Introduction to Journalism
Alliance Piera Barbaglia Shaheen Health Services Academy
Mrs. Maya Suzuki Daniels
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213-375-5946/Room #205
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30-5:00 pm, & by appointment
Course Overview
Students will be able to explore various concepts of journalism that include exploring the validity and interpretation of various authors non-fictional text, decoding and dissecting informational text, and reporting specific events as they pertain to real life scenarios. Students will enhance their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills utilizing theIndiana high school journalism standards as the foundation for learning. Students will complete the course with a strong understanding of what journalism entails and the skills necessary to participate in the field.
Course Objectives & Goals:
This course is designed to help students understand media literacy, become a practicing journalist, and apply for career options in Journalism in college and beyond. Designed in alignment to The American Press Institute’s Introductory News LiteracyCurriculum and adapted from High Five: Media Literacy, this course is designed for students to develop four media process skills:
Access: Locate, identify and comprehend information as needed.
Analyze: Interpret and understand the components that make up a media message.
Evaluate: Make judgments about the truth, accuracy of media messages.
Create: Use appropriate technologies to create and disseminate media messages.
Semester 1 Units
Students in the Journalism class will begin this course by learning basic tenets of good journalism that are rooted in academic theory and discipline. Students will both apply these tenets and theories to both media in the larger world and use their knowledge to create their own forms of media. Each project or assignment will focus on specific facets of media and will require students to use background knowledge and critical thinking skills to analyze, deconstruct, and dialogue.
Our second unit will be based wholly in writing. Students will begin with hard news, then move to features, sports/food/special interest articles, political cartoons, and opinion pieces. They will see writing as a process and learn to be mindful of deadlines. During these writing assignments, students will work collaboratively on brainstorming, revising, editing, and providing feedback. Students will become comfort.
We will conclude the semester with the creation of a website that showcases each student’s best work. The website will be shared with the school community as well as the larger community. Students will end the semester feeling accomplished and proud of their hard work, as well as more critical of the media that surrounds them. They will also have an opportunity to join Newspaper, which will meet Tuesday/Thursday after school (Tuesday for writers, Thursday for editors).
Final Project due: 12/9/2016 @ 3:30 pm
Final Exam date: 12/12-12/13/2016 (multiple choices and short response exam)
Semester 2 Units
Students will re-enter the Journalism class with knowledge of fundamental Journalism tenets and methods from Semester 1, and immediately put these to use in a photojournalism project that showcases their own life. We will use the film Born Into Brothels as a model for exploring how photography can capture elements both mundane and profound. Furthermore, this unit highlights alternative forms of journalism beyond the reading and writing that students completed in Semester 1.
Our second unit builds on the idea of photography by broadening the ideas of Born Into Brothels to explore the concept of witness. Students will read Persepolis, a graphic novel set during the Iran Revolution, to examine how young people can process and document tremendous changes within their own communities. This unit will further address the idea of citizen journalism, wherein every individual within a society has the power and responsibility to become the press.
As a bridge between this unit and the last unit of the semester, students will learn about trauma in both a personal and professional context. Students will explore the biological and psychological impact of trauma, and be exposed to ways to mitigate and heal from trauma. Following this “mini unit,” students will begin to explore and document their own communities in a conscious and deliberate way; focusing on specific issues and problems they see in their own cities. We will use the book And Still We Rise, by Miles Corwin, as a guide during this unit, but students will be largely responsible for finding, collecting, and sharing information to guide discussions and proposals for solutions. Students will conclude the unit and the semester with a project proposal that seeks to correct, mitigate, or solve an issue that affects their community.
Final Project due: 6/5-6/8/2016 (in class presentations)
Final Exam date: 6/1-6/2/2016 (multiple choices and short response exam)
Required Texts
Texts will be provided. Students will read and study an assortment of newspapers and informational texts from:
· The New York Times
· The Los Angeles Times
· USA Today
· Time Magazine
· Reader’s Digest Magazine
· NPR.org
· Short Documentaries
***Having your iPad charged and functional in class every day is vital for participation in activities. We will read newspapers EVERY DAY. Please make sure you are ON TIME to receive your iPad within the first 10 minutes of the school day and that you plug it in every night.
Required Supplies:
· Composition Notebook
· Blue, Black and Red Pens
· Highlighter
· Pocket Folder/Binder for papers and notes
Grading Scale
A (Advanced) / 4 / 84-100%B (Proficient) / 3 / 67-83.9%
C (Basic) / 2 / 50-66.9%
NP (Not Proficient) / 1 / Below 50%
· Final Exam: 33.5%
· Final Project: 33.5%
· Unit Assessments (1 exam, 3 writing assignments; due at the end of each quarter): 16.5%
· Unit Work (daily; as assigned): 16.5%
Class Expectations
Homework / -Homework will be expected when you have a deadline to meet.Late Work / -Late homework will be subject to reduced/half credit.
Attendance & Tardies / -Being present and on time is essential so we do not lose any learning time. You must be in class on time. Tardy students report to the office.
-If for any reason, you do need to miss class, you must call, text, or email Ms. Daniels within 24 hours of your absence. This is practice towards college and a successful career.
-If you are absent, you are responsible for finding out what you missed and making up any work in a timely manner. E-mail or afterschool contact is preferred.
Redos and Retakes / -You may redo any classwork or homework for which you received a grade that you find unsatisfactory. You may turn this in up to each quarterly grade cutoff.
-You may only retake exams for which you receive a 1 or a 2 with prior approval and a specific appointment to retake the exam. Tutoring before the exam is strongly encouraged.
-For any redos or retakes, the grade received for the redo or retake will replace the original grade, regardless of which one is higher.
Academic Integrity / -Cheating, plagiarizing, copying, turning in someone else’s work, and receiving improper assistance on assignments are all examples of academic dishonesty
-Zero tolerance policy on academic dishonesty.
- If you are unsure, ask your teachers.
-Academic integrity results in NP’s on the assignment, no make-up/retake, detention, and parent contact.
-Any incident related to academic dishonesty will be considered a referral.
Electronics / -Any and all types of electronics (cell phones, iPods, iPhones, iPads, mp3 players, radios, video games, e-readers, earbuds, headphones, etc.) are NOT to be seen, heard, out, or used during class unless given permission by the teacher. If I do see any electronic, I will confiscate the electronic and turn it in to the office; you may pick it up at the end of the day. No exceptions.
-You will be using your iPad every day in class. Please make sure you have it charged and use it responsibly. If you do not have your iPad, you are responsible for sharing with others or making up the work on your own time.
Restroom & Hall Pass / -It is HSA’s policy that you go to the restroom before and after class, NOT during class. You may only use the bathroom only if it is an emergency. Please take measures to visit the restroom before class begins.
-The restroom may not be used within the first and last 15 minutes of class. The bathrooms are locked at this time. This is school policy.
Scholarly Expectations
Be Responsible: Successful people are responsible people. You will be prepared for class every day, have your materials and your work completed, and be sitting in your assigned seat before the bell rings. You will complete your work in class. You are solely responsible for your work, your learning, and your success.
Be Respectful: Successful people are respectful people. You will not talk back or say disrespectful comments. You will not complain. You will not call names. You will not use the classroom as a beauty salon or a place to gossip and write notes to friends. You will not throw things in class, leave garbage on the floor, chew gum or stick gum on anything or any person. You will keep your hands to yourself. You will encourage your classmates and not make fun of them, say rude remarks or make anyone feel uncomfortable. Bullying and/or harassment will taken extremely seriously.
Be Honest: Successful people are honest people. Honesty is always the best and most respectful approach. There will be no cheating or lying. Ask for help if you need it. If there is an issue with anything (health, work, personal life, etc.) you should communicate with me via private discussion outside before or after class. I commit to checking my e-mail throughout the day to remain aware of any student needs.
Consequences for not following the rules
If any classroom rules are broken, the following will apply:
1.Reminder & Warning
2.Seat Change & Private Conference with Teacher
3.Detention, Reflection Letter & Phone Call Home
4.Office Referral
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Acknowledgment Form
By signing this document, you are acknowledging that you have read and understood the expectations for this Journalism class.
Student Name ______Student Signature ______
Guardian Name ______Guardian Signature ______
Guardian Cell Phone # ______
Guardian email address ______
Student email address ______
Questions/comments/concerns: