Making Sense of News: Critical Skills for Digital Citizens
Develop critical thinking to identify reliable information in news reports. Learn key elements of journalism for informed citizenship.
Develop critical thinking to identify reliable information in news reports. Learn key elements of journalism for informed citizenship.
This course aims to develop critical thinking skills to help learners better identify reliable information in news reports and become more informed digital citizens. It covers key elements of journalism from the audience's perspective, addressing challenges unique to the digital era. Topics include distinguishing credible journalism from misinformation, understanding news cycles and media bias, evaluating sources, and applying news literacy concepts in real life. The course emphasizes the urgency of news literacy in an age of fake news, propaganda, and misinformation. Through a mix of video lessons, readings, quizzes, and discussions, learners will gain practical skills to navigate the modern information landscape and become more discerning news consumers.
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বাংলা, اردو, 中文（繁體）, 2 more
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What you'll learn
Understand the importance of news literacy in the digital age
Distinguish credible journalism from other types of information
Identify trustworthy sources of news and information
Recognize media bias and evaluate fairness in reporting
Apply critical thinking skills to news consumption
Navigate challenges of digital citizenship and information overload
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
2.3 Hours PreRecorded video
12 quizzes
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
FullTime access
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There are 6 modules in this course
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to news literacy in the digital age. It covers essential topics such as distinguishing credible journalism from other types of information, identifying trustworthy sources, recognizing media bias, and applying critical thinking to news consumption. The curriculum is structured around six key themes: the power of information in consumers' hands, defining journalism, finding reliable information, recognizing bias, applying news literacy in real life, and meeting digital citizenship challenges. Through a combination of video lectures, readings, quizzes, and discussions, learners develop practical skills to navigate the complex modern media landscape. The course emphasizes the importance of being an informed and critical news consumer in an era of misinformation and digital manipulation.
Making sense of the news is more important than ever
Module 1 · 2 Hours to complete
What is news and who decides?
Module 2 · 2 Hours to complete
Where can we find trustworthy information?
Module 3 · 2 Hours to complete
Says who?
Module 4 · 2 Hours to complete
How do I apply news literacy skills?
Module 5 · 2 Hours to complete
Meeting the challenges of digital citizenship
Module 6 · 1 Hours to complete
Fee Structure
Payment options
Financial Aid
Instructors
Assistant Professor
Dr. Masato Kajimoto is a journalism educator and researcher specializing in news literacy education, multimedia storytelling, and the role of social media in journalism. His work integrates learning analytics, media and cultural studies, and narrative analysis. A former online reporter and “Specials” editor at CNN, Masato has written extensively in both English and Japanese. Born in Nagoya, Japan, he holds a BA in English and American Literature from Chuo University, an MA in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Hong Kong. He leads the Asia Pacific Digital Citizens Project at JMSC and serves as an Affiliate Professor at the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University.
Dean
Howard Schneider is the Founding Dean of the School of Journalism at Stony Brook University, where he led the creation of SUNY’s first journalism school in 2006. A former reporter and editor at Newsday for over 35 years, including 18 years as managing editor and editor, he oversaw the newspaper during a period in which it won eight Pulitzer Prizes and pioneered news websites. At Stony Brook, Schneider developed the nation’s first News Literacy course, now adopted by universities worldwide, and serves as Executive Director of the Center for News Literacy. He also collaborated with Alan Alda to establish the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, which trains scientists to communicate effectively with the public. A recipient of several prestigious awards, including the DeWitt Reddick Award for Public Communications and Journalism Education and the Columbia Journalism School Alumnus Award, Schneider holds a B.A. in Journalism and Psychology from Syracuse University and an M.S. from Columbia University.
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Frequently asked questions
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