JRN 111W - Media Literacy with Project

Credits: 3
Instructional Contact Hours: 3

Provides practice in accessing, analyzing, evaluating and creating news and information products across platforms with focus on veracity of facts and objectivity of presentation. Uses critical thinking skills to separate "fake news" from legitimate information, to assess the validity of various media products and to understand the history and roles of fabricated news, satire, advertising, propaganda, and accurate journalism.

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 45 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives

Analyze information presented in news outlets or on social media.
1. Use a variety of fact-checking tools and verification processes to determine whether reports are true.
2. Compare opinion pieces based on facts to opinion pieces without factual bases.
3. Discuss types of media bias: liberal/conservative, bias toward Gann's Journalistic Values, bias toward audience demand.
4. Define satire and parody.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the history, purpose, technique and impact of propaganda.
6. Demonstrate ability to distinguish advertisements from news reports.
Demonstrate an understanding of the unique history of the American press and its role in democracy.
1. Describe the history of the Free Press in America.
2. Explain the role of the First Amendment in the practice of a Free Press.
3. Analyze the role of the press as the “Fourth Estate” or watchdog of American government.
4. Describe professional journalistic conduct, including the news gathering, news reporting and fact-checking processes.
5. Compare inaccurate reporting to accurate reporting.
6. Identify factors that have eroded public trust in the media.

Describe the impact misinformation has on society.
1. Discuss historical instances of the spread of misinformation and its effect on consumers, including bogus advertising claims, yellow journalism, media hoaxes, propaganda, fabricated memoirs, clickbait, and “fake news.”
2. Describe how “fake news” is generated, spread, and monetized.
3. Evaluate the profit and political motives that often drive factually unsupported reports.
4. Describe the logical, emotional and ethical appeals used to draw readers to click and share misinformation.
5. Define media literacy and describe its impact on the news consumer and society.
6. Analyze current media literacy issues and controversies.
Demonstrate media literacy.
1. Analyze various examples of news and information and evaluate their origin, veracity, purpose and effect.
Create a media report that meets professional standards for accuracy, thoroughness and objectivity

Demonstrate ability to create media messages that promotes civic engagement.
1. Complete a substantial civic engagement project (at least 20 hours of work) that:
  1. Informs the public about a topic of civic importance.
  2. Is submitted for publication in student-run media or other appropriate outlet.
  3. Meets journalistic standards for fairness, accuracy, and source selection.
  4. Includes a reflective piece on the project.