Class Journalism and Online Communities

Journalism and Online Communities is a theoretical and practical course aimed at equipping students to practice journalism within the context of online communities. The course focuses on both journalistic practice and theoretical and ethical reflection, addressing a new reality that challenges the profession to redefine itself. Throughout the semester, students are exposed to best practices and the most pressing challenges journalism faces as a social and professional activity, particularly in light of the impact of social media and other online communities.

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Online Communities Identity, genre and content Types of participation, motivations and values Examples of thriving communities Journalism for online communities Journalism vs content production Journalism for social networks Viral content and new narratives Social Network Management Impact monitoring The online community's contribution to journalism¿ Crowdsourcing: involve the community in journalism Metajournalism, comments and scrutiny

In this course, students are introduced to the topic of online communities, developing critical thinking about the challenges they present to journalism. Additionally, they gain practical experience with relevant tools. The classes combine theory and practice, starting with a theoretical foundation in the first few weeks, illustrated with examples, and progressing to more hands-on activities as the semester advances. Students are encouraged to discuss important issues in class and master key concepts and terms. The integration of Project-Based Learning is one of the main highlights of this course. By working on real projects throughout the semester, students apply concepts in practical contexts, leading to a deeper and more contextualized understanding of the material. This approach fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration—skills that are essential in today’s job market.

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