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What is news?

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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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

Fundamentals of news and journalism ethics

According to students, this course provides a good introduction to the field of journalism. It is highlighted as being particularly well-suited for beginners with little to no prior knowledge. Learners appreciate that the course covers fundamental concepts like news values and offers a strong focus on journalistic ethics, which many find valuable. While it provides a broad overview of different journalism types (print, broadcast, social media), some students feel it lacks depth in specific areas and could benefit from more practical exercises. Overall, it serves as a solid theoretical foundation.

Highlights key values and ethical considerations.

"The section on ethics was particularly valuable and made me think critically."

"Learned a lot about the responsibility journalists have to earn and keep trust."

"The focus on values and ethics throughout the modules stood out as crucial."

Excellent starting point for novices.

"I had no background in journalism and this course was a great place to start."

"Perfect introduction to the world of news and how it functions."

"Very accessible for someone new to the topic and easy to follow."

More theoretical than hands-on application.

"While informative about the theory, I didn't feel equipped with practical skills to actually go out and write a news story."

"Could use some assignments where we practice writing leads or interviewing techniques."

"It's strong on theory and understanding, but light on practical skill-building exercises."

Explores many types but lacks deep dives.

"It covered many forms of journalism (print, social, etc.), but I wish it went deeper on specific types like broadcast or investigative."

"A good survey course to understand the landscape, but not for specialization."

"Gives you the lay of the land in journalism, but you'll need more courses for detailed skills or specific areas."

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

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Gain a deeper understanding of the core principles and values of journalism by reading and reflecting on this classic work.

View The Elements of Journalism, Revised and Updated... on Amazon

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Read and summarize key chapters of the book
Discuss the book's concepts and their relevance to contemporary journalism

Organize and Review Course Materials

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Regularly review and organize notes, assignments, and readings to enhance comprehension and recall of course materials.

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Review lecture notes and readings
Summarize key concepts and ideas
Create flashcards or concept maps

Review Journalism Ethics

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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

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Read and summarize key articles on journalistic ethics
Identify and discuss common ethical dilemmas faced by journalists

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Learn Multimedia Storytelling Techniques

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Explore tutorials and online resources to develop skills in storytelling through various multimedia formats, such as video, audio, and data visualization.

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Identify and follow online tutorials on multimedia storytelling techniques
Experiment with different multimedia tools and platforms

Create a News Article on a Local Issue

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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

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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

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Engage in regular discussions with peers to share perspectives, analyze news events, and reflect on the role of journalism in society.

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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

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Design and implement a social media campaign to raise awareness and support for a local non-profit organization.

Browse courses on Social Media Marketing

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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

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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.

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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:

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Broadcast News Analyst

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Media Relations Specialist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for News Director

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for News Producer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photojournalist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Reporter

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Content Writer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Specialist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Affairs Specialist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speechwriter

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? .

The Elements of Journalism, Revised and Updated 4th...

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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.

What is news?

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Fundamentals of news and journalism ethics

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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