• University of Strathclyde

Introduction to Journalism

Learn about the key principles and debates in journalism and enact the role of a journalist in the context of an escalating story.

30,884 enrolled on this course

A man being interviewed with microphones in the foreground and people taking notes in the background.
  • Duration

    6 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours

This free online course is aimed at those curious about journalism and looking to gain a better understanding of what the subject entails. Run by a team of internationally-renowned scholars and journalism practitioners at the University of Strathclyde, it gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the professional world of reporters and editors.

The course contains six topics - what makes a good news story; writing news; writing features; opinion writing; politics and journalism; and investigative journalism - and explores these in relation to a case study running throughout the six weeks. Although the scenario is entirely fictitious, participants will engage in tasks and discussions that reflect real-life situations in journalism.

Each week contains a variety of learning activities that will introduce concepts, challenge assumptions, facilitate understanding and hone new skills. You’ll be encouraged to discuss your thoughts with peers and tutors, generate and edit small pieces of writing, and comment on others’ work.

Several esteemed journalists from around the world will feature each week, as they discuss key topics in relation to their own work. By enacting the role of a journalist in the context of an escalating story, the course adheres to Strathclyde’s ethos of “a place of useful learning.”

Two feature articles written by learners as part of this course have been republished on our blog: “Muddy Waters” by Sharon Walker documents flooding in Genoa; and “David” by Shawn Basheer is a pen portrait of a Sri Lankan refugee.

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Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

Who is the course for?

The course has no formal requirements – rather than prior journalistic knowledge or experience, we ask only for an inquisitive mind.

Who will you learn with?

I'm a Senior Lecturer in Journalism and English at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK.

Who developed the course?

University of Strathclyde

The University of Strathclyde is a leading international technological university located in Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city, committed to useful learning.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

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