to understand the needs of their audience, and to write speeches that are clear, concise, and engaging. This course may be useful for students who want to become Speechwriters, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to effectively communicate with audiences.
Marketing Specialist
Marketing Specialists develop and implement marketing campaigns for businesses and organizations. They need to be able to understand the needs of their target audience, and to develop and implement effective marketing strategies. This course may be useful for students who want to become Marketing Specialists, as it will provide them with a foundation in journalistic values and ethics, and help them to develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with audiences.

Reading list

We've selected 21 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in What is news? .
Classic in the field of journalism and provides a comprehensive overview of the essential elements of the profession. It valuable resource for students and professionals alike.
Classic guide to writing style. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to improve their writing skills.
Provides a practical guide to using social media for journalists. It covers everything from how to create and manage social media accounts to how to use social media to report and engage with audiences.
Classic in the field of journalism and provides a comprehensive guide to the art of news writing. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to improve their writing skills.
A comprehensive guide to the principles and practices of news reporting and writing, covering topics such as news gathering, interviewing, writing, and editing.
Provides a contemporary overview of the ethical issues that journalists face. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about the ethical challenges of journalism in the digital age.
Provides a step-by-step guide to the news reporting and writing process. Covers topics such as gathering information, structuring a story, and writing leads and headlines.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the investigative journalism process. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about how to conduct and write investigative stories.
Provides clear and accessible explanations of news values, media ethics, legal issues, and other challenges faced by journalists on a daily basis.
Provides a forward-looking perspective on the future of journalism. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the profession.
Provides a critical look at the state of education in America. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to understand the challenges facing journalism in the 21st century.
A comprehensive overview of the digital journalism landscape, exploring the challenges and opportunities of reporting in the digital age.
An analysis of the ways in which technology is changing the journalism industry, including the rise of citizen journalism and the decline of traditional news organizations.
A speculative look at the future of journalism, exploring the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
A practical guide to the tools and techniques of digital reporting, including data journalism, podcasting, and video storytelling.
An examination of the ethical challenges facing journalists in the digital age, including fake news, misinformation, and the spread of hate speech.

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