Journalism 250 - News Literacy
Spring
2019
01
4.00
Steve Fox
TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM
UMass Amherst
16181
Integ. Learning Center N255
stevejfox@journ.umass.edu
What is fact? What is fiction? Can we even tell the difference any more? Today's 24-hour news environment is saturated with a wide array of sources ranging from real-time citizen journalism reports, government propaganda and corporate spin to real-time blogging, photos and videos from around the world, as well as reports from the mainstream media.
In this class, students will become more discerning consumers of news. Students will use critical-thinking skills to develop the tools needed to determine what news sources are reliable in the digital world. Through readings, class discussion and written assignments, students will deconstruct stories, breaking down broadcast, print, web, and social media stories to determine those that are well-sourced and can be considered real news. Students will also discuss concepts such as objectivity, opinion, bias and fairness and how all contribute to the mix of news reports in today's digital landscape. (Gen. Ed. EB, DU)
In this class, students will become more discerning consumers of news. Students will use critical-thinking skills to develop the tools needed to determine what news sources are reliable in the digital world. Through readings, class discussion and written assignments, students will deconstruct stories, breaking down broadcast, print, web, and social media stories to determine those that are well-sourced and can be considered real news. Students will also discuss concepts such as objectivity, opinion, bias and fairness and how all contribute to the mix of news reports in today's digital landscape. (Gen. Ed. EB, DU)
Open to undergraduate students. Open to Freshmen and Sophomores of any major.