English for Media Literacy Syllabus

Summer 2022: July 5 – September 26, 2022

I NST RUCTO R I NFO RMATIO N

Instructor Email
Lauren Low OPENMOOCs@fhi360.org

CO URSE OV E RVIE W
Description

English for Media Literacy is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in improving their language
skills and knowledge of the media at the same time. In this course, participants will investigate how media has changed
over time. They will explore the world of advertising and identify targeted marketing strategies, analyze sources and
detect bias, and examine how diversity representation in media influences individual identity and society. This course
provides the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of the role media plays in our lives while building the
vocabulary and language skills needed to analyze what we read and watch.
This course was developed by the University of Pennsylvania and adapted by FHI 360 for the Online Professional English
Network (OPEN), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funds from the U.S. government and administered by
FHI 360.

Dates
This course will be active from July 5 to September 26, 2022
The orientation module and Module 1 will open on July 5 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 September 26,
2022. No late submissions will be accepted.

Learning Objectives and Learner Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
• Build your English vocabulary and improve your reading skills
• Review basic concepts about media and media literacy
• Investigate the evolution of mass media and weigh the pros and cons of social media
• Explore the world of advertising and identify targeted marketing strategies
• Analyze sources and detect bias
• Explore diversity representation in media messages
• Practice your English with classmates around the world

© 2022 by FHI 360. “English Media LIteracy 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 1
administered by FHI 360. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License,
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 July 5 to September 26, 2022. In order 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 at any time before the close date on
September 26, 2022.
How to pass this course: There are five modules in the English for Media Literacy MOOC:
1. Introduction to Media Literacy
2. The Evolution of Media
3. The World of Advertising
4. Bias in the Media
5. Diversity and the Media
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.
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.
CO URSE S CHE DULE
Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time Required
1 Introduction to Summarize Video: Introduction to Media Studies Media Literacy Vocabulary Pre-Check 90 minutes
Media Literacy concepts about Video: What is Media Literacy? OPTIONAL Module 1 Vocabulary Check
media and the role Quiz 1: Introduction to Media Literacy
it plays in our every OPTIONAL Discussion: How often do you see and
day lives. hear media messages?
Apply reading Video: Language Focus: Previewing Quiz 2: Reading Strategies 75 minutes
strategies Video: Language Focus: Skimming and Scanning OPTIONAL Reading Practice: “Can You Separate Fact
(previewing, from Fiction?”
skimming, and
scanning)
Identify the five Video: How Can We Analyze Media Messages? Quiz 3: Media Literacy Vocabulary 75 minutes
core concepts of (Part 1) OPTIONAL Discussion: What is your opinion about
media analysis Video: How Can We Analyze Media Messages? social media?
(Part 2) OPTIONAL Reading Practice: “Study Finds Most
Americans Get News from Social Media”
2 The Evolution of Distinguish between Video: What is Traditional Media? OPTIONAL Module Two Vocabulary (Part 1_ 90 minutes
Media traditional and Video: What is Social Media? Quiz 1: Traditional vs. Social Media
social media OPTIONAL Discussion: Positive Aspects of Social
Media
Use comparative Video: Language Focus: Comparative Adjectives Quiz 2: Comparative Adjectives 45 miutes
adjective to
compare media
types
Weigh the positive Video: Overcoming Bias, The Power of Social OPTIONAL Reading Practice: 5 Ways Social Media 90 minutes
and negative Media Helps Refugees
aspects of social Video: Using Social Media to Support Causes OPTIONAL Discussion: Negative Aspects of Social
media Video: The Reliability of Social Media (Part 1): Media
Editing / Doctoring Content Quiz 3: The Reliability of Social Media
Video: The Reliability of Social Media (Part 2): OPTIONAL Reading Practice: “Real or Not?
Credibility Snowboarder’s Video Called into Question”
3 The World of Describe what an Video: What is Advertising? OPTIONAL Module Three Vocabulary Check 30 minutes
Advertising advertisement is Video: Thinking Critically about Advertisements Quiz 1: Advertising and the Media
and how
advertisements are

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Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time Required
used to sell
products
Identify targeted Video: How do Advertisers Target Audiences? Quiz 1: Advertising and the Media 30 minutes
marketing
strategies
Compare the Video: Features of a Print Advertisement Quiz 2: Features of Advertising 60 minutes
features of Video: Features of Radio and Television OPTIONAL Reading Practice “Internet Ads Outpace
advertisements in Advertisements Print for First Time”
different types of Video: Features of Online Advertisements OPTIONAL Reading Practice: “Advertisers Join the
media Video: Analyzing Advertising Search for Friends Online”
OPTIONAL Discussion: The Ethics of Social Media
Advertising
Identify descriptive Video: Language Focus: Order of Adjectives Quiz 3: Descriptive Language in Use 30 minutes
language in use Video: Language Focus: Intensifiers
4 Bias in the Media Summarize how Video: How are Media Messages Created and Quiz 1: Creating and Sharing Media Messages 90 minutes
media messages are Shared? OPTIONAL Reading Practice: “For the Press,
created and shared Elections are a Test of Accountability”
OPTIONAL Discussion: Who pays for media
messages?
Be able to define Video: Bias by Omission Quiz 3: Media Bias 45 minutes
media bias and Video: Bias by Placement OPTIONAL Reading Practice: “Are Facebook’s
identify types of Video: Bias by Spin Trending Topics Unfair?”
media bias Video: Overcoming Media Bias
Express opinion and Language Focus: Expressing Opinions using Quiz 2: Modal Verbs 30 minutes
detext media bias Modal Verbs (Part 1)
with modal verbs Language Focus: Expressing Opinions using
Modal Verbs (Part 2)
Distinguish between Language Focus: Connotation vs. Denotation Quiz 3: Connotation, Denotation, and Bias 30 minutes
connotation and
denotation
5 Diversity and the Understand Video: What is Diversity? Quiz 1: Diversity in the Media 120 minutes
Media diversity and how Video: Race and Ethnicity in the Media Quiz 2: Diversity in the Media
diversity in the Video: Culture in the Media OPTIONAL Reading Practice: “Minorities See
media affects Video: WImen in the Media Improvement, Demand More Diversity on US
society Television”
OPTONAL Reading Practice: “Native Americans Take
Control of Their Story”

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Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time Required
OPTIONAL Reading Practice: “Social Media
Highlights Sexism in Olympics Coverage”

Recognize and be VideoL Language Focus: Using Negatives (not, Quiz 1: Diversity in the Media 30 minutes
able to use different no never, hardly ever) Quiz 2: Diversity in the Media
negatives (not, no,
hardly, hardly ever)
Identify transitions Video: Language Focus: Transitions OPTIONAL Discussion: How are Different Groups 15 minutes
in a text Depicted in the Media?
Discuss how Video: Diversity and Identity OPTIONAL Discussion: How are Different Groups 30 minutes
diversity Depicted in the Media?
representation in
the media affects
identity