Academic Catalog

ALTW 218A: CURRENT EVENTS

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 2
Hours: 2 lecture per week (24 total per quarter)
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in ALTW 218.
Degree & Credit Status: Non-Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: None
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable
Formerly: ALTW 218

Student Learning Outcomes

  • The student will be able to access and discuss current affairs and conduct dialogue in order to gain different perspectives of national and global events.
  • The student will be able to demonstrate and report on different televised news media by using electronic media guides in order to find current events programming.
  • The student will be able to identify and access five types of news media sources.
  • The student will demonstrate and illustrate the pro's and con's of different news media.

Description

This course introduces neurodivergent students to media literacy, communication skills, and the historical development of journalism through engagement with current events. In the first half of the quarter, students examine how news is produced, how it has evolved over time, and how to evaluate media sources for credibility and bias. In the second half, students apply their learning by selecting current events and presenting to the class with structured analysis. The course emphasizes building foundational skills in reading, interpreting, and discussing news content with confidence. This course is part of the Tools for Transition & Work cohort-based program for neurodivergent learners pursuing independent success in college, career, and adult life.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Identify key components of a current event and explain its relevance.
  2. Differentiate between credible and non-credible media sources.
  3. Understand the historical development of journalism and its role in democratic society.
  4. Analyze a news article for content, bias, and structure.
  5. Present a current event to an audience using appropriate tone, structure, and visual support.
  6. Practice respectful, supportive engagement during peer presentations.

Course Content

  1. Identify key components of a current event and explain its relevance
    1. What makes something a current event?
    2. The "5Ws and H" of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how
    3. Local, national, and international news - what's the difference?
    4. How news connects to daily life and public awareness
  2. Differentiate between credible and non-credible media sources
    1. Introduction to source reliability
    2. Misinformation vs. disinformation
    3. How to spot junk news: red flags and tactics
    4. Comparing multiple sources for the same event
    5. Tools for verifying facts (e.g., lateral reading, fact-checking sites)
  3. Understand the historical development of journalism and its role in democratic society
    1. A brief history of journalism: newspapers, radio, and TV
    2. The watchdog role of the press in a democracy
    3. Key moments in media history (e.g., muckraking, Watergate, the rise of 24-hour news)
    4. The shift to online media and the role of algorithms and social media in shaping access
  4. Analyze a news article for content, bias, and structure
    1. Distinguishing between hard news, editorials, and opinion pieces
    2. Identifying bias in tone, word choice, and framing
    3. Reading headlines critically
    4. Recognizing the structure of a standard news article
    5. Identifying point of view and purpose in media
  5. Present a current event to an audience using appropriate tone, structure, and visual support
    1. Structuring a presentation: introduction, summary, source analysis, conclusion
    2. Tips for public speaking and managing presentation anxiety
    3. Using slides or visual aids effectively
    4. Practicing clear, confident verbal communication
    5. Peer feedback and revision
  6. Practice respectful, supportive engagement during peer presentations
    1. How to listen actively during presentations
    2. Asking thoughtful, relevant questions
    3. Offering supportive, constructive feedback
    4. Understanding group norms for academic discussion
    5. Reflecting on what you learned from classmates

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Accessible classroom, internet access.
2. When taught online/virtual: students and faculty need internet access with Zoom-capable computer, monitor, and speakers.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Class participation
Class presentations
Homework assignments
Written assignments
Oral presentations
Teamwork
Final exam or final project

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Discussion
Oral presentations
Use of the internet
Demonstration

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

No materials are required for this course.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Students read news media articles and provide report in an oral presentation to the class
  2. Writing assignments:
    1. Students write a news article which is read and evaluated by other students
    2. Students write their own story in news format that will be presented in the classroom

Discipline(s)

Developmental Disabilities: Disabled Students Programs and Services