Extended Education

Media Literacy, Critical Thinking and Investigative Journalism

Learn how to assess the validity of news and social media reports, spot fake news, and do your own online research using investigative journalism techniques. Consider cognitive biases, public records, and how best to use search engines and other online tools to get the information you need to make informed decisions. Develop critical thinking and research skills to find background information on people, companies and organizations with the only online program of its kind in Manitoba. 

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    Credential

    • Letter of Accomplishment Digital Badge

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    Program length

    • 6 weeks

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    Program features

    • For Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international learners
    • Part-time, online from anywhere

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    Program fees

    • Total cost: $900.45 plus $100 non-refundable application fee
    • Each course: $300.15
    Pricing subject to change without notice

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    Be well-informed

    This program is for everyone who wants to put media messages in perspective and have the tools to dig beneath the surface for important information to ensure they are well-informed when making personal and business decisions. It was designed for consumers, researchers, students, activists, politicians, teachers, HR recruiters, businesspeople, and more.

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    Assess and research

    Improve your ability to draw logical conclusions from media messaging. Understand cognitive bias and how it leads to the spread of misinformation. Learn to identify and locate public records, file Access to Information requests, and gain enhanced knowledge of how to use social media, search engines, databases and other online tools to help you make informed decisions on topics like how to assess politicians, who to do business with, what to believe on social media, and more.

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    Content provider and instructor

    Content provider and instructor Cecil Rosner is a journalist, writer and adjunct professor who teaches investigative journalism. Cecil worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for more than 30 years. He managed CBC Manitoba's newsroom,  and also served as executive producer of The Fifth Estate. He is the author of Behind the Headlines: A History of Investigative Journalism in Canada, and is currently vice-president of the Canadian Association of Journalists.

Explore your career options with Media Literacy

Whether you're just starting out, shifting direction, or building on your existing experience, the program is designed to strengthen your capabilities and support professional growth. It equips you with practical, in-demand skills that can open doors to new opportunities, expand your impact within your organization or industry, or prepare you for increased responsibilities or leadership roles.

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Program details

This program is for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international learners.

International learners complete all courses online from anywhere via online learning. Please note:

  • Immigration - This program does not allow for application for a Canadian study visa or post-graduate work permit.  For programs that qualify for a study visa, see intensive program packages.
  • Health coverage - This program is not covered under the Manitoba International Student Health Plan (MISHP). If you are completing this program while residing in Canada, you need to ensure you have private health insurance or are covered under Manitoba Health (if you hold a work permit or are a dependent of an individual holding a work permit/permanent resident status in Canada). 
    MISHP student health plan

Credential: Letter of Accomplishment Digital Badge in Media Literacy, Critical Thinking and Investigative Journalism

A digital badge will be issued to confirm your completion of the program and to validate your learning in a digital format.

Fees: $900.45 plus $100 non-refundable application fee.
Pricing subject to change without notice.

Expected duration: 6 weeks

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Program courses

Determine the courses you will need to complete this program.

Required courses

Course number/outlineCourse nameContact hoursTerm(s) offered
EEAS 0150Media Literacy and Critical Thinking12Summer 2025
EEAS 0152Understanding Public Records12Summer 2025
EEAS 0154Advanced Investigative Journalism Techniques12Summer 2025

Synchronous and asynchronous sessions

Each course will include two synchronous sessions.

Synchronous sessions dates Summer 2025

All sessions will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm CST on Monday except for one Tuesday (May 20) in lieu of Victoria Day.

Lecture DatesCourse number
May 5, May 12EEAS 0150
May 20,  May 26EEAS 0152
June 2, June 9EEAS 0154

How to register

Register for all three courses.

Learn more about the program

  • Brook Jones
    Media Literacy, Critical Thinking and Investigative Journalism, Grad

  • Cecil Rosner
    Media Literacy, Critical Thinking and Investigative Journalism, Instructor

  • Media Literacy, Critical Thinking and Investigative Journalism
    Program feature

Misinformation and disinformation have been around forever. But with social media, the speed of spread has accelerated astronomically… It is so important to have the knowledge and the tools to spot things that are not true… These are some of the things I’ve been teaching to journalists, mostly inside the CBC, for the last 30 years. The reality is that anyone can use these techniques. They just need to know where to look and how to do it.
- Cecil Rosner , Media Literacy content provider and instructor

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Contact us

Extended Education
185 Extended Education Complex
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

eeprograms@umanitoba.ca
204-474-8800
Toll free: 1-888-216-7011