Monthly Subscription Starting at AED 99 + VAT
- Level Foundation
- Duration 15 hours
- Course by The University of Hong Kong
-
Offered by
About
Never before has the need for News Literacy been more urgent. As news consumers are bombarded with a constant stream of fake news, propaganda, hoaxes, rumors, satire, and advertising — that often masquerade as credible journalism — it is becoming more and more difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. While the public’s faith in the news media erodes, purveyors of misinformation have helped give rise to troubling cultural trends and alarming political movements. This six-week course will help learners develop their critical thinking skills to enable them to better identify reliable information in news reports and to become better informed about the world in which we live. The course will discuss the key elements of journalism from the viewpoint of the news audience. The language of instruction is English, but Chinese and Spanish subtitles will be available. Each week will tackle a challenge unique to the digital era: Week 1: The power of information is now in the hands of consumers. Week 2: What makes journalism different from other types of information? Week 3: Where can we find trustworthy information? Week 4: How to tell what’s fair and what’s biased. Week 5: How to apply news literacy concepts in real life. Week 6: Meeting the challenges of digital citizenship.Modules
Why is information so powerful?
-
3
Videos
-
3
Readings
-
1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- The dangers of journalism
3
Videos
- Why news literacy matters
- Power of information
- Shoot the messenger: Why journalists become targets
3
Readings
- Recommended resources: Why news literacy matters
- Recommended resources: Power of information
- Recommended resources: Why journalists become targets
Assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Power of Information
With great power comes great responsibility
-
2
Videos
-
2
Readings
-
1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- We are all active participants
2
Videos
- Communication models and media
- News cycles in the age of social media
2
Readings
- Definitions: "Social media" and "News cycles"
- Recommended resources: News cycles in the age of social media
Assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- The responsibility of digital citizens
What makes journalism different from other types of information?
-
3
Videos
-
3
Readings
-
1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Native Advertising
3
Videos
- What makes journalism different
- Information Neighborhoods
- Blurred lines
3
Readings
- Recommended resources: What makes journalism different
- Recommended resources: Information neighborhoods
- Recommended resources: Blurred lines
Assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- What is news and who decides?
What makes some information newsworthy?
-
2
Videos
-
2
Readings
-
1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Editorial judgment
2
Videos
- Universal news drivers
- Editorial judgment
2
Readings
- Recommended resources: What makes news
- Exercise: Editorial judgment
Assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- What makes some information newsworthy?
[Optional] Learner survey
-
1
Readings
1
Readings
- Tell us more about yourself [optional survey]
What do journalists mean by truth?
-
3
Videos
-
3
Readings
-
1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Following the story
3
Videos
- Truth
- Evidence
- Why verification fails
3
Readings
- Recommended resources: Truth is provisional
- Recommended resources: Evidence and fact checking
- Recommended resources: Why verification fails
Assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Truth in Journalism
Are you calling me biased?
-
3
Videos
-
3
Readings
-
1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Am I biased?
3
Videos
- What is media bias?
- Cognitive dissonance, confirmation bias
- Opinion journalism and bloviation
3
Readings
- Recommended resources: Understanding bias
- Recommended resources: Testing our own bias
- Recommended resources: Opinion journalism
Assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Media bias, audience bias
Is being balanced being fair? Not necessarily.
-
1
Videos
-
1
Readings
-
1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Is the news story fair or falsely balanced?
1
Videos
- How do we find fairness?
1
Readings
- Recommended resources: False equivalence
Assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Fairness and balance
Says who?
-
3
Videos
-
3
Readings
-
1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Finding the perfect source
3
Videos
- The importance of sources
- Evaluating sources: IM VAIN
- Evaluating anonymous sources
3
Readings
- Recommended resources: Sources
- Recommended resources: What makes a source reliable
- Recommended resources: Anonymous sources
Assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Source evaluation
News literacy deconstruction basics
-
2
Videos
-
2
Readings
-
1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Deconstruction in action
2
Videos
- News Deconstruction Steps
- Debunking the viral news
2
Readings
- Recommended resources: Debunking
- Recommended resources: Fake news
Assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Deconstructing News
Applying the basics to different information media
-
3
Videos
-
3
Readings
-
1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Are you sharing news?
3
Videos
- News best covered by print
- Stories that benefit from images, audio and video
- Power of new media
3
Readings
- Recommended resources: Stories for print journalism
- Recommended resources: Power of images
- Recommended resources: Online news
Assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Medium is the message
Beyond the news literacy basics
-
3
Videos
-
1
Readings
-
1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- What is that number really telling us?
3
Videos
- Numbers in context: Opinion polls and surveys
- Numbers in context: Health science
- News angles
1
Readings
- Recommended resources: Essential statistics guide for smart news audience
Assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Beyond the news literacy basics
Final assignment
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- News deconstruction
[Optional] Exit survey
-
1
Readings
1
Readings
- How did you find the course? [optional survey]
Auto Summary
In today's digital world, distinguishing between fact and fiction in news is more challenging than ever. "Making Sense of the News: News Literacy Lessons for Digital Citizens" is a compelling six-week course designed to enhance your critical thinking skills and help you identify reliable information amidst the overwhelming influx of fake news, propaganda, and biased reporting. This course, offered by Coursera, empowers learners to navigate the complex media landscape and become well-informed digital citizens. The course content is delivered in English, with Chinese and Spanish subtitles available, ensuring accessibility to a broader audience. Each of the six weeks focuses on a unique aspect of news literacy: - **Week 1:** Understanding the power shift in information consumption. - **Week 2:** Differentiating journalism from other types of information. - **Week 3:** Identifying trustworthy sources. - **Week 4:** Recognizing fairness versus bias in reporting. - **Week 5:** Applying news literacy concepts in everyday life. - **Week 6:** Addressing the challenges of digital citizenship. With a total duration of approximately 900 minutes, this foundational-level course is ideal for anyone looking to sharpen their ability to discern credible journalism and stay informed about global events. Subscription options include Starter and Professional plans, catering to different learning needs and preferences. Whether you're a student, professional, or simply a curious individual, this course will equip you with essential skills to critically evaluate news and become a more discerning media consumer. Join now and take an important step towards becoming a savvy digital citizen.
Masato Kajimoto
Howard Schneider
Anne Kruger
Steven Reiner
Jonathan Anzalone
Michael A. Spikes
Richard Hornik