JOUR215
Social Media Skills
Whether you're interested in traditional print, broadcast, or web journalism, you’ll move into exciting new territory in this course. Social media allows us to engage with the public directly and in real-time. Learn these powerful social platforms to find stories, locate stakeholders online, start conversations, reach influencers, and foster your journalism career.
Instructor: Amy Robertson
This course is available only as part of the New Media Journalism Certificate.
What will I learn?
In this course, you’ll learn the following:
- What media outlets are looking for, and how decisions are made in the news room
- How socio-economic trends make news and influence news coverage
- How to pitch a story idea to an editor
- Basic ethical considerations, including how to recognize libel and slander
- How the popular social networks work, and what opportunities they provide
- Social search techniques for identifying key bloggers, tweeters, and social groups
- How to adapt a news story for social platforms
- How (and why) to monitor online conversations
- Approaches to promoting yourself and your journalism brand online
How will I learn?
- Lectures, discussions, and in-class exercises
- Readings and case studies
- Role playing
- In class assignment and presentations
How will I be evaluated?
- Assignment
- Work samples
- Class participation
Textbooks and learning materials
You need a copy of the Canadian Press Stylebook. We will provide other custom course materials.