The goal of this course is to prepare teachers to enter the ever-changing world of "news media" with confidence, as well as to help students critically evaluate objectivity, subjectivity, and motivation in the field of journalism. Teachers will learn how to educate and challenge students' perceptions of so-called fake news, the influence of social media on journalism, and the blurred lines between news, entertainment, and marketing. Hot-button issues such as migration, identity politics, and minorities in the news will receive special attention. We will look at how to help students gain a better understanding of citizen journalism, the impact of social media on what journalists write about, and the relationship between trust in the media and democracy. You will learn how to pique students' interest in real-world examples of journalistic bias by emphasizing the tangible impact media can have on their lives.

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Goals:

• The ability to create media literacy lesson plans with confidence using a variety of digital sources of interest to students and their families.

•  The ability to provide students with concrete examples of media motivation that they had not previously considered.

• Knowledge and skills to challenge students' understanding of the inclusion and exclusion of topics and information by journalists.

•  Knowledge and skills to give students hands-on experience learning how the blurring of journalism and advertising affects their lives.

• Knowledge and skills to equip students with the tools they need to critically evaluate the concept of fake news and its potential impact on democratic institutions like voting.

• Knowledge, skills, and tools for dealing with the interaction of social media and news organizations.

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