Modern Journalism
Price
TBA
Duration
2 Quarters; 1 Semester
COURSE OBJECTIVES
English for Journalism is designed for students who are interested in developing the skills needed for a career in modern journalism. In this course, you will explore print and digital media through authentic readings and video lectures, while expanding your vocabulary and increasing your ability to read, research, and develop local and global news stories.
The course starts with an introduction to the history and principles of journalism. You will learn how to research, pitch, and interview. The course will focus on the language needed to write newspaper and magazine articles, as well as cover the basics of broadcasting the news. You will also analyze the growth, impact, and challenges of digital news, while completing a reflection assignment that allows you to think about and discuss the recent changes to the field of journalism.
COURSE FORMAT
Modules: 5; Lessons: 84
Like all other courses in our curriculum, English for Journalism will be taught utilizing the flipped classroom model within an overall gamified Classcraft classroom. Your academy instructor will act as the class facilitator and Gamemaster who will supplement and further enrich the curriculum with other learning materials, writing exercises, class discussions, mock interviews, and group activities.
English for Journalists was created by the University of Pennsylvania, and funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs . Their course instructors break down concepts with bite-sized, animated video lessons which are organized into topical chapters that improve comprehension and retention, making learning fun and engaging. Each video is approximately 5-10 minutes in length and comes with a quick quiz to help you measure your "first exposure learning" during the pre-work phase prior to the actual class.
At the end of each chapter, you will complete a chapter test to see if you're ready to move on or have some material to review. Once you've completed the entire course, take the practice test and use the study tools in the course to prepare for the English for Journalism exam.
COURSE TOPICS
INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION BOARD
Each module features an interactive discussion board powered by Discussion Hero, a gamified platform developed by Northwestern University. Students choose between "hero" and "villain" roles and avatars, earning points for their contributions. This fosters a sense of competition and engagement, making discussions even more rewarding.
Benefits of Participating in Discussions:
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Go beyond memorization and passive learning by analyzing information, evaluating different perspectives, and forming your own conclusions.
Enhance communication skills: Practice clear communication, learn to articulate your ideas effectively, and develop respectful listening and rebuttal skills.
Fosters a collaborative learning environment: Learn from each other, share knowledge, and collaborate on problem-solving, creating a dynamic and enriching learning community.
Deepen your understanding of the content: Actively engaging with the course material through discussion solidifies and expands your understanding beyond lectures and readings.
Provides diverse perspectives: Discussions expose you to different viewpoints and interpretations, encouraging critical thinking and broadening your understanding of the subject matter.
Offers opportunities for self-reflection: Examining your own thoughts and arguments in response to prompts and engaging with others' perspectives helps solidify your learning and identify areas for further exploration.
Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios: Apply course concepts to real-world situations through discussions, enhancing the material's relevance.
Build a digital learning portfolio: Discussions serve as a reference for your learning journey, allowing you to revisit key concepts and track your progress.
Develop digital literacy: Discussions provide a platform to practice online communication etiquette, including respectful disagreement, constructive argumentation, and responsible information sharing.
To actively engage in meaningful learning and reap the benefits mentioned above, participation in each module's discussion board is expected and will contribute to your overall grade. Your instructor will provide a clear rubric within Discussion Hero outlining the expectations for participation and how your contributions will be evaluated. This ensures consistent and transparent assessment while allowing you to showcase your understanding and critical thinking skills throughout the course.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
EXTREME EVENT RESILIENCE GAME
Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods, are large-scale geological or meteorological events that pose significant threats to human health and safety, property, critical infrastructure, and homeland security. Natural disasters occur both seasonally and without warning, subjecting the nation to frequent periods of insecurity, disruption, and economic loss.
Extreme Event is an award-winning in-person role-playing simulation that gives participants a taste of what it takes to build community resilience in the face of disaster. Players assume roles as city leaders to prepare for and react to a natural disaster (earthquake, hurricane, or flood) through an engaging, fast-paced simulation. Working alongside students from other relevant courses such as Business, City Planning and Development, Game Theory, Engineering, Environmental Science, Ethical Leadership, Journalism, Macroeconomics, Meteorology, and Social Psychology, you'll collaborate to make critical decisions and develop strategies for community resilience.
Developed by the National Academy of Sciences’ Marian Koshland Science Museum (now LabX) in collaboration with the Resilient America Roundtable, Extreme Event’s content draws on recommendations from the seminal 2012 National Academies consensus study report Disaster Resilience: A National Imperative and has been reviewed by experts and staff of the National Academies.
Learning Objectives:
Understand what community resiliency is and why it is important, particularly in the context of natural disasters.
Convert awareness and understanding into personal action to increase readiness and resiliency in your home, school, and community.
Apply your knowledge of natural disasters to real-world scenarios.
Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, team building, and leadership skills in a collaborative environment.
Understand resource management and prioritization during a crisis.
Understand the importance of effective communication and decision-making.
Develop civic literacy and an understanding of building connections across communities, the nation, and the world as a whole.
Get ready to put your Modern Journalism knowledge to the test in these exciting real-world simulations!
COURSE OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the history and principles of journalism.
Review the process of selecting an appropriate topic which is the right size and specific enough.
Use stress, rhythm, and intonation to show meaning and emphasis as you deliver a news story.
Apply critical thinking skills to identify important journalistic milestones and ethical considerations.
Expand your vocabulary relevant to journalism and effectively use it in course-related activities.
Analyze and evaluate a variety of journalistic texts and multimedia sources.
Develop the skills needed to research, pitch, and interview effectively for news reporting.
Utilize various question forms, reported speech, and quoted speech in conducting and transcribing interviews.
Craft engaging leads and articles for newspapers and magazines, demonstrating proficiency in active and passive voice.
Edit and proofread article drafts for print media, adhering to appropriate style guides.
Understand the language and structure unique to broadcast journalism, distinguishing it from print journalism.
Demonstrate the ability to deliver a news story effectively, using stress, rhythm, and intonation in spoken communication.
PREREQUISITES
There are no prerequisites for this course.
COURSE CERTIFICATE
The Course Certificate includes:
The course name
The lead instructor's signature
The logo of the University of Pennsylvannia
A verification URL that allows others to check the Certificate's authenticity
A statement that confirms the identity of the learner who completed the course
The Course Certificate does not include:
Academic credit from the University of Pennsylvannia
The final grade you got in the course
Your Instructor
TBD
