This is a course in basic journalism skills, designed for the many people who are now taking advantage of new media to publish news, views and information. For five hundred years, the privilege of being able to publish was enjoyed by very few people – those who had access to a printing press or a radio microphone or a television camera. Now, almost anyone can publish to the world within minutes of being able to do so. But is it journalism?
How does a citizen journalist find things out, so they can report facts and news - moving beyond merely braying opinion? And what are the legal and ethical pitfalls to publishing facts that some people might prefer remain secret?
Over six weeks, this course teaches the basics of news writing, how to interview people to gain crucial information, how to develop and manage your sources and how to use your legal rights to access public information - and stay on the right side of the law when you publish. We discuss the ethics behind journalism practice, and conduct a mock investigation into local government. This course aims to empower engaged citizens to better participate in the news ecology.
View the MOOC promotional video here: http://tinyurl.com/jj46rxw
Journalism Skills for Engaged Citizens
Offered By
The University of Melbourne
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
1What is a Journalist, and What is News?
This week we will discuss what journalism is, what journalists do, and how this has been affected over time by technology. We'll think about the exciting changes of our own time – the first in human history when the means of publication are in everyone's hands. We will then talk about the principles of news writing, and the nature of news. Finally, we will introduce Newstown, a fictitious place in Victoria, Australia. We also attend a news conference held in the Newstown Council Chambers. We will be using Newstown as the basis of our skills based exercises in this MOOC, so please take the time to become familiar with the town and its issues by following the link to Newstown in the course resources.
7 videos (Total 64 min), 3 readings, 3 quizzes
7 videos
Course introduction5m
1.1 What is a journalist? Part A12m
1.2 What is a journalist? Part B14m
1.3 Principles of good news writing15m
1.4 What is news?8m
1.5 Newstown media conference4m
3 readings
Welcome to Journalism Skills for Engaged Citizens10m
Week 1 outline10m
Start of course survey10m
2 practice exercises
Week 1 Newstown quiz - This is a practice quiz and does not contribute to your final grade10m
Active or passive sentences quiz - This is a practice quiz and does not contribute to your final grade2m
Week
2Attribution, Verification and the Structure of News Writing
This week we discuss some more core skills of journalism, particularly the very important concepts of attribution of information, and verification. We explore the structure of news writing in some more detail. Finally, make sure you take a close look at the Newstown site, and keep looking at it from now on as the course develops. Some new information has been posted that you will need to use in this week's first assessable news writing exercise.
4 videos (Total 31 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
4 videos
2.2 Verification6m
2.3 Attribution10m
2.4 News story structure12m
1 reading
Week 2 outline10m
1 practice exercise
Week 2 Newstown quiz - This is a practice quiz and does not contribute to your final grade10m
Week
3Finding Things Out: Places, Paper and People
This week we discuss some more core skills of journalism, particularly the very important concepts of attribution of information, and verification. We explore the structure of news writing in some more detail. Finally, make sure you take a close look at the Newstown site, and keep looking at it from now on as the course develops. Some new information has been posted that you will need to use in this week's first assessable news writing exercise.
6 videos (Total 49 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
6 videos
3.2 Finding things out: More about places and paper4m
3.3 Freedom of Information14m
3.4 Finding things out: People – interviews5m
3.5 Deception and consent12m
3.6 Summary and learning activity 51s
1 reading
Week 3 outline10m
1 practice exercise
Week 3 ‘Finding things out’ quiz - This is a practice quiz and does not contribute to your final grade8m
Week
4More on Interviews
This week we delve further into the art of interviewing, and watch and discuss some good and bad examples involving the key characters in Newstown.
12 videos (Total 96 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
12 videos
4.2 Dealing with traumatised people13m
4.3 Interview with the Mayor – a bad example 3m
4.4 Interview with the Mayor – a good example11m
4.5 Interview with the Developer – a bad example8m
4.6 Interview with the Developer – a good example19m
4.7 Interview with a Wildfire Victim – a bad example 1m
4.8 Interview with a Wildfire Victim – a good example 4m
4.9 Interview with a Conservationist – a bad example3m
4.10 Interview with a Conservationist – a good example11m
4.11 Telephone interview – a bad example 1m
4.12 Telephone interview – a good example 5m
1 reading
Week 4 outline10m
1 practice exercise
Week 4 quiz - Open and closed questions - This is a practice quiz and does not contribute to your final grade20m
4.5
5 ReviewsTop Reviews
By AS•Sep 15th 2017
Completed this course in September 2016 - very engaging and informative. I really enjoyed participating in this course.
By MJ•Sep 17th 2016
such professional tutors, carefully chosen diction.
Instructors
Dr. Denis Muller
Senior Lecturer and Senior Research FellowCentre for Advancing Journalism
Dr. Margaret Simons
Associate Professor and DirectorCentre for Advancing Journalism
About The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is an internationally recognised research intensive University with a strong tradition of excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Established in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest University.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
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Is financial aid available?
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