English for Journalism MOOC Syllabus

Fall 2022 – October 3 – December 23, 2022

INSTRUCTOR INFO RM AT IO N
Instructor Email
Kenny 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 October 3 to December 23, 2022
The orientation module and Module 1 will open on October 3 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 December 23, 2022. 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

© 2022 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
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 October 3 to December 23, 2022. In order to complete the course, participants
shouldwork 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
December 23, 2022
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 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 CHED UL E
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 1: The History of Journalism 75 min.
Journalism developments and Days Quiz 1: History of Journalism
milestones in Video: The History of Journalism 2: 1690 - Quiz 2: History of Journalism
journalism. Present
Use the simple past Video: Language Focus: Talking about the Quiz 3: Talking about the Past 75 min
and past progressive Past Private Journal 2: The Interrupted Past
to report and OPTIONAL Discussion: The Interrupted
describe Past
past events.
Identify word formsto Video: Language Focus: Word Families Quiz 4: Language Focus: Word Families 30 min
expand your
vocabulary.
Identify the core Video: Principles of Journalism 1: Gathering Quiz 5: Principles of Journalism 90 min
principles of journalism Sources Private Journal 3: 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 Quiz 6: Choosing a Topic 75 min
Research, strategies to Topic Video: Private Journal 4: Choose Your
Pitch, and research a news Researching an idea TopicDiscussion: Choose Your
Interview story. Topic
Identify the Video: Pitching a Story to Newspapers Quiz 7: Research, Pitch, and 75 min
strategies to pitch a and Magazines Interview Private Journal 5: Make
news story. Video: Pitching a Radio Story Your Pitch
Discussion Make Your Pitch
Identify and Video: Language Focus: Asking Questions Quiz 8: Asking Questions 30 min
practice question
forms in order to
conduct an
interview.

3
Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time
Required
Identify the elements Video: Interviewing Sources – Reliability, Facts, Quiz 9: Reliable Sources 90 min
of an effective and Opinions Private Journal 6: Write Your Interview
interview. Video: Interviewing Sources: Listening Questions
Strategies Private Journal 7: Predict Responses
and Opinions
Identify and practice Video: Language Focus: Quoting Sources Quiz 10: Reporting Verbs 90 min
quoted and reported and Reporting Verbs Practice Quiz: Using Reported Speech
speech in order to Video: Language Focus: Using Reported Speech Private Journal 8: Post-Interview
conduct an ReflectionQuiz 11: Reported Speech
interview.
3 Words in Print Identify the processof Video: Print Media: From Topic to Quiz 12: The Process and the Front 120 min
writing a story ina Article Video: Writing Articles Using PagePrivate Journal 9: Create Your
newspaper and the the InvertedPyramid Style Outline Private Journal 11: Write
general structure of Video: Reporting Accurately Your Article Private Journal 12:
an Edit Your Article Discussion:
article. Publish Your Article
Identify types of Video: Types of Quiz 13: Leads and Lead 75 min
leads and how to Leads Video: Types Private Journal 10:
create a lead. Creating a Lead Write Your Lead
Discussion: Write Your Lead
Be able to ensure that Video: Language Focus: Subject-Verb Quiz 14: Subject-Verb Agreement 30 min
the subject of alead Agreement
agrees with its
verb.
Be able to form a Video: Language Focus: Structure of Active Quiz 16: 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 15: Applying AP Style 30 min
and applyelements of
Associated Press Style
(capitalization,
numbers, and
dates)

4 Broadcasting Identify the Video: The Language of Broadcast Journalism Quiz 16: Broadcast Journalism Vocabulary 60 min
the News features of Video: The People of Broadcast Journalism
broadcast Video: Types of Stories for Broadcast
journalism Journalism

4
Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time
Required
Compare broadcast Video: Ratings in TV News: How Journalists Quiz 17: Print vs. Broadcast Journalism 90 min
journalism and print Compete Private Journal 13: Transform Your Article for a
media. Video: Sensationalism in TV News TV 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 18: 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 Identify the ways Video: Origins and Current State of the Quiz 19: Origins and Current State of the 120 min
Media digital technology DigitalAge Digital Age Quiz 20: New Media Language and
Journal has impacted print Video: New Media Language and Structure
ism and broadcast StructureVideo: Types of New Media
journalism. Stories
Video: The Impact on the Journalistic Process
Video: The Impact on Traditional Media
Use the present perfect Video: Language Focus: Present Perfect Form Quiz 21: Present Perfect Form 30 min
to discuss the impact of
digital technology in
journalism.

Use data commentary Video: Language Focus: Data Commentary Quiz 22: Choose the Appropriate Data 90 min
and new vocabulary to Video: Challenge One: The Digital Divide Commentary
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