Journalism: Writing the News and Building Media Literacy

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this engaging online class, students will learn how to write news stories, opinion pieces and feature stories. We’re bombarded with media, from mainstream newspapers to Tik Tok and Instagram, but what makes a reader stay all the way through an article or even a Twitter post? In this class you will learn how to make people want to read what you write. We will also look at how to distinguish between fact and fiction in reporting. Fake news is a real thing, but it may not always look like what you think.

With online sessions and independent work, students will learn how to craft a basic news story, From a lead, to a nutgraph, to using quotes from sources. We will turn press releases into stories and figure out how to find news and brainstorm story ideas. For opinion pieces, we will study Op/Ed pages and blogs; how can we express an opinion that others will care about enough to read– even if they don’t agree with it? Feature stories cover a wide range of articles, from covering arts and entertainment to profiling an interesting person in your community.

Can you tell the difference between sponsored content and journalism? We will learn how to recognize bias, spin, misinformation and lies.

ONLINE FORMAT

This class will consist of readings, videos and assignments and posted on Google Classroom and a few scheduled Zoom sessions (Zoom is a video conference app). Both of these platforms are free and easy to use. You will be invited to join Google Classroom about a week before class starts. Check your junk mailbox, as invitations to join Google Classroom sometimes end up there. Please make sure you register for the course with a valid email address, since this is where you will receive an invitation notification to join Google Classroom. Your email has to be Google Classroom compatible, so it’s best if you use gmail, hotmail or yahoo. If you do not receive a notification, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact us.

There is NO pre-assignment for the online class. You might however be asked by your instructor, a few days in advance, to prepare a little bit for the first zoom meeting. The course syllabus, all readings and assignments will be posted on Google Classroom before the first zoom meeting.

You will attend the Zoom sessions by going to zoom.us and clicking “Join Meeting.” You will then enter a meeting ID number that will be provided to you. You can join via a computer, iPad or phone! We would prefer to see you, but if you do not have a camera on your computer, that’s ok. You can join via audio only. There is also an option to call in from your phone, in case your computer audio has any trouble connecting.

ASSIGNMENTS AND COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

All assignments must be completed in order to receive your course completion certificate. Course completion certificates will be emailed to everyone, a few days after the deadline of all assignments. If you need your certificate earlier, please let us know and we can email it to you as soon as you complete all assignments.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance during the scheduled Zoom sessions is mandatory and we will be taking attendance! If you do not attend these, you will not receive a course completion certificate. Other than the Zoom sessions, you will be free to work whenever you want, at your own pace. You will have 4 weeks to complete all course requirements.

Zoom Sessions:

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL TIMES ARE SCHEDULED IN EASTERN TIME (NYC). PLEASE CHECK ON THE MAP WHERE YOU ARE, AND MAKE SURE YOU ATTEND THE ZOOM SESSIONS ON TIME!
Saturday 9:00 – 9:40 AM ET
Saturday 10:00 – 10:40 AM ET
Sunday 6:00 – 7:00 PM ET

$250 | **ONLINE** | 36 hours (equivalent to 3 credits)
Saturday 9:00 AM – 9:40 AM Eastern Time
Saturday 10:00 AM – 10:40 AM Eastern Time
Sunday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Zoom meetings are mandatory and only take place on the first weekend of class. (One weekend)

For more information, please email ceFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE for more information.

You may also click the register button below to see dates and further information.

Contact Information

Office of Continuing Education
161 Newkirk Street, Room E504
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 360-4224
CEFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE