Program: Certificate in Practical Adult Knowledge and Competence (CPAK)

Credits: 3

Delivery Mode: Hybrid / Online / In-person

Duration: 12 weeks (or 8-week accelerated format)

Prerequisites: None

Instructor Qualifications:

Master’s degree or higher in communication, media studies, education, or digital humanities; demonstrated experience teaching communication or media literacy to adult learners.

I. Course Description

In an age when every adult is both a communicator and a consumer of media, this course equips learners to think critically, speak clearly, and act ethically in an environment saturated with information. It develops three integrated literacies—communication literacy (clarity, empathy, and purpose), media literacy (critical interpretation of messages and sources), and digital literacy (competence in navigating and securing digital systems).

Students will learn to analyze how meaning is created, distorted, and amplified across various media platforms; to communicate effectively across digital and interpersonal settings; and to exercise ethical responsibility as communicators and citizens.

II. Rationale

The modern adult navigates constant communication—emails, news feeds, texts, and social media—without having been taught how to evaluate, interpret, and ethically manage this flow of information.

Traditional education emphasizes reading and writing, but not listening, framing, fact-checking, or digital discernment.

This course closes that gap by providing adults with the conceptual understanding and practical skills required to operate effectively in the attention economy, counter misinformation, and communicate meaningfully in both personal and professional contexts. It emphasizes not only what to say but how to listen, what to share, and when to remain silent.

III. Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

Communicate with clarity, empathy, and purpose across multiple contexts. Analyze media content for framing, bias, persuasion, and emotional manipulation. Evaluate sources for credibility, reliability, and agenda. Understand how digital systems (algorithms, feeds, platforms) shape perception and discourse. Demonstrate responsible digital citizenship through ethical content creation and privacy awareness. Practice sustained attention, reflection, and respectful dialogue in digital communication. Integrate communication, media, and digital literacies into a coherent lifelong skill set.

IV. Course Structure

The course is divided into six thematic units, each lasting approximately two weeks.

Unit 1: The Nature and Purpose of Communication (Weeks 1–2)

Focus: Understanding communication as the negotiation of meaning rather than the transfer of data.

Students learn key principles of clarity, listening, emotional tone, and contextual awareness.

Key Topics:

The communication process and models Barriers to understanding Active listening and empathy Emotional intelligence in dialogue Feedback loops and trust-building

Activities:

Diagnostic communication self-assessment Pair listening exercise with peer feedback Discussion forum: “When has misunderstanding shaped my life?”

Deliverables: Reflection Journal #1; Short Essay: “Why Clarity Matters.”

Unit 2: Media Literacy and the Power of Framing (Weeks 3–4)

Focus: Seeing through media bias, agenda-setting, and persuasive framing.

Students learn to decode messages across print, visual, and digital formats.

Key Topics:

How media construct reality Economics of attention and emotional manipulation Propaganda techniques and emotional appeals Visual rhetoric and image persuasion Evaluating news sources and fact-checking

Activities:

Analyze news coverage of a single event from three outlets “Spot the Frame” exercise on viral headlines Workshop: decoding visuals in advertisements

Deliverables: Media Analysis Report; Reflection Journal #2.

Unit 3: The Digital Environment and Algorithmic Mediation (Weeks 5–6)

Focus: Understanding how technology curates reality and influences thought.

Students explore the structure of digital systems, filter bubbles, and the ethics of online interaction.

Key Topics:

Algorithms and the personalization of information Data privacy, cookies, and metadata Digital identity and professional reputation Echo chambers, confirmation bias, and filter bubbles Digital hygiene and online attention management

Activities:

Experiment: comparing search engine results on the same query Audit personal digital footprint Group discussion: “What my data says about me.”

Deliverables: Digital Footprint Audit Report; Reflection Journal #3.

Unit 4: Communication in Digital Contexts (Weeks 7–8)

Focus: Adapting interpersonal communication to the digital sphere.

Students practice clarity, professionalism, and empathy in email, messaging, and social platforms.

Key Topics:

Tone and context in online writing Netiquette and digital civility Miscommunication in text-based environments Managing conflict and ambiguity in online teams The ethics of sharing and privacy boundaries

Activities:

Rewrite examples of poor professional emails Peer critique of online post tone and clarity Case study: social media misunderstanding

Deliverables: Professional Communication Exercise; Reflection Journal #4.

Unit 5: Media, Influence, and Ethical Responsibility (Weeks 9–10)

Focus: Applying critical literacy to the moral dimension of influence.

Students explore ethics in advertising, politics, and digital activism.

Key Topics:

Influence, persuasion, and manipulation Truth and trust in digital discourse The ethics of sharing: responsibility for amplification Freedom of speech vs. duty of accuracy Communication ethics as civic responsibility

Activities:

Ethical debate: “Should platforms censor misinformation?” Case study: a viral campaign and its consequences Workshop: writing an ethical social media post

Deliverables: Short Argument Paper on media ethics; Reflection Journal #5.

Unit 6: Integration and Capstone: Designing Your Media Code (Weeks 11–12)

Focus: Synthesizing all literacies into a personal communication philosophy and action plan.

Key Topics:

Integration of communication, media, and digital ethics Designing a personal media code of conduct Responsible content creation and community engagement Reflection on lifelong learning in communication and technology

Activities:

Capstone Workshop: drafting a personal communication code Peer review and discussion Final presentations

Deliverables: Final Capstone Project – Personal Media and Communication Code Portfolio

V. Teaching and Learning Methods

The course uses andragogical (adult learning) principles emphasizing autonomy, application, and reflection.

Instructional Methods:

Mini-lectures with real-world examples Case studies from news and workplace communication Problem-based group activities Guided discussions and Socratic questioning Reflective journaling and peer review

Digital Tools:

Online discussion boards and collaboration platforms Media annotation tools (e.g., analyzing video or article excerpts) Fact-checking and source evaluation websites Secure LMS submission for privacy and data ethics discussions

VI. Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment Type

Weight

Description

Reflection Journals (5 total)

15%

Personal application and awareness of course principles

Quizzes and Worksheets

15%

Assess understanding of key concepts and terms

Media Analysis Report

15%

Evaluate framing, bias, and persuasive strategy in chosen media

Digital Footprint Audit

15%

Analyze personal online presence and propose ethical reforms

Ethical Argument Paper

15%

Reasoned analysis of a contemporary communication dilemma

Capstone Project: Personal Media Code Portfolio

25%

Comprehensive demonstration of communication, media, and digital literacy

Capstone Portfolio Components:

Personal Communication Code Digital Privacy Plan Ethical Reflection Essay Annotated Case Study of Media Analysis

VII. Learning Materials

Primary Text:

Communication, Media, and Digital Literacy for Adults: Navigating Meaning in the Information Age (Torah University Press).

Supplementary Readings:

Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death Sherry Turkle, Reclaiming Conversation Nicholas Carr, The Shallows Renee Hobbs, Mind Over Media Howard Rheingold, Net Smart Selected open-access readings, journalistic articles, and policy documents on media ethics and digital citizenship.

VIII. Accessibility and Support

All materials available in digital and print-accessible formats. Captioned lectures and transcripts provided for online learners. Optional tutoring in writing, media analysis, and digital skills. Peer mentoring encouraged through discussion groups.

IX. Evaluation of Course Effectiveness

Pre- and post-assessments of communication and media literacy confidence. Instructor evaluations of critical reasoning growth. Feedback surveys measuring practical applicability of skills. Advisory board review to ensure relevance to evolving media and technology trends.

X. Implementation Timeline

Pilot Launch: Fall 2026 (Hybrid cohort). Review and Revision: Spring 2027 based on feedback. Full Integration: Summer 2027 into CPAK core.

This course aligns directly with:

Critical Thinking and Logic for Adults (PAK 104) – reasoning and evidence analysis Civic and Legal Literacy (PAK 102) – responsible citizenship Financial and Economic Literacy (PAK 103) – evaluating economic information Together, these form the Information Competence Cluster of the CPAK certificate.

XI. Sample Assignments

Listening Reflection: Record and analyze a real-life conversation for evidence of misunderstanding and emotional tone. Media Bias Comparison: Evaluate three news stories on the same event for framing differences. Algorithm Audit: Document and reflect on how personalized recommendations affect your digital worldview. Professional Email Redesign: Rewrite poor digital communication to model clarity and civility. Ethics Case Study: Evaluate an influencer campaign or viral post using ethical reasoning frameworks. Capstone Portfolio: Present a unified personal strategy for ethical, effective communication and digital engagement.

XII. Grading Scale

Percentage

Grade

Descriptor

90–100%

A

Exceptional understanding and creative application

80–89%

B

Strong mastery with minor weaknesses

70–79%

C

Satisfactory comprehension and application

60–69%

D

Limited understanding, incomplete synthesis

<60%

F

Insufficient performance or missing major deliverables

XIII. Institutional and Civic Impact

This course strengthens adults’ ability to participate meaningfully in society’s digital, cultural, and civic life. It develops ethical communicators who:

Listen and reason rather than react. Recognize bias, distortion, and manipulation. Protect privacy, truth, and empathy in digital discourse. Model civil, intelligent engagement in workplaces, communities, and online platforms.

By teaching the often-overlooked disciplines of meaning-making, discernment, and ethical communication, this course embodies the CPAK mission: to prepare adults not only to succeed, but to understand.