English for Journalism MOOC Syllabus

Winter 2021: January 11 – April 30, 2021

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor Email
Jessamyn Embry elamooc@fhi360.org

COURSE OVERVIEW
Description
Welcome to the English for Journalism MOOC! This course was developed by the University of Pennsylvania and adapted by FHI 360
for the American English (AE) E-Teacher 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.

Learning Objectives and Learner Outcomes

During this course, you will:
• 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

Expectations and Grading

Course Schedule:
This course runs from January 11 to April 30, 2021.
In order to complete the modules, participants should work on and offline for 3-5 hours per week. Most participants complete this
course in 12 weeks or less. This is a self-paced course and assignments can be completed at any time before the close date on April
30, 2021.
How to pass this course:
There are six modules in the English for Media Literacy MOOC:
1. Orientation: Welcome to the American English E-Teacher Program
2. The History and Principles of Journalism
3. How to Research, Pitch, and Interview
4. Words in Print
5. Broadcasting the News
6. New Media Journalism

© 2021 by FHI 360. “English for Journalism MOOC - Winter 2021 Syllabus” for the Online Professional
English Network (OPEN), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. 1
government and administered by FHI 360. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-
ShareAlike 4.0 License, except where noted. To view a copy of this license, visit
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode
Each module will have one or more quizzes. Participants who satisfactorily complete all of the required quizzes with a score of 70%
or above before the course close date will receive a digital badge and certificate of participation.

You must complete all quizzes to receive a digital badge and certificate of participation.
Along with the quizzes, each module also has other opportunities to check your understanding and practice your language skills.
These tasks are not graded nor required.

Private Journals
Writing is an important skill for journalists. We will review helpful writing strategies throughout the course. In each module, one or
more private journal assignments have been included to help you practice these important strategies. Journal assignments are
ungraded. You can complete them online or at home with pen and paper. You do not need to submit journal assignments to pass the
course, but participation is highly encouraged.

Discussions
If you would like to share your writing with your peers, you can do so in the discussion page that follows private journal assignments.
The discussion forum is your opportunity to practice communicating and interacting in English. This is the place to experiment with
new language, ask questions, and explore new ideas with others who are at a similar English level (High Beginner / Low
Intermediate). Discussion posts are not graded.

Course Policies
In the virtual classroom, learning is generated from active participation in discussion forums and the free exchange of ideas and
experiences. Therefore, when communicating on the discussion board, it is important to follow a set of core principles which will
help us increase the quality of online discussions, achieve group cohesion and maintain the community of practice:

1. This course is intended for high-beginner and low-intermediate participants (at or approaching level B1 on the Common
European Framework (CEFR).

2. Try to be clear and direct. Make sure that your content title reflects the content of your post and that your post is succinct
and direct.

3. Post relevant content. Only post content relevant to the “English for Journalism” Course. Any other content which is found
to be unsuitable or irrelevant will be deleted.

4. Make it easier for colleagues to read your comments. Put a blank space at the beginning of a message and between
paragraphs. Be brief and specific. This is especially important in Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) which have
thousands of participants. When writing a contribution, try to keep between 50 and 100 words.

5. Be constructive. Respond to colleagues’ postings or comments in an encouraging and supportive tone. Think before you
write or respond. Any criticism should be constructive – if in doubt, think about how you would feel reading a posting.

6. Be open to differences in opinion. Be open to other people’s opinions and try not to get emotional if someone disagrees
with you. Make your learning experience a constructive and positive one by avoiding “flaming”. For example, CAPITAL
LETTERS can be interpreted as shouting. Words are powerful and can hurt; avoid anything which could be misinterpreted
in any way. Think before you push the “send” button.

7. Accept others. Accept your peers’ differences (e.g. cultural and language differences). You are part of a community which
means caring about your own progress and that of your colleagues’

8. Cite other people’s work. If you use a quote or reference in your post; make sure that you cite it or provide a link to it.

9. No spamming. Please don’t send advertisements to your peers or use your peers’ emails in any way other than how they
intend it to be used.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time Estimate
0 MOOC Orientation A brief overview of Lesson 1: The Online Professional English 15 min.
the Online Network
Professional English
Network
0 MOOC Orientation Review how to use Lesson 2: Canvas User Orientation 15 min
the Canvas Site
0 MOOC Orientation Get tips on how to Lesson 3a: Online Success Strategies 45 min.
study online Lesson 3b: Avoiding Plagiarism
Lesson 3c: Discussion Tips for MOOCs
0 MOOC Orientation Review how to pass Lesson 4: Certificates and Digital Badges Required: 60 min.
the course and how Lesson 5: Support During the MOOC Orientation Review
to receive badges
and certificates
1 Introduction to Identify historical Lesson 1: The History of Journalism 1: The Early Required: 60 min
Journalism developments and Days Quiz 1: History of Journalism
milestones in Lesson 2: This History of Journalism 2: 1690 - Quiz 2: History of Journalism
journalism Present
Optional:
Private Journal 1: The History of Journalism

1 Introduction to Use the simple past Lesson 3: Language Focus – Talking About the Required: 45 min
Journalism and past Past Quiz 3: Talking about the Past
progressive to
report and describe Optional:
past events Private Journal 2: The Interrupted Past
Discussion: The Interrupted Past
1 Introduction to Identify the core Lesson 4: Principles of Journalism 1: Gathering Required: 60 min
Journalism principles of Sources Quiz 5: Principles of Journalism Vocabulary
Journalism Lesson 5: Principles of Journalism 2: Telling the
Story Optional:
Private Journal 3: Case Study: The Principles of
Journalism
Discussion: Case Study: The Principles of Journalism

3
Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time Estimate
1 Introduction to Identify word forms Lesson 6: Language Focus – Word Families Required: Quiz 4: Language Focus Word Families 30 min
Journalism to expand your
vocabulary
1 Introduction to Identify the core Lesson 7: Principles of Journalism 3: Making an Required: 60 min
Journalism principles of Impact Quiz 5: Principles of Journalism Vocabulary
Journalism

Optional:
Private Journal 3: Case Study: The Principles of
Journalism
Discussion: Case Study: The Principles of Journalism
1 Introduction to Use English to Lesson 8: Phrases for Agreeing and Disagreeing Optional: 40 min.
Journalism discuss course Discussion: Case Study: The Principles of Journalism
topics with
classmates around
the world
1 Introduction to Required: < 5 min.
Journalism Module 1 Check

2 How to Research, Identify strategies Lesson 1: Choosing a Topic Required: 120 min.
Pitch, and to research and Lesson 2 Researching an Idea Quiz 6: Choosing a Topic
Interview pitch a news story, Lesson 3: Pitching a Story to Newspapers and Quiz 7: Research, Pitch, and Interview
Magazines
Lesson 4: Pitching a Radio Story Optional:
Private Journal 4: Choose Your Topic
Private Journal 5: Make Your Pitch
Discussion: Make Your Pitch
2 How to Research, Identify and Lesson 5: Language Focus: Asking Questions Required: 45 min
Pitch, and practice question Quiz 8: Asking Questions
Interview forms in order to
conduct an Optional:
interview Private Journal 6: Write Your Interview Questions
Discussion: Write Your Interview Questions
2 How to Research, Identify the Lesson 6: Interviewing Sources – Reliability, Required: 60 min
Pitch, and elements of an Facts, and Opinions Quiz 9: Reliable Sources
Interview effective interview Lesson 7: Interviewing Sources - Listening
Strategies Optional:
Private Journal 7: Predict Responses

4
Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time Estimate
2 How to Research, Identify and Lesson 8: Language Focus – Quoting Sources and Required: 60 min
Pitch, and practice quoted and Reporting Verbs Quiz 10: Reporting Verbs
Interview reported speech in Lesson 9: Using Reported Speech Quiz 11: Reported Speech
order to conduct an
interview Optional:
Private Journal 8: Post-Interview Reflection
Discussion: Post-Interview Reflections
2 How to Research, Required: < 5 min.
Pitch, and Module 2 Check
Interview
3 Words in Print Identify the process Lesson 1: Print Media – From Topic to Article Required: 45 min
of writing a story in Quiz 12: The Process and the Front Page
a newspaper and
the general Optional:
structure of an Private Journal 9: Create Your Outline
article.
3 Words in Print Identify types of Lesson 2: Types of Leads Required: 75 min
leads and how to Lesson 3: Creating a Lead Quiz 13: Leads and Lead Types
create a lead.
Optional:
Private Journal 10: Write your lead
Discussion: Write Your Lead
3 Words in Print Be able to ensure Lesson 4: Language Focus – Subject-Verb Required: 30 min
that the subject of a Agreement Quiz 14: Subject Verb Agreement
lead agrees with its
verb.
3 Words in Print Identify the process Lesson 5: Writing articles using the inverted Optional: 75 min
of writing a story in pyramid style Private Journal 11: Write your article
a newspaper and
the general
structure of an
article.
3 Words in Print Be able to Lesson 6: Writing Using Associated Press Style Required: 30 min
proofread and apply Quiz 15: Applying AP Style
elements of
Associated Press
Style (capitalization,
numbers, and
dates)

5
Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time Estimate
3 Words in Print Be able to form a Lesson 7: Language Focus – Structure of Active Required: 45 min
lead using both and Passive Voices Quiz 16: When to Use Passive Voice
active and passive Lesson 8: Language Focus – Use of Active and
voice. Passive Voices
3 Words in Print Identify the process Lesson 9: Reporting Accurately Optional: 45 min
of writing a story in Private Journal 12: Edit Your Article
a newspaper and Discussion: Publish Your Article
the general
structure of an
article.
3 Words in Print Required: < 5 min.
Module 3 Check

4 Broadcasting the Identify the Lesson 1: The Language of Broadcast Journalism Required: 45 min
News features of Lesson 2: The People of Broadcast Journalism Quiz 16: Broadcast Journalism Vocabulary
broadcast
journalism
4 Broadcasting the Compare the Lesson 3: Types of Stories for Broadcast Required: 45 min
News broadcast Journalism Quiz 17: Print vs. Broadcast Journalism
journalism and print Lesson 4: Using Conversational Style
media
4 Broadcasting the Identify the Lesson 5: Language Focus: Present Tense & Optional: 120 min
News features of Active Voice Private Journal 13: Transform Your Article for a TV
broadcast Lesson 6: Ratings in TV News: How Journalists News Segment
journalism Compete Duscussion: Transform Your Article for A TV News
Lesson 7: Sensationalism in TV News Segment
Lesson 9: The 24-Hour News Cycle
4 Broadcasting the Identify and Lesson 10: Language Focus – Stress and Pausing Required: 45 min
News practice using Quiz 18: Stress and Pausing
stress, rhythm, and
intonation to show
meaning and
emphasis when
delivering a news
story
4 Required: < 5 min.
Module 4 Check

6
 Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time Estimate
5 New Media Identify the ways Lesson 1: Origins and Current State of the Digital Required: 120 min
Journalism digital technology Age Quiz 19: Origins and State of the Digital Age
has impacted print Lesson 2: New Media Language and Structure Quiz 20: New Media Language and Structure
and broadcast Lesson 3: Types of New Media Stories
journalism Lesson 4: The Impact on the Journalistic Process
Lesson 5: The Impact on Traditional Media
5 New Media Use the present Lesson 6: Language Focus – Present Perfect Required: 45 min
Journalism perfect to discuss Form Quiz 21: Present Perfect Form
the impact of digital Lesson 7: Challenge One: The Digital Divide
technology on
journalism
5 New Media Use data Lesson 7: Language Focus – Data Commentary Required: 45 min
Journalism commentary and Quiz 22: Choose the Appropriate Data Commentary
new vocabulary to
evaluate the digital
revolution and
describe data.
5 New Media Identify the ways Lesson 8: Citizen Journalism 45 min
Journalism digital technology Lesson 9: Challenge 2: Ethics in the Digital Age
has impacted print Lesson 10: Challenge 3: Intellectual Property and
and broadcast Censorship
journalism
5 New Media Required: < 5 min.
Journalism Module 5 Check

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Participants who satisfactorily complete all of the required quizzes with a score of 70% or above before the course close date will
receive a digital badge and certificate of participation.
You must complete all required quizzes to receive a digital badge and certificate of participation.
Along with the quizzes, each module also has other optional activities to check your understanding and practice your language skills.
These tasks are not graded or required.