Curriculum Map

Critical News Literacy

Understanding media in the digital age. A curriculum for navigating news, identifying misinformation, and becoming a critical consumer of information.

13 Units

Early Units (Foundation)

Building Skills

Advanced Concepts

Capstone/Synthesis

What Is News? The Information Ecosystem

Explore what journalism is, why it matters, and how the information landscape has transformed in the digital age.

2-3 weeks

The Anatomy of a News Story

Dissect how news stories are constructed and learn to read between the lines.

2-3 weeks

Journalism Ethics and Standards

Examine the ethical foundations of journalism and what happens when they break down.

2-3 weeks

Bias, Framing, and Perspective

Learn to identify bias in news coverage and understand how framing shapes our perception of events.

2-3 weeks

Misinformation, Disinformation, and Propaganda

Understand the mechanics of false information and learn to protect yourself and others.

2-3 weeks

Digital Media and Social Platforms

Examine how social platforms have transformed news distribution and what that means for democracy.

2-3 weeks

The Business of News

Follow the money to understand how economic forces shape the news you see.

2-3 weeks

Evaluating Sources and Information

Develop practical skills for evaluating information in an age of abundant content.

2-3 weeks

International Press and Press Freedom

Explore how journalism works—and doesn't—around the world.

2-3 weeks

Media Literacy in Action

Put everything together and develop lifelong media literacy habits.

2-3 weeks

The History of Truth: From God to Google

We assume truth is solid, like a rock. But history shows that truth is liquid—it takes the shape of the container it is held in. When the container changes from a scroll to a screen, the truth changes with it.

2-3 weeks

When Truth Breaks Down: Flat Earth, Vaccine Hesitancy, and the Logic of Disbelief

Part 2 of the Capstone Trilogy. Now that we understand how truth is constructed, we examine what happens when those systems break down. Why do some people believe the Earth is flat? Why did millions resist COVID-19 vaccines? The answers reveal uncomfortable truths about institutions, trust, and the limits of rational persuasion.

2-3 weeks

Rebuilding Trust: Citizenship in the Information Age

Part 3 of the Capstone Trilogy. We've learned how truth is constructed and how it breaks down. Now we ask: What can be done? This final unit synthesizes everything you've learned into a framework for responsible information citizenship. Trust can be rebuilt—but only if we understand what broke it.

2-3 weeks

Learning Progression

This course is designed to be taken sequentially. Earlier units establish foundational concepts that later units build upon. While you can explore units in any order, following the numbered sequence provides the most coherent learning experience.