Gathering and Developing the News

About this course: Journalists develop information through interviews and sources. The most successful journalists quickly master these important skill sets. The production of journalism relies on several elements: newsgathering, interviewing sources, researching and trying to find as much information as possible. The course will also teach you how to where to find information, interviewing skills and how to process information from various sources for publication.

Created by:  Michigan State University

• Taught by:  Joanne Gerstner, Sports Journalist in Residence

  Michigan State University School of Journalism

• Taught by:  Jeremy Steele, Specialist

  Michigan State University School of Journalism

• Taught by:  David Poulson, Instructor

  School of Journalism

• Taught by:  Eric Freedman, Instructor

  School of Journalism

• Taught by:  Joe Grimm, Instructor

  School of Journalism

• Taught by:  Lucinda D. Davenport, Director & Professor

  School of Journalism

Basic Info Course 2 of 5 in the Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization Commitment 4 weeks of study, 1-3 hours/week Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.6 stars Average User Rating 4.6See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.

Michigan State University Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Earning and keeping trust



How - and where - journalists obtain information can determine if their news reports will be deemed credible and trustworthy by their audience. Finding the best sources for information and quotes is a process conducted by every professional journalist. You will learn the best ways to find information and sources for your reporting.


4 videos, 3 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: Sources in journalism
2. Practice Quiz: What are sources?
3. Discussion Prompt: Documents and news
4. Video: Why should journalists use sources?
5. Practice Quiz: Why use sources?
6. Discussion Prompt: Finding expert sources
7. Video: Obstacles to reporting
8. Practice Quiz: Reporting obstacles
9. Video: Why sources should trust us?
10. Discussion Prompt: Why should anyone ever trust a journalist?

Graded: Identifying and reviewing reporting obstacles
Graded: Working with sources

WEEK 2


Types of sources



Successful journalists understand the need to bring in different types of information and voices to create a strong and accurate news report. You will learn how journalists carefully consider sourcing, and how to effectively and ethically interact with sources.


4 videos, 4 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: Why diversity matters
2. Practice Quiz: Sources and diversity
3. Video: Rules for dealing with sources
4. Discussion Prompt: Using anonymous sources
5. Practice Quiz: Rules for dealing with sources
6. Video: Protecting sources
7. Practice Quiz: Protecting sources
8. Discussion Prompt: Protecting sources...and you
9. Video: News Literacy
10. Practice Quiz: News literacy and the public
11. Discussion Prompt: Discussion about news literacy

Graded: Seeking diversity
Graded: Sourcing areas for journalists

WEEK 3


Interviewing



The interview is one of the most powerful tools of journalistic newsgathering. You will learn how journalists use interviews, the different forms it can take, how you can best prepare for it, and how to be sensitive to those who have been through trauma. A good interview can make a news report. And a bad interview can sink it.


4 videos, 1 reading, 4 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: Preparing for interviews
2. Practice Quiz: Interview prep
3. Video: How to conduct effective interviews
4. Practice Quiz: Conducting the interview
5. Reading: Interviewing scientists and others
6. Video: How to conduct person-on-the-street interviews
7. Practice Quiz: Person-on-the-street interviews
8. Video: Working with trauma survivors
9. Practice Quiz: Survivors of trauma
10. Peer Review: Victims or survivors?

Graded: Developing questions
Graded: Interviewing strangers on the street.
Graded: The interview

WEEK 4


Tools for finding sourcing
Technology and moving beyond typical sources is letting journalists reach more sources than ever before. You will learn how to use crowdsourcing, social media, press conferences and online resources as valuable tools to enhance your reporting.


4 videos, 4 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: How to use crowd sourcing
2. Practice Quiz: Crowd sourcing
3. Video: How journalists use social media
4. Practice Quiz: Social media and finding sources
5. Video: Using documents
6. Practice Quiz: Using documents
7. Peer Review: Assessing documents
8. Video: How to navigate press conferences
9. Practice Quiz: Press Conferences

Graded: Tools for Finding Sources