Journalism, the future, and you! from Coursera

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Syllabus

Welcome to the Michigan State School of Journalism

You will learn about journalism profession, the Michigan State University School of Journalism, our world-class faculty and the world-class atmosphere of Michigan State University. We are proud to have Pulitzer-prize winning journalists, distinguished authors and broadcasters, and award-winning scholarly faculty all part of our Michigan State Journalism family. We are a special place, where amazing things happen every day.

Earning and Keeping Trust

High ethical standards are essential to developing and maintain trust in the press, in news organizations and in individual journalists in all forms of media: print, broadcast, multimedia and social media. You will learn how to understand a journalist's ethical obligations, and then carry out your professional duties in a trustworthy way, even in the face of pressure in all mediums. You will be empowered to make strong decisions as a journalist to serve your audiences, as well as your outlet.

Tough Calls

Journalists must make difficult decisions - tough calls - that require careful analysis and deep thought. You will learn how journalists must balance competing interests in a sensitive way that still gives primary attention to the needs of your audience, not to your personal self-interest or the self-interest of your news consumers. You will be empowered with the tools and information to assess these challenges of the profession, and then make the correct decisions for safety/welfare and journalistic credibility.

International Journalism

Journalism today is unrestrained by national political borders in most of the world. The Internet and social media make it possible to follow events around the globe and to obtain news and information from multiple sources at the same time. However, the press and individual journalists can operate differently in some ways from country to country, depending on national laws, political systems, cultural values and economic resources of news organizations. You will learn how to understand national press systems, constraints on press freedom, broad techniques for covering international news from within your own country and the important work of international correspondents.You will be empowered to consider how you could serve your audience by doing journalism from an international perspective.

The Future of Journalism...and You

How will people get their news and information in the future, and what will your role be in providing that news and information. Now it is your turn to think about your place. You will learn about journalism careers, freelance journalism and predictions for the future of the news industry. You will be empowered to understand, and then conceptualize, how your life and skills fit into journalism's many careers and forms. We hope you will be inspired to find your place - and voice - in journalism.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Helps learners gain awareness of the various opportunities that journalism provides in other fields

Strengthens learners' foundations for careers in journalism

Helps learners explore freelance journalism

Introduces learners to ethical and responsible practices in journalism

Helps learners develop strong decision-making skills in journalism

Taught by instructors who are recognized for their work in journalism

Reviews summary

Positive journalism course

According to students, this well received journalism course is engaging and thought-provoking. Learners mention that they found the readings, lectures, and assignments to be insightful and relevant to the field of journalism.

Learners found materials to be valuable.

"It was great!"

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 Journalism, the future, and you! with these activities:

Review 'The Elements of Journalism' by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel.

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Performing a close reading of The Elements of Journalism will help you develop a solid understanding of media ethics and standards.

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

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Read the book's introduction and first chapter to gain a general overview of the discussion and key takeaways.
Identify and summarize the 10 principles of journalism.
Provide 2 to 3 specific examples for each principle to demonstrate your understanding.

Reach out to a professional journalist to serve as a mentor and guide throughout the course.

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Having a mentor will provide you with ongoing support and advice from someone who has been in the journalism field.

Browse courses on Journalism

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Identify a journalist you admire and respect who could potentially be a good mentor.
Write a professional email or letter expressing your interest in mentorship and outlining your goals and aspirations.
Follow up with potential mentors and schedule an initial meeting to discuss your career goals and expectations for the mentorship.

Form a study group with classmates to discuss the ethical issues faced by journalists.

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Collaborative discussions about the role of ethics in journalism will enhance your understanding of the complexities journalists face.

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Connect with classmates who share an interest in the topic and form a study group.
Choose a specific ethical issue facing journalists to discuss, such as bias, censorship, or privacy.
Research and gather information on the chosen ethical issue to prepare for the discussion.
Participate actively in the discussion, sharing your insights, perspectives, and questions.

Four other activities

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Complete exercises on identifying and avoiding bias in news writing.

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These exercises will reinforce your understanding of objectivity in reporting and provide valuable practice in avoiding bias in your own writing.

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Find online exercises or resources dedicated to identifying and avoiding bias in news writing.
Complete the exercises carefully, paying attention to the examples and explanations provided.
Apply the techniques learned from the exercises to your own writing.

Write a short article about a current event that is relevant to journalism.

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Putting your classroom knowledge to use by writing an article will strengthen your understanding of journalistic writing and the creative process.

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Determine a newsworthy event to serve as the topic of your article.
Gather information on the event through credible sources such as news websites, articles, or interviews.
Write a rough draft by organizing your information into a clear and concise structure.
Refine the article by editing for grammar, clarity, and adherence to journalistic standards.

Create a multimedia news package to cover a local event in your community.

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This comprehensive project will give you hands-on experience in gathering, producing, and presenting a journalistic story across multiple platforms.

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Identify a newsworthy event or issue in your community that would benefit from multimedia coverage.
Plan the scope and format of your multimedia package, considering a mix of written, audio, and visual content.
Conduct thorough research and interviews to gather information on the topic.
Write a compelling news article that captures the essence of the story.
Produce an engaging audio or video segment that complements the written article and adds depth to your coverage.
Present your multimedia package in a cohesive and impactful way, utilizing storytelling techniques and multimedia tools.

Attend a conference or workshop to connect with industry professionals in journalism.

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Interacting with experienced journalists at conferences will expand your professional network and provide valuable insights.

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Research and identify industry conferences or workshops that align with your interests in journalism.
Register and attend the event, actively participating in sessions and networking with professionals.

Career center

Learners who complete Journalism, the future, and you! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Journalist

As a Journalist, you will need to be able to gather, analyze, and report on news and current events. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as writing, interviewing, and research. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of journalists and how to report on sensitive topics in a responsible way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Editor

As an Editor, you will need to be able to manage a team of writers and reporters, as well as oversee the production of news content. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as project management, communication, and decision-making. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of editors and how to ensure that the news content you produce is accurate and fair.

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Public Relations Specialist

As a Public Relations Specialist, you will need to be able to build and maintain relationships with the media, as well as develop and implement public relations campaigns. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as media relations, crisis communication, and social media management. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of public relations professionals and how to build a positive reputation for your clients.

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Marketing Manager

As a Marketing Manager, you will need to be able to develop and implement marketing campaigns, as well as manage a team of marketing professionals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as marketing research, campaign planning, and budgeting. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of marketing professionals and how to develop marketing campaigns that are both effective and ethical.

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Communications Director

As a Communications Director, you will need to be able to develop and implement communication strategies, as well as manage a team of communication professionals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as strategic planning, media relations, and social media management. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of communications professionals and how to build a positive reputation for your organization.

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Speechwriter

As a Speechwriter, you will need to be able to write speeches for a variety of audiences, including political figures, business leaders, and non-profit organizations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as research, writing, and editing. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of speechwriters and how to write speeches that are both effective and persuasive.

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Grant Writer

As a Grant Writer, you will need to be able to write grant proposals for a variety of organizations, including non-profits, schools, and businesses. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as research, writing, and budgeting. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of grant writers and how to write grant proposals that are both effective and persuasive.

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Technical Writer

As a Technical Writer, you will need to be able to write technical documentation, such as user manuals, training materials, and white papers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as research, writing, and editing. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of technical writers and how to write technical documentation that is both clear and concise.

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Copywriter

As a Copywriter, you will need to be able to write advertising copy, marketing materials, and other promotional materials. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as writing, editing, and persuasion. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of copywriters and how to write copy that is both effective and ethical.

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Content Creator

As a Content Creator, you will need to be able to create and publish content for a variety of platforms, such as websites, blogs, and social media. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as writing, editing, and social media marketing. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of content creators and how to create content that is both engaging and informative.

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Social Media Manager

As a Social Media Manager, you will need to be able to develop and implement social media campaigns for a variety of organizations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as social media marketing, content creation, and community management. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of social media managers and how to use social media to build a positive reputation for your organization.

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Blogger

As a Blogger, you will need to be able to create and publish content for your own blog. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as writing, editing, and search engine optimization. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of bloggers and how to create content that is both engaging and informative.

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Freelance Writer

As a Freelance Writer, you will need to be able to write articles, blog posts, and other content for a variety of clients. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as writing, editing, and marketing. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of freelance writers and how to build a successful freelance writing business.

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Media Planner

As a Media Planner, you will need to be able to develop and implement media plans for a variety of clients. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as media research, planning, and budgeting. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of media planners and how to develop media plans that are both effective and ethical.

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Web Content Manager

As a Web Content Manager, you will need to be able to manage the content of a website, including writing, editing, and publishing. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this field, such as web design, content management, and search engine optimization. Additionally, the course will help you understand the ethical responsibilities of web content managers and how to create content that is both engaging and informative.

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