What is news?

This course is part of Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization

Instructors: Joanne C. Gerstner

Access provided by Campus BBVA

45,504 already enrolled

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,183 reviews

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,183 reviews

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

17 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

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.

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.

What's included

4 videos1 discussion prompt

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.

What's included

7 videos3 readings7 assignments2 discussion prompts

7 videos Total 28 minutes

The Power of Credibility 4 minutes
The importance of accuracy 4 minutes
Finding balance in a world that tilts 3 minutes
Transparency and dealing with mistakes 6 minutes
Is seeing believing? 6 minutes
Sensationalism in journalism 2 minutes
What is propaganda? 2 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Global journalistic ethics 10 minutes
National Press Photographers Association guidelines 10 minutes
Readings in plagiarism 10 minutes

7 assignments Total 124 minutes

Trust and credibility quiz 30 minutes
Credibility, fairness...and you 10 minutes
Earning and keeping trust 6 minutes
Is seeing believing? 8 minutes
Reflection on sensationalism 30 minutes
Is it propaganda or journalism when ... 10 minutes
Is it plagiarism? 30 minutes

2 discussion prompts Total 20 minutes

Why does credibility matter to you? 10 minutes
Reflection on Transparency 10 minutes

You will learn how to reach your audience and community as a journalist, by exploring news reports, interest and importance, and values and ethics.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments1 discussion prompt

3 videos Total 20 minutes

News Elements & Values 8 minutes
First things first: your lead 5 minutes
Point-of-view journalism 7 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Frameworks for POV journalism 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 60 minutes

Connecting community and content 30 minutes
Elements of a good lead 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

What news report ideas can you find? 10 minutes

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.

What's included

6 videos1 reading5 assignments3 peer reviews1 discussion prompt

6 videos Total 38 minutes

Local news 4 minutes
Features 6 minutes
Sports 6 minutes
National and international news 10 minutes
Science and environmental news 2 minutes
Opinion writing 10 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Advice from a journalism recruiter 10 minutes

5 assignments Total 150 minutes

opinion writing 30 minutes
News report ideas and development 30 minutes
What is Sports Journalism? 30 minutes
Pre-lecture question: Can opinions be news? 30 minutes
Reflection on your path in journalism 30 minutes

3 peer reviews Total 180 minutes

Crafting an idea for a news report 60 minutes
Graded ethics challenge 60 minutes
Brainstorming local news ideas with peers 60 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Discussion: Does government control your media? 10 minutes

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.

What's included

5 videos1 reading3 assignments1 peer review

5 videos Total 31 minutes

A 2-minute history of journalism 2 minutes
Engaging online audiences 4 minutes
Crowdsourcing in journalism 9 minutes
Social Media Tools for Journalists 11 minutes
Doing social media journalism 5 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

How social media makes issues go viral 10 minutes

3 assignments Total 90 minutes

Why we should engage our audience? 30 minutes
How to use engagement strategies 30 minutes
Crowdsourcing your content 30 minutes

1 peer review Total 120 minutes

Social media assigment 120 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(290 ratings)

Joanne C. Gerstner

Michigan State University

5 Courses 67,349 learners

Eric Freedman

Michigan State University

5 Courses 67,349 learners

Offered by

Michigan State University

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
79.39%
4 stars
15.87%
3 stars
3.04%
2 stars
0.42%
1 star
1.26%

Showing 3 of 1183

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2020

It was a pleasure that taking course like this from Michigan State University. And thanks to Coursera to provide this chance to people all around the world.

Reviewed on Jun 7, 2020

I really enjoyed learning all of the different parts dealing with Journalism. I thought that the videos and the light reading made for a great learning experience. Thanks, Denise Shannon.

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2020

A great course to assist in the building of a career in Professional Communications. Kudos to the wonderful instructors who gave so much to the learners.

View more reviews