English for Journalism MOOC Syllabus

Quarter 1 2024 – J a n u a r y 2 – March 25, 2024

Instructor Information

Instructor Email
Lauren openmoocs@fhi360.org

CO URSE O VE RVI EW
Description
English for Journalism is a self-paced massively open online course (MOOC). This course was designed for English
learners at or approaching level B1 on the Common European Framework (CEFR).
This course is designed for non-native English speakers interested in developing the skills needed for a career in
modern journalism.
This course was developed by the University of Pennsylvania and adapted by FHI 360 for the Online Professional English
Network (OPEN) Program, a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding from the U.S.
government. We are excited to have you in the class and look forward to your contributions to the learning
community.
Dates:
This course will be active from January 2 to March 25, 2024
The orientation module and Module 1 will open on January 2 at 12:01 AM ET. This orientation is designed to help you
get familiar with Canvas and how to get help. It is not mandatory. Once you finish a module, the next one will
automatically unlock.
All coursework must be completed by March 25, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. No late submissions will be accepted.

Learning Objectives and Learner Outcomes

· Demonstrate understanding of the history and principles of journalism.
· identify strategies to research, pitch, and interview for a news story.
· Identify the unique features of broadcast journalism.
· Identify elements of print journalism and effectively proofread following a style guide.
· Analyze how digital technologies have changed journalism.
· Build your English vocabulary and develop your reading and writing skills
· Review and practice useful verb tenses and select grammar topics
· Use English to discuss course topics with classmates around the world

© 2024 by FHI 360. English for Journalism MOOC Syllabus for the Online Professional English Network
(OPEN), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government and
administered by FHI 360. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License, 1
except where noted. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Expectations and Grading
Course Schedule: This course runs from January 2 to March 25, 2024. To complete the course, participants should work
online and offline for 3-5 hours per module. This is a self-paced course and assignments can be completed at any time.
This is a self-paced course, and assignments can be completed any time before the close date on March 25, 2024.
How to pass this course: There are five modules in the English for Journalism MOOC:
1. Introduction to Journalism
2. How to Research, Pitch, and Interview
3. Words in Print
4. Broadcasting the News
5. New Media Journalism
Each module will have one or more quizzes. Participants who satisfactorily complete all the required quizzes with a
score of 70% or above before the course close date will receive a digital badge and certificate of participation.
Along with graded quizzes, each module also has other opportunities to check your understanding and practice your
language skills. These activities are labeled “OPTIONAL” in the course. These tasks are not graded nor required.

Course Policies
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using someone else’s words instead of your own. In this course, you are expected to use your own words
and ideas, and to acknowledge any sources you use to gather ideas. Plagiarism is not allowed in OPEN courses.
COURSE SCHEDU LE
Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time
Required
1 Introduction to Identify historical Video: The History of Journalism 1- The Early Private Journal: The History of Journalism 75 min.
Journalism developments and Days Quiz: History of Journalism
milestones in Video: The History of Journalism 2- 1690 – Quiz: History of Journalism
journalism. Present
Use the simple past Video: Language Focus- Talking about the Quiz: Talking about the Past 75 min
and past progressive Past Private Journal: The Interrupted Past
to report and Discussion: The Interrupted Past
describe past events.
Identify word forms to Video: Language Focus- Word Families Quiz: Language Focus: Word Families 30 min
expand your
vocabulary.
Identify the core Video: Principles of Journalism 1- Gathering Quiz: Principles of Journalism 90 min
principles of journalism Sources Private Journal: Case Study: Principles of
Video: Principles of Journalism 2- Telling the Journalism
Story Discussion: Case Study: Principles of Journalism
Video: Principles of Journalism 3- Making an
Impact
2 How to Identify the Video: Choosing a Topic Quiz: Choosing a Topic 75 min
Research, strategies to Video: Researching an idea Private Journal: Choose Your Topic
Pitch, and research a news Discussion: Choose Your Topic
Interview story.
Identify the Video: Pitching a Story to Newspapers Quiz: Research, Pitch, and Interview 75 min
strategies to pitch a and Magazines Private Journal: Make Your Pitch
news story. Video: Pitching a Radio Story Discussion Make Your Pitch
Identify and practice Video: Language Focus- Asking Questions Quiz: Asking Questions 30 min
question forms to
conduct an interview

3
Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time
Required
Identify the elements Video: Interviewing Sources- Reliability, Facts, Quiz: Reliable Sources 90 min
of an effective and Opinions Private Journal: Write Your Interview Questions
interview. Video: Interviewing Sources- Listening Private Journal: Predict Responses
Strategies and Opinions
Identify and practice Video: Language Focus- Quoting Sources Quiz: Reporting Verbs 90 min
quoted and reported and Reporting Verbs Practice Quiz: Using Reported Speech
speech to conduct an Video: Language Focus- Using Reported Speech Private Journal: Post-Interview Reflection
interview. Quiz: Reported Speech
3 Words in Print Identify the process Video: Print Media- From Topic to Article Quiz: The Process and the Front Page 120 min
of writing a story ina Video: Writing Articles Using the Inverted Private Journal: Create Your Outline
newspaper and the Pyramid Style Private Journal: Write Your Article
general structure of Video: Reporting Accurately Private Journal: Edit Your Article
an article. Discussion: Publish Your Article
Identify types of Video: Types of Leads Quiz: Leads and Lead Types 75 min
leads and how to Video: Creating a Lead Private Journal: Write Your Lead
create a lead. Discussion: Write Your Lead
Be able to ensure Video: Language Focus- Subject-Verb Quiz: Subject-Verb Agreement 30 min
that the subject of a Agreement
lead agrees with its
verb.
Be able to form a Video: Language Focus- Structure of Active Quiz: When to Use Passive Voice 45 min
lead using both and Passive Voices
active and passive Video: Language Focus- Use of Active and
voice. Passive Voices
Be able to proofread Video: Writing Using Associated Press Style Quiz: Applying AP Style 30 min
and applyelements of
Associated Press
Style (capitalization,
numbers, and
dates)

4 Broadcasting Identify thefeatures of Video: The Language of Broadcast Journalism Quiz: Broadcast Journalism Vocabulary 60 min
the News broadcast journalism Video: The People of Broadcast Journalism
Video: Types of Stories for Broadcast
Journalism

4
Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time
Required
Compare broadcast Video: Ratings in TV News- How Journalists Quiz: Print vs. Broadcast Journalism 90 min
journalism and print Compete Private Journal: Transform Your Article for a TV
media. Video: Sensationalism in TV News News Segment
Video: The 24-Hour News Cycle Discussion: Transform Your Article for a TV
News Segment
Identify and practice Video: Using Conversational Style Quiz: Stress and Pausing 90 min
using stress, rhythm, Video: Present Tense and Active Voice Self-Evaluation: Orally Present Your Story and
and intonation to show Video: Stress and Pausing Evaluate Yourself
meaning and emphasis
when delivering a news
story.

5 New Media Identify the ways Video: Origins and Current State of the Digital Quiz: Origins and Current State of the Digital 120 min
Journalism digital technology Age Age
has impacted print Video: New Media Language and Structure Quiz: New Media Language and Structure
and broadcast Video: Types of New Media Stories
journalism. Video: The Impact on the Journalistic Process
Video: The Impact on Traditional Media
Use the present perfect Video: Language Focus- Present Perfect Form Quiz: Present Perfect Form 30 min
to discuss the impact of
digital technology in
journalism.

Use data commentary Video: Language Focus- Data Commentary Quiz: Choose the Appropriate Data Commentary 90 min
and new vocabulary to Video: Challenge One: The Digital Divide
evaluate the digital Video: Citizen Journalism
revolution and describe Video: Challenge Two: Ethics in the Digital Age
data. Video: Challenge Three: Intellectual Property
and Censorship