Week 1: Introduction, Discussion 1 & Discussion 2

JRN425 Journalism and Politics

This course is designed to aid students in determining how the political

medium shapes the political methods. Students will study American

political journalism theory, current practice, convergence, and emerging

technological change and its impact on public opinion and policy.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

2

Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 1

COURSE AT A GLANCE ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4

COURSE DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4 COURSE DESIGN ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 COURSE PREREQUISITES ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 LEARNING OUTCOMES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4

COURSE MATERIALS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

REQUIRED TEXT ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 REQUIRED RESOURCES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Articles .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 RECOMMENDED RESOURCES .................................................................................................................................................................. 5

Websites ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 5

COMPONENTS OF COURSE EVALUATION ................................................................................................................................... 7

DISCUSSIONS .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 ASSIGNMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 FINAL RESEARCH PAPER ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7 COURSE GRADING .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Grading Percent Breakdown ............................................................................................................................................................. 9

WEEK ONE ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 10

COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Recommended Readings and Websites ............................................................................................................................................ 11 Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Assignment ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

WEEK TWO .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

3

Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Assignment ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

WEEK THREE ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 19

COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 19 Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Assignment ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

WEEK FOUR ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 22

COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 22 Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Recommended Website .................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Assignment ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 24

WEEK FIVE .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 26

COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Final Research Paper ..................................................................................................................................................................... 28

COURSE MAP ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 29

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

4

Course at a Glance Course Description This course is designed to aid students in determining how the political medium shapes the political methods. Students

will study American political journalism theory, current practice, convergence, and emerging technological change and its

impact on public opinion and policy.

Course Design JRN425: Journalism and Politics will examine the role of journalism, mass media, and American politics. The course will

consider different aspects of journalism and politics (including the media as an institution), how the media has changed

the American political environment, and how the rise of the Internet has changed American political reporting. JRN425

will also discuss media and journalism in action, specifically how journalists cover political news today and potential

biases found within the media as well as the relationship between news sources and government. Political reporting and

the impact on citizens will also be explored with an analysis of different types of media representations of political news

or news sources. Through a progression of related activities, students will write a Final Paper that discusses a significant

issue related to journalism and politics.

Course Prerequisites There are no prerequisites for JRN425.

Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of bias and the theories of media influence.

2. Analyze the effects of the media on political behavior.

3. Evaluate the power of the presidency and the media.

4. Analyze the media coverage of war and the military.

5. Evaluate interest groups use of the media in reaching congress.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

5

Course Materials

Required Text Graber, D. A., & Dunaway, J. (2015). Mass media and American politics (9th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

Publications.

Required Resources

Articles

Gerber, A.S., Karlan, D., & Bergan, D. (2009). Does the media matter? A field experiment measuring the effect of

newspapers on voting behavior and political opinions. American Economic Journal, 1(2), 35-52. Retrieved from

http://international.ucla.edu/media/files/bergan_gerber_karlan.pdf

Scheufele, D. A., & Tewksbury, D. (2007). Framing, agenda-setting, and priming: The evolution of three media effects

models. Journal of Communication, 57(1), 9-20.

Smith, A. (2014, Nov. 3). Cell phones, social media, and campaign 2014. Pew Internet Research Project. Retrieved from

http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/11/03/cell-phones-social-media-and-campaign-2014/

Recommended Resources

Websites

Clippings.me. (2015). Retrieved from https://clippings.me/

Mediabistro. (2011). How to build an online portfolio [Video File]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjdWjNU0nZ0

Pew Research Center. (2011). Pew research center reports on news media. Retrieved from

http://pewresearch.org/topics/newsmedia

The Poynter Institute. (2011). Poynter. Retrieved from http://www.poynter.org

Project for Excellence in Journalism. (2006-2011). Project for excellence in journalism. Retrieved from

http://www.journalism.org/

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

6

Speier, S. (2013). Digital portfolios for journalists: What are your options? Retrieved from

http://www.poynter.org/news/job-news/209794/digital-portfolios-for-journalists-what-are-your-options/

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

7

Components of Course Evaluation Multiple measures of evaluation are used in the course, allowing students opportunities to demonstrate their learning in

more than one way, and giving consideration to individual learning styles. Course components that will be evaluated

include:

Discussions Each week students will participate in online discussions with classmates, which are related to the week’s readings. These

discussions replace the interactive dialogue that occurs in the traditional classroom setting. Each week, students’ initial

discussion posts are due by 11:59 p.m. (of the time zone in which each student resides) on Day 3 (Thursday). Students

will have until 11:59 p.m. on Day 7 (the following Monday) to make the required minimum number of response posts to

classmates. Discussions represent 39% of the overall course grade.

Assignments There is a written assignment due in Weeks One through Four of this course. These assignments must reflect college-level

writing and critical thinking. Assignments represent 36% of the overall course grade.

Final Research Paper The final assignment for this course is a Final Research Paper. The purpose of the Final Research Paper is for you to

culminate the learning achieved in the course by analyzing a journalism and politics issue. The Final Research Paper

represents 25% of the overall course grade.

Focus of the Final Research Paper This Final Research Paper requires that you build on knowledge that you have obtained across the previous weeks. Each

topic is based on one of the theoretical concepts: framing, agenda-setting, or priming. You will choose one of the

following topics for your Final Research Paper:

• On the Agenda: How the media uses agenda-setting on political issues.

• Getting Framed: An analysis of framing of political issues in the news media.

• Primed for Action: How news organizations use social media to report political issues based on the priming

theory.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

8

For the paper, you will choose one political issue to focus on. You will also choose three different news media outlets

(print or electronic) to research. The political issues cannot duplicate any that you have investigated for previous

assignments. The issues must be recent (within the past year), controversial issues on a local, national, or international

level. In the paper, you must:

• Define the origins of the theoretical concept associated with the chosen topic.

• Identify and describe at least two previous studies conducted utilizing the theoretical concept in the investigation

of the media.

• Discuss the nature of the chosen political issue.

• Illustrate how the chosen media outlets present the political issues in relation to the applicable theoretical concept

through specific examples.

• Discuss the overall impact of the presentation of the political issues by the news media outlets in relation to the

theoretical concept.

In addition to the three media sources, a minimum of five scholarly resources must be used (Wikipedia, or any online

reference that allows user changes are not considered a scholarly source), three of which must be found in the Ashford

University Library. Acceptable resources are books, trade journals, other professional journals, newspapers, or

professional publications. Articles used should be less than five years old.

Writing the Final Research Paper The Final Research Paper:

1. Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length (excluding title and reference pages), and formatted according

to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

2. Must include a title page with the following:

a. Title of paper

b. Student’s name

c. Course name and number

d. Instructor’s name

e. Date submitted

3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.

4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

9

5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.

6. Must use at least eight scholarly resources, two of which can be found in the Ashford University Library, three

which must be media resources.

7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing

Center.

Course Grading

Grading Percent Breakdown

Discussions 39%

Assignments 36% Final Research Paper 25% Total: 100%

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

10

Week One

Course Content To be completed during the first week of class

Overview

Assignment Due Date Format Grading Percent Post Your Introduction Day 1

Discussion 1

The Politics of Media Day 3 (1st post)

Discussion 4

Media Connections Day 3 (1st post)

Discussion 4

Framing, Agenda-Setting, and Priming Day 7 Assignment

10

Learning Outcomes

This week students will:

1. Assess new media’s influence on politics and public perceptions.

2. Identify the roles of the media in politics.

3. Discuss the concepts of framing, agenda-setting, and priming in relation to coverage of political issues in the news

media.

Required Readings

1. To successfully complete this week’s discussions, read the following chapters from the text, Mass Media and

American Politics:

a. Chapter 1: Media Power and Government Control

b. Chapter 2: Ownership, Regulation, and Guidance of Media

2. To successfully complete this week’s assignment, “Framing, Agenda-Setting, and Priming,” read the following

article:

a. Framing, Agenda-Setting, and Priming: The Evolution of Three Media Effects Models

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

11

Recommended Readings and Websites

1. To successfully complete this week’s discussions, it is recommended that you review the material at the following

website:

a. Clippings.me

b. Mediabistro.

c. Pew Research Center Reports on News Media (The information in this website is updated on a regular

basis and will provide the student with the most recent and updated information on news sources for

consumers.)

d. Project for Excellence in Journalism (PEJ) – Understanding news in the Information Age (The

information in this website contains content analysis to examine trends in news coverage and aggregates

data related to the news industry.)

e. Digital portfolios for journalists: What are your options?

Discussions

Participate in the following discussions:

1. 1st Post Due by Day 1. Post Your Introduction.

PREPARE: Electronic portfolios are an essential tool for all aspiring journalists to showcase their work. Your

ePortfolio consists of pieces that you have written for classes, publications, and it also includes information that

will help a potential employer get to know you better. All JMC majors and minors are required to create and build

a digital portfolio throughout their studies in the program. This portfolio will be part of your culminating project

in JRN 497: Journalism Capstone.

REFLECT: If you have already created your digital portfolio, review it to see if it needs updating. Is your

portfolio well-organized? If others review it, will they be able to clearly understand your skills, qualifications, and

aspirations? If you have not yet created your digital portfolio, watch How to Build An Online Portfolio (written

transcript is linked in your online classroom) and Digital portfolios for journalists: What are your options? Then

choose one of the following to create your online portfolio: Clippings.me, Contently, MuckRack, or Pressfolios.

WRITE: Write a one paragraph bio that includes a link to your digital portfolio.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

12

RESPOND: Respond to at least three of your classmates' portfolios and bios. Use this forum to get acquainted

and for ongoing non-content related discussions.

2. 1st Post Due by Day 3. The Politics of Media.

Prepare: The coverage of politics in media is something that we encounter on a daily basis. Because it has

become so common, often times we do not stop to think critically about the information that is being presented.

Critical reflection on how media cover politics and the influence that it has is an essential skill for future

journalists and media practitioners. Read Chapter 1, “Media Power and Government Control,” in Mass Media and

American Politics.

Reflect: After reading the chapter, consider the role of news media related to the presentation of a current political

issue. Then, think critically about the following:

• How do you believe the media influences public opinion in regards to the issue you have chosen?

• How do you feel elected officials have responded to this impact of media influence on public opinion?

• Do you feel that the media has presented balanced coverage of both sides of the issue?

Write: Once you have considered each of the questions, write a 250- to 300-word response addressing each of

them. In your initial post, you must include at least one in-text citation from the reading material and an additional

in-text citation from a scholarly source that you locate in the Ashford University Library or from another credible

source. At the end of your post, include your name and a full reference for all sources cited in the body of your

post. All citations and references must adhere to APA style guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Check it! Your post must be submitted through Grammarly prior to submission.

Respond to Peers: After writing your initial post, read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two others

about what they discovered. Your responses should address them by name, be between 100 and 150 words in

length, and you must include your name at the end of each response.

3. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Media Connections.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

13

Prepare: In order to really understand the impact of the mass media on politics in our country, we must

understand the ties that bind media. In the textbook, read Chapter 2, “Ownership, Regulation, and Guidance of

Media,” in Mass Media and American Politics to begin thinking about the connections in the industry.

Reflect: After reading the chapter, evaluate the connections of a local or national news media entity of your

choice. Ownership and partnerships can easily be obtained by examining the website of the entity or conducting

an Internet search. Then, consider the following questions:

• Who owns the news media that you chose?

• Is the news media entity connected with other media or non-media companies? (Provide the names of

three connections)

• How do you believe these connections may influence political coverage in our country?

Write: Once you have considered each of the questions, write a 250- to 300-word response addressing each of

them. In your initial post, you must include at least one in-text citation from the reading material and an additional

in-text citation from a scholarly source that you locate in the Ashford University Library or from another credible

source. At the end of your post, include your name and a full reference for all sources cited in the body of your

post. All citations and references must adhere to APA style guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Check it! Your post must be submitted through Grammarly prior to submission.

Respond to Peers: After writing your initial post, read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two others

about what they discovered. Your responses should address them by name, be between 100 and 150 words in

length, and you must include your name at the end of each response.

Assignment

1. Due by Day 7. Framing, Agenda-Setting, and Priming. Read the article Framing, Agenda-Setting, and Priming:

The Evolution of Three Media Effects Models. Then, consider current news in recent weeks that has focused on

political issues. Choose one event in particular and analyze one source of media (newspaper, magazine, radio,

television, or Internet) and write a two- to three-page paper (excluding title and reference pages) that includes the

following:

• Define the concepts of framing, agenda-setting, and priming in relation to the mass media.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

14

• Identify examples and explain how the news outlet used framing, agenda-setting, and priming in the

reporting of the political issue.

• Discuss how framing, agenda-setting, and priming might impact the audience in regards to the particular

political issue.

The assignment must be completed using the APA style format and must include a title page, in-text citations, and

a full list of references at the end. You must cite at least one reference from the textbook and at least one reference

from scholarly outside reading material. References for each of the stories must also be included.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

15

Week Two

Course Content To be completed during the second week of class

Overview

Assignment Due Date Format Grading Percent Political Coverage Across Platforms Day 3

(1st post) Discussion 4

Internet Elections Day 3 (1st post)

Discussion 4

The Socialization of Politics Day 7

Assignment 10

Learning Outcomes

This week students will:

1. Recognize the effect public opinion has on political elections and elected officials behavior.

2. Investigate how different media sources influence different individuals.

3. Analyze why media influence is an important aspect of current wars.

4. Relate the term news management to elected and military officials.

Required Readings

1. To successfully complete this week’s discussions, read the following chapters from the text, Mass Media and

American Politics:

a. Chapter 4: Media and Politics in the Changing Media Landscape

b. Chapter 10: Media Influence on Attitudes and Behavior

c. Chapter 11: Elections in the Internet Age

2. To successfully complete this week’s assignment, view the following report from the Pew Research Internet

Project:

a. Smith, A. (2014, Nov. 3). Cell phones, social media, and campaign 2014. Pew Internet Research Project.

Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/11/03/cell-phones-social-media-and-campaign-2014/

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

16

Discussions

Participate in the following discussions:

1. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Political Coverage Across Platforms.

Prepare: In our society today, political coverage is not relegated to mainstream news media. We see political

coverage in social media as well as in alternative media. We have witnessed many political campaigns and issues

take rise out of dialogue on these platforms. Read Chapter 4, “Media and Politics in the Changing Media

Landscape,” of the textbook.

Reflect: After reading Chapter 4, consider how the various types of media that we have today have impacted the

political process.

• What, do you believe, are the two most prevalent media platforms for covering politics in today’s society?

• Do you believe that politicians are successfully leveraging the use of social media that is really making a

difference in our society?

• Do you believe that print and traditional broadcast media is still effective in the political process?

Write: Once you have considered each of the questions, write a 250- to 300-word response addressing each of

them. In your initial post, you must include at least one in-text citation from the reading material and an additional

in-text citation from a scholarly source that you locate in the Ashford University Library or from another credible

source. At the end of your post, include your name and a full reference for all sources cited in the body of your

post. All citations and references must adhere to APA style guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Check it! Your post must be submitted through Grammarly prior to submission.

Respond to Peers: After writing your initial post, read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two others

about what they discovered. Your responses should address them by name, be between 100 and 150 words in

length, and you must include your name at the end of each response.

2. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Internet Elections.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

17

Prepare: The Internet has changed the way that we do everything, especially politics. Chapter 11, “Elections in

the Internet Age” prompts us to think about how much the Internet has changed the way that politicians engage

with voters. As you read the chapter, think about current political candidates who are campaigning for an

upcoming election. This can be local, state, or a national election.

Reflect: After you have completed the reading and considered various candidates, choose one candidate that stood

out most, and then, think critically about the following questions:

• In what ways is the politician using the Internet to communicate their message?

• Does the politician allow for adequate engagement with the voters on their Internet pages?

• From the standpoint of a voter, do you believe that the message from the politician is easily

communicated to the voters?

Write: Once you have considered each of the questions, write a 250- to 300-word response addressing each of

them. In your initial post, you must include at least one in-text citation from the reading material and an additional

in-text citation from a scholarly source that you locate in the Ashford University Library or from another credible

source. At the end of your post, include your name and a full reference for all sources cited in the body of your

post. All citations and references must adhere to APA style guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Check it! Your post must be submitted through Grammarly prior to submission.

Respond to Peers: After writing your initial post, read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two others

about what they discovered. Your responses should address them by name, be between 100 and 150 words in

length, and you must include your name at the end of each response.

Assignment

1. Due by Day 7. The Socialization of Politics. Read Cell Phones, Social Media, and Campaign 2014 from the Pew

Research Internet Project. You should also read Chapter 10 of the textbook to be used as a reference to support

your ideas. Identify two news organizations in your state and determine which social media platforms they use

(Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.). Be sure to choose news organizations that are using the same

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

18

social media sites to disseminate their messages so that you can draw a comparison. For example, if News Outlet

A is using Facebook, be sure that News Outlet B is also using Facebook.

Write a three- to four-page paper (excluding the title and reference pages) in which you address the following:

• Describe the types of political issues the news media organization addresses on their social media

platforms.

• Discuss the level of engagement about political issues that the news media organization has with the

audience on the social media platforms (responding to questions).

• Discuss your opinions of how the news media organizations utilize the social media platforms to address

political issues.

The assignment must be completed using the APA style format and must include a title page, in-text citations, and

a full list of references at the end. You must cite at least one reference from the textbook and at least one reference

from scholarly outside reading material. References for each of the social media sites should also be included in

the reference list.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

19

Week Three

Course Content To be completed during the third week of class

Overview

Assignment Due Date Format Grading Percent Executive News Day 3

(1st post) Discussion 4

Covering the Courts Day 3 (1st post)

Discussion 4

Final Research Paper Outline Day 7

Assignment 8

Learning Outcomes

This week students will:

1. Assess way(s) in which political power and authority impacts journalism.

2. Identify the roles of reporters and government officials in political reporting on the local level.

3. Develop an outline for the Final Research Paper.

Required Readings

1. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters from the text, Mass Media and

American Politics:

a. Chapter 5: News Making and News Reporting Routines

b. Chapter 6: The Media as Policy Makers

c. Chapter 7: The Struggle for Control: News from the Presidency and Congress

d. Chapter 8: Media Covering the Justice System and State and Local News

Discussions

Participate in the following discussions:

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

20

1. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Executive News.

Prepare: In Chapter 7, “The Struggle for Control: News from the Presidency and Congress,” of the textbook, the

authors provide four major functions of the media to the Executive Branch of government. The chapter helps us to

understand how the media operates when it comes to reporting news from or that deals with the federal

government

Reflect: After reading the chapter, think about some guiding principles that you believe journalists should adhere

to when reporting news related to the federal government. After you have considered several principles, choose

three of them and think about the following:

• How should a journalist use each principle in fulfilling their duties to the American public?

• How can a journalist use each principle to fulfill their duties while effectively operating in the four

capacities discussed in the chapter?

Write: Once you have considered each of the questions, write a 250- to 300-word response addressing each of

them. In your initial post, you must include at least one in-text citation from the reading material and an additional

in-text citation from a scholarly source that you locate in the Ashford University Library or from another credible

source. At the end of your post, include your name and a full reference for all sources cited in the body of your

post. All citations and references must adhere to APA style guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Check it! Your post must be submitted through Grammarly prior to submission.

Respond to Peers: After writing your initial post, read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two others

about what they discovered. Your responses should address them by name, be between 100 and 150 words in

length, and you must include your name at the end of each response.

2. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Covering the Courts. On a fairly frequent basis we see journalists covering stories about

the judicial system. Graber and Dunaway (2015) note that “Because of the shortage of skilled legal reporters,

much reporting on the courts—even the Supreme Court—is imprecise and sometimes outright wrong.” After

reading “Covering State and Local Affairs” in Chapter 8 of the textbook, find a news story that focuses on the

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

21

justice system in your city or state. The story can appear in print or electronic media and can be from mainstream

or alternative media. Analyze the story and discuss the following in your response:

• Is the story of national or local significance?

• Does the reporter provide relevant facts that clearly explain the impact of the issue on the community or

state?

• Does the reporter seem to be knowledgeable about the political or judicial process in delivering the

information?

Your initial post should be 250 to 350 words in length. Your opinions must be supported with at least one

reference from the textbook. You may include additional references from other scholarly sources. The initial post

must include in-text citations and full references at the end, adhering to APA style. Respond to at least two of your

classmates’ posts by Day 7.

Assignment

1. Due by Day 7. Final Research Paper Outline. Review the Final Research Paper instructions in Week Five.

Then, develop an outline using the sample outline format in the Ashford Writing Center. To access the Ashford

Writing Center, click on the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar in the online classroom. Click

on the “Writing Resources” tab, go to “Writing Tools” and then select “Outline” from the list of menu items.

In the outline, you must:

• Compose a clear thesis statement.

• Develop at least five body paragraphs with supporting evidence and explanations (each body paragraph

must include at least one scholarly source as supporting evidence).

• Rephrase the thesis in a concluding paragraph.

• Include a reference page with all five scholarly sources cited in the outline in APA format.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

22

Week Four

Course Content To be completed during the fourth week of class

Overview

Assignment Due Date Format Grading Percent Worlds Apart Day 3

(1st post) Discussion 4

It’s a Different World Day 3 (1st post)

Discussion 4

Taking Sides Day 7

Assignment 8

Learning Outcomes

This week students will:

1. Analyze the role of investigative journalism as it relates to reporting on political issues in other countries.

2. Examine the cultural aspects of political reporting in other countries.

3. Analyze print and broadcast news stories to determine political bias.

Required Readings

1. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters from the text, Mass Media and

American Politics:

a. Chapter 9: Foreign Affairs Coverage

b. Chapter 12: Incivility, Negativity, and Bias in the Media

Recommended Website

1. To successfully complete this week’s discussion, “The Ethics of Embedded Journalists,” it is recommended that

you review the material at the following website:

a. Poynter. (This website provides additional insight on the role of an embedded journalist.)

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

23

Discussions

Participate in the following discussions:

1. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Worlds Apart.

Prepare: The political news that we receive on a daily basis is not only about the politics of our country, but we

are riddled with stories about the politics of other countries. Many times audience members may not fully

understand the reason for the coverage or the impact that it has on the United States. Read Chapter 9, “Foreign

Affairs Coverage,” in the textbook to explore these areas further.

Reflect: After reading the chapter, conduct an Internet search to analyze news coverage on politics in other

countries. Choose one story from a mainstream news organization such as The New York Times, The Washington

Post, CNN, MSNBC, etc. In your response, respond to the following questions:

• Did the coverage help you to understand the political process and/or issue in the country being reported

on?

• From the report, is there a clear indication of the impact of the political issue on the United States?

Write: Once you have considered each of the questions, write a 250- to 300-word response addressing each of

them. In your initial post, you must include at least one in-text citation from the reading material and an additional

in-text citation from a scholarly source that you locate in the Ashford University Library or from another credible

source. At the end of your post, include your name and a full reference for all sources cited in the body of your

post. All citations and references must adhere to APA style guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Check it! Your post must be submitted through Grammarly prior to submission.

Respond to Peers: After writing your initial post, read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two others

about what they discovered. Your responses should address them by name, be between 100 and 150 words in

length, and you must include your name at the end of each response.

2. 1st Post Due by Day 3. It’s a Different World.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

24

Prepare: It can be quite perplexing to grasp the reasons for political decisions and behaviors in other countries

without an understanding of the culture of a country. As future journalists, it is important to critically examine the

cultural impact of news coverage.

Reflect: Considering the same news coverage that you analyzed in Discussion One, think about the following

questions:

• Was there anything in the report that helped you to understand the culture of the country and the impact

of it on the political process or issue?

• Did the news report attempt to compare and contrast the political culture of the United States with the

foreign country?

• If the report did provide cultural insight, did the tone communicate respect or criticism of the culture and

political process or issue?

Write: Once you have considered each of the questions, write a 250- to 300-word response addressing each of

them. In your initial post, you must include at least one in-text citation from the reading material and an additional

in-text citation from a scholarly source that you locate in the Ashford University Library or from another credible

source. At the end of your post, include your name and a full reference for all sources cited in the body of your

post. All citations and references must adhere to APA style guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Check it! Your post must be submitted through Grammarly prior to submission.

Respond to Peers: After writing your initial post, read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two others

about what they discovered. Your responses should address them by name, be between 100 and 150 words in

length, and you must include your name at the end of each response.

Assignment

1. Due by Day 7. Taking Sides. Read Chapter 12 in Mass Media and American Politics. Then, review two print

articles and listen to two broadcast reports about a recent story that made both national and local news where

politics is at the forefront of the issue. One article and broadcast should be from your local news media outlets

(city or state) and the other should be from national news media outlets.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

25

In a two- to three-page paper (excluding title and reference pages), address the following:

• Discuss the overall nature of the news entities that wrote the story (i.e. mainstream vs. alternative, liberal

vs. conservative).

• Identify and discuss at least one type of political bias that appears in each of the stories.

• Describe the differences in the political aspects in the print and the broadcast reports.

• Discuss how each of the stories could have eliminated the political bias.

The assignment must be completed using the APA style format and must include a title page, in-text citations, and

a full list of references at the end. You must cite at least two references from the textbook and at least one

reference from scholarly outside reading material. References for each of the stories must also be included.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

26

Week Five

Course Content To be completed during the fifth week of class

Overview

Assignment Due Date Format Grading Percent Call to Action Day 3

(1st post) Discussion 3

Voices of the Citizens Day 3 (1st post)

Discussion 3

Final Research Paper Day 7

Final Research Paper 25

Learning Outcomes

This week students will:

1. Analyze the influence of the media in effecting policy changes through political reporting.

2. Assess the impact of citizen journalism on political issues.

3. Analyze political news coverage based on the concepts of framing, agenda-setting, or priming theory.

Required Readings

1. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters from the text, Mass Media and

American Politics:

a. Chapter 6: The Media as Policy Makers

b. Chapter 13: Current Trends and Future Directions

Discussions

Participate in the following discussions:

1. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Call to Action.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

27

Prepare: One of the major impacts of the media is the ability to effect change.

While that is a welcome characteristic to us as citizens, it can come as an unwelcome function to those who find

themselves at the center of corruption, scandal, and social injustices. Read Chapter 6, “The Media as Policy

Makers” in the textbook and pay particular attention to the section “Muckraking Models.”

Reflect: Think about the concept “muckraking” and choose one of the three types to explore further by choosing a

local news story that contains characteristics of it.

• In your own words, what does “muckracking” mean?

• What are the specific types of “muckracking”?

• How does the story you chose fit the particular type of “muckracking” you identified?

Write: Once you have considered each of the questions, write a 250- to 300-word response addressing each of

them. In your initial post, you must include at least one in-text citation from the reading material and an additional

in-text citation from a scholarly source that you locate in the Ashford University Library or from another credible

source. At the end of your post, include your name and a full reference for all sources cited in the body of your

post. All citations and references must adhere to APA style guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Check it! Your post must be submitted through Grammarly prior to submission.

Respond to Peers: After writing your initial post, read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two others

about what they discovered. Your responses should address them by name, be between 100 and 150 words in

length, and you must include your name at the end of each response.

2. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Voices of the Citizens.

Prepare: Citizen journalism is an area that has seen widespread growth in the past several years. So much so that

news organizations have embraced the idea rather than trying to compete with those who deem themselves as

citizen journalists. Read “Citizen Journalism” in Chapter 13 of the textbook to explore citizen journalism more

closely.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

28

Reflect: Once you have read the material, visit a mainstream media entity’s website (ABC, MSNBC, CNN, etc.)

to discover if they have a section that embraces stories and video from readers If so, take a close look at some of

the reports on the sites by citizen journalists and consider the following questions:

• Does the citizen journalist adequately address the political nature of the topic of the story?

• Does the citizen journalist call readers and viewers to action about the political issue or topic?

• How does story differ in comparison to one that may be written by a professional journalist?

Write: Once you have considered each of the questions, write a 250- to 300-word response addressing each of

them. In your initial post, you must include at least one in-text citation from the reading material and an additional

in-text citation from a scholarly source that you locate in the Ashford University Library or from another credible

source. At the end of your post, include your name and a full reference for all sources cited in the body of your

post. All citations and references must adhere to APA style guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Check it! Your post must be submitted through Grammarly prior to submission.

Respond to Peers: After writing your initial post, read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two others

about what they discovered. Your responses should address them by name, be between 100 and 150 words in

length, and you must include your name at the end of each response.

Final Research Paper

1. Due by Day 7. Final Research Paper. The complete instructions for the Final Research Paper can be found in

Week Five of your online course or in the “Components of Course Evaluation” section of this guide.

JRN425: Journalism and Politics Online

29

Course Map The course map illustrates the careful design of the course through which each learning objective is supported by one or

more specific learning activities in order to create integrity and pedagogical depth in the learning experience.

Learning Outcome Week Assignment

1. Demonstrate an understanding of bias and the theories of media influence.

1 1 1

2 3 4 5

 The Politics of Media Discussion  Media Connections Discussion  Framing, Agenda-Setting, and Priming

Assignment  The Socialization of Politics Assignment  Final Research Paper Outline Assignment  Taking Sides Assignment  Final Research Paper

2. Analyze the effects of the media on political

behavior. 1 2 2 4 5

 Framing, Agenda-Setting, and Priming Assignment

 Political Coverage Across Platforms Discussion

 Internet Elections Discussion  Taking Sides Assignment  Final Research Paper

3. Evaluate the power of the presidency and the

media. 3 3 5

 Executive News Discussion  Covering the Courts Discussion  Final Research Paper

4. Analyze the media coverage of war and the

military. 2 2 4 4 4 5

 Political Coverage Across Platforms Discussion

 Internet Elections Discussion  Worlds Apart Discussion  It’s a Different World Discussion  Taking Sides Assignment  Final Research Paper

5. Evaluate interest groups use of the media in

reaching congress. 1 5 5 5

 The Politics of Media Discussion  Call to Action Discussion  Voices of the Citizens Discussion  Final Research Paper