Academic Catalogs

DMC C162: Social Media and Mobile Journalism

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/06/2024
Top Code 060100 - Media and Communications, General
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S)

Course Description

This course explores the intersection of social media and mobile journalism, examining how these platforms are transforming news reporting and consumption. Students will learn the fundamentals of creating compelling journalistic content for mobile devices and social media platforms, understand the ethical implications of digital journalism, and develop skills in multimedia storytelling. The course will include hands-on assignments that encourage students to produce and share news stories using mobile technology while considering the dynamics of audience engagement and digital distribution. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Describe the impact of social media and mobile technology on contemporary journalism practices.
  2. Demonstrate technical skills in mobile reporting, including video production, photography, and audio editing.
  3. Analyze ethical dilemmas in digital journalism and articulate appropriate responses.
  4. Produce original news stories optimized for social media platforms using various multimedia elements.
  5. Evaluate audience engagement metrics and strategies for improving content visibility and interaction.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Trace the development of journalism in the context of social media and mobile technology.
  • 2. Acquire proficiency in using mobile devices for capturing, editing, and distributing news content.
  • 3. Analyze the ethical considerations and challenges associated with social media and mobile journalism.
  • 4. Produce high-quality multimedia stories suitable for various social media platforms.
  • 5. Assess the effectiveness of different strategies for audience engagement and content distribution.

Lecture Content

Introduction to social media and journalism Historical context of journalism Role of social media in news distribution Mobile journalism fundamentals Tools and technologies for mobile reporting Capturing video content Capturing audio content Editing video content Editing audio content Ethics in digital journalism Credibility Accuracy Bias Ethical dilemmas in social media Multimedia Storytelling techniques Developing narratives with video

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

    • Instructional Techniques

    Lecture, discussion, written assignments, oral presentation, project, case-study, and use of social media platforms.

    Reading Assignments

    Weekly readings from selected texts covering theoretical and practical aspects of social media and mobile journalism. Articles and case studies analyzing current trends and ethical issues in the field.

    Writing Assignments

    Reflection papers on assigned readings to encourage critical thinking about the implications of mobile journalism. Short essays analyzing ethical scenarios and case studies in digital journalism.

    Out-of-class Assignments

    Mobile reporting projects where students will produce news stories, including written articles, videos, and podcasts. Social media campaigns designed to promote their stories, including creating engaging posts and analyzing audience interaction. Participation in online discussions and peer reviews to foster collaborative learning and feedback.

    Demonstration of Critical Thinking

    By making decisions about what is appropriate to post on social media, and doing the posts, students will exhibit critical thinking skills, in addition to showing they understand when and when not to engage with readers.

    Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

    Students will use social media to drive traffic to their personal profiles as well as the newspapers. Each post students make will require journalistic writing techniques and decision making in not only what to post and what not to post, but how to promote it. Analytics will determine the success of moving traffic through the use of social media.

    Eligible Disciplines

    Communication studies (speech communication): Master's degree in speech, speech broadcasting, telecommunications, rhetoric, communication, communication studies, speech communication, or organizational communication OR bachelor's degree in any of the above AND master's degree in drama/ theater arts, mass communication, or English OR the equivalent. Master's degree required. Journalism: Master's degree in journalism or communication with a specialization in journalism OR bachelor's degree in either of the above AND master's degree in English, history, communication, literature, composition, comparative literature, any social science, business, business administration, marketing, graphics, or photography OR the equivalent. Master's degree required. Mass communication: Master's degree in radio, television, film, mass communication, or journalism OR bachelor's degree in any of the above AND master's degree in drama/theater arts, communication, communication studies, business, telecommunications, or English OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.

    Textbooks Resources

    1. Required Briggs, M.. Journalism Next: A Practical Guide to Digital Reporting and Publishing, 4th ed. Sage, 2020 2. Required Van Tassel, J., Schmitz, J.. The New News The Journalist?s Guide to Producing Digital Content for Online & Mobile News, ed. Routledge, 2020