Open Educational Resources and Journalism

This collection was curated by an ASCCC OERI discipline lead. A comprehensive list of current discipline leads is available.

Introduction to Mass Communications (C-ID JOUR 100)

  • Media Studies 101 (Pearson, 2013) in Pressbooks (CC BY-NC-SA)

    This text offers a collaborative effort of media and communication study academics from New England, Australia and the Pacific to outline the origins of mass communication, its theories and relevance in society.

  • Media, Society, Culture and You (Poepsel, 2018) (CC BY)

    Media, Society, Culture and You grew out of an experiment in developing and employing open educational resources (OER) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Professors from various disciplines were encouraged to find or develop texts to replace or supplement course materials. Because the field of mass communication changes so rapidly, the author of this text decided to “go all in” on OER materials and develop, write, and edit the first version of this electronic textbook with plans to update it at least once per year. Chapters are kept relatively short, but links lead down various intellectual paths for curious readers to follow.

  • Understanding Media and Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication (Saylor Academy) (CC BY-NC-SA)

    Note: The version adapted by the University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing Services is unpublished as of 12/31/24.
    Understanding Media and Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication is adapted from a work produced and distributed under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC-SA) in 2010 by a publisher who has requested that they and the original author not receive attribution. The version adapted by BC Campus has restricted access.

Module Sample Breakdown for C-ID JOUR 100:

Introduction to Reporting and Newswriting (C-ID JOUR 110)

  • Broccoli and Chocolate: A Beginner’s Guide to Journalism News Writing (Hiro, 2024) (CC BY-SA)

    This is a free, 10-chapter textbook for the introductory journalism course. It was created by a veteran community college journalism professor with consultation of other journalism professors around the state.

  • Writing for Electronic Media (Champagne, 2017) (CC BY-NC-SA)

    Brian Champagne wrote a casual but incredibly informative layout for journalists yearning to tackle reporting, interviewing and multimedia in the digital world. He writes that this book does not teach the who, what, when, where, why, and how of reporting; its goal is to teach how to present the journalism already known via electronic media, primarily television. Further he declares, “A reporter who understands her medium knows she must write words to fit her video. In this book it is Rule #1: Write to Video. Write that on your hand, the wall, and your computer monitor. Needlepoint it onto fabric, etch it in metal, and carve it in wood.” It is a perfect addition to any aspiring newsroom.

Module Sample Breakdown for C-ID JOUR 110:

Multimedia Reporting (C-ID JOUR 120)

  • Writing for Electronic Media (Champagne, 2017) (CC BY-NC-SA)

    Brian Champagne wrote a casual but incredibly informative layout for journalists yearning to tackle reporting, interviewing and multimedia in the digital world. He writes that this book does not teach the who, what, when, where, why, and how of reporting; its goal is to teach how to present the journalism already known via electronic media, primarily television. Further he declares, “A reporter who understands her medium knows she must write words to fit her video. In this book it is Rule #1: Write to Video. Write that on your hand, the wall, and your computer monitor. Needlepoint it onto fabric, etch it in metal, and carve it in wood.” It is a perfect addition to any aspiring newsroom.

Module Sample Breakdown for C-ID JOUR 120:

Lower Division Student Media Practicum I (C-ID JOUR 130)

  • A Guide to Newswriting, Third Edition (Cuslidge-Staiano, 2024) (CC BY-NC-SA)

    An online flipbook created through San Joaquin Delta College by Tara Cuslidge-Staiano to serve as a comprehensive, standalone resource. This is an excellent resource for the news production classes and is a recent creation.

  • Writing for Electronic Media (Champagne, 2017) (CC BY-NC-SA)

    Brian Champagne wrote a casual but incredibly informative layout for journalists yearning to tackle reporting, interviewing and multimedia in the digital world. He writes that this book does not teach the who, what, when, where, why, and how of reporting; its goal is to teach how to present the journalism already known via electronic media, primarily television. Further he declares, “A reporter who understands her medium knows she must write words to fit her video. In this book it is Rule #1: Write to Video. Write that on your hand, the wall, and your computer monitor. Needlepoint it onto fabric, etch it in metal, and carve it in wood.” It is a perfect addition to any aspiring newsroom.

  • Web Literacy for Student Fact Checkers (Caufield, 2021) – Pressbooks (CC BY-NC-SA)

    In this book Caulfield outlines how to fact check a variety of mediums, including Twitter identities, images, and much more. He offers short and informative chapters that help to guide students to primary sources and in depth research.

Module Sample Breakdown for C-ID JOUR 130:

Lower Division Student Media Practicum II (C-ID JOUR 131)

  • Writing for Electronic Media (Champagne, 2017) (CC BY-NC-SA)

    Brian Champagne wrote a casual but incredibly informative layout for journalists yearning to tackle reporting, interviewing and multimedia in the digital world. He writes that this book does not teach the who, what, when, where, why, and how of reporting; its goal is to teach how to present the journalism already known via electronic media, primarily television. Further he declares, “A reporter who understands her medium knows she must write words to fit her video. In this book it is Rule #1: Write to Video. Write that on your hand, the wall, and your computer monitor. Needlepoint it onto fabric, etch it in metal, and carve it in wood.” It is a perfect addition to any aspiring newsroom.

  • Web Literacy for Student Fact Checkers (Caufield, 2021) – Pressbooks (CC BY-NC-SA)

    In this book Caulfield outlines how to fact check a variety of mediums, including Twitter identities, images, and much more. He offers short and informative chapters that help to guide students to primary sources and in depth research.

Module Sample Breakdown for C-ID JOUR 131:

Introduction to Public Relations (C-ID JOUR 150)

Module Sample Breakdown for C-ID JOUR 150:

Introduction to Photojournalism (C-ID JOUR 160)

  • Writing for Electronic Media (Champagne, 2017) (CC BY-NC-SA)

    Brian Champagne wrote a casual but incredibly informative layout for journalists yearning to tackle reporting, interviewing and multimedia in the digital world. He writes that this book does not teach the who, what, when, where, why, and how of reporting; its goal is to teach how to present the journalism already known via electronic media, primarily television. Further he declares, “A reporter who understands her medium knows she must write words to fit her video. In this book it is Rule #1: Write to Video. Write that on your hand, the wall, and your computer monitor. Needlepoint it onto fabric, etch it in metal, and carve it in wood.” It is a perfect addition to any aspiring newsroom.

  • Writing for Strategic Communications (Ohio State University) in Pressbooks (CC BY-NC-SA)

    This book is authored by Ohio State University lecturer, Jasmine Roberts, who has drafted an incredibly informative and detailed breakdown of the public relations origin, role in society and trends.

  • Media, Society, Culture and You (Poepsel, 2018) (CC BY)

    Media, Society, Culture and You grew out of an experiment in developing and employing open educational resources (OER) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Professors from various disciplines were encouraged to find or develop texts to replace or supplement course materials. Because the field of mass communication changes so rapidly, the author of this text decided to “go all in” on OER materials and develop, write, and edit the first version of this electronic textbook with plans to update it at least once per year. Chapters are kept relatively short, but links lead down various intellectual paths for curious readers to follow.

Module Sample Breakdown for C-ID JOUR 160:

Introduction to Visual Communications (C-ID JOUR 170)

Module Sample Breakdown for C-ID JOUR 170:

Intermediate Reporting/News Writing (C-ID JOUR 210)

Module Sample Breakdown for C-ID JOUR 210:


Using an OER resource that is missing from the list above? If so, please let us know.

This page was last updated on October 11, 2024.