Journalism 1*
/ Title of Course / Journalism 1Term / Semester 1 or Semester 2
Instructor / Mrs. Julie Barnett
Make up/Review Time / Study Hall with pass from Mrs. Barnett
Classroom Location / Room 214
Class Website
Grades /
http://highlands.k12.fl.us/~barnettj
http://highlands.k12.fl.us/~shs
Course Description
Journalism I is a semester (two nine weeks) class dedicated to covering the fundamentals of print and broadcast journalism, including photojournalism, advertising and public relations. Students will learn to think like a journalist by gathering the news, writing quality news stories, and producing informative pieces to air throughout the school. Students will spend a great deal of time examining and utilizing the journalistic writing style.
This class is a prerequisite for the Blue Print (school newspaper) and WSHS (broadcasts) classes.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, students in Journalism I should be able to do the following:
*subject to change Barnett 3
Journalism 1*
Ø Define and identify media terms
Ø Write and edit news stories using journalistic style
Ø Interviewing/Factual researching
Ø Interpersonal communication
Ø News writing
Ø Features writing
Ø Legal/Ethical media issues
Ø Editorial writing
Ø Persuasive techniques
Ø Sports writing
Ø Layout and graphic design
Ø Adobe software (InDesign CS, Photoshop CS)
Ø Photography principles and/or practice
Ø Associated Press Style
Ø Headline/caption writing
Ø Knowledge of current events
Ø Advertising theory and practice
Ø Community Outreach
Ø Identify the characteristics of news stories
*subject to change Barnett 3
Journalism 1*
Textbook
Journalism Matters (in class use only—unless given permission by instructor)
We will regularly read News Sun-Sebring and Tampa Tribune-Highlands and other newspapers and media sources.
Materials*
1 3-ring binder with pockets (at least 1 inch rings)** Loose-leaf notebook paper
Blue/Black ink pens #2 Pencils
*If you have trouble obtaining any of the supplies listed, please let me know and I will do my best to assist you.
** This binder NEEDS to be a binder. I use graphic organizers and you cannot keep those easily in a spiral notebook or pocket folder.
Computer Access
Every student is provided a log-in to the school computers with access to save information to an assigned “P” drive. Students are assigned a school email that will allow them to submit work to the Google Classroom. The student has access to the Google drive at home to work on assignments outside of class. Students who do not have access to a computer or internet at home, must ask for a pass during study hall for a computer lab or media center. Media center is open before/after school and at lunches.
Grading/Mastery of Skill
Bell Ringer: Each day, when you come in to class, there will be a bell ringer on the board. This bell ringer will be an AP style (journalistic style) rule that you will need to copy into the bell ringers section of your notebook. Every three weeks, you will have a quiz on these AP style rules. You will be able to use your bell ringers. You are responsible for collecting these style rules EVEN IF YOU ARE ABSENT. (Please note that the Bell Ringer Quiz could cover ANY style rule previously covered—keep them all).Class Work: Students will have daily assignments that will be completed and turned in by the end of class.
Current Events: On Fridays, students will be required to submit a current event. The main purpose is to find a story that could be covered on WSHS or in the Blue Print so it should be a topic that can be related to SHS students. Students should explain why the story is important to SHS students.
Quizzes: Quizzes can occur at any time and will be based off the notes given in class.
Projects: Students will complete a variety of projects throughout the course of the year. While some work does occur in groups, no group grades are given. Personal assessments will be given for each student.
Papers: Throughout the semester, students will be asked to submit several papers involving critical thinking. Paper due dates will be announced at least three (3) days in advance, and they will be distinguished from regular writing assignments/class work by submitting to TurnItIn.com.
News Critiques: Students will complete several news critiques throughout the course of the semester where they will be asked to evaluate the SHS News segments, which air 2nd period every day, or the SHS Blue Print News or a professional publication.
Tests: Tests will be given at the end of the chapter/units. Tests will be comprised of matching, multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay questions. All questions will come from notes and class discussion. Tests will be announced a week in advance and there will be a review before the test where a study guide will be given.
Make-up Work – “While You Were Out”
It is the responsibility of the students to gather information about missed assignments/notes due to an absence. All notes from class and assignments will be posted on my Journalism 1 website by the end of each school day so that you can obtain missed information. This information can also be found in the daily folder at the side wall of the classroom under the “While You Were Out” sign. There is a calendar with the lesson for the day, and a folder with all worksheets covered on that day. You will have two (2) days per missed day to make up the work. This is a newsroom…we must stay current!
Tests and Test Make-up
Tests will be announced at least one (1) week prior to their administration. This announcement will be made verbally as well as placed on the board. If a student is absent on the day of a test, he/she will need to see me immediately upon return to school to arrange a make-up time.
Late Work/Extra Credit
No late work is accepted, assignment is due when the teacher asks for the assignment. I do not offer extra credit as the students are working on master of skills.
Class Procedures
The student will be expected to complete all assignments during class hours. Project work will be done in class and, if needed, after school in the supervision of an instructor.
Tardiness is defined as being off task when the tardy bell rings. I WILL mark you tardy if you are not in your seat and working quietly. Be prepared when you enter the classroom. You are also expected to remain seated until you are dismissed at the end of the period. DO NOT LINE UP AT THE DOOR!!
Classroom Expectations and Rules
Leave the food out of my room!!
Don’t touch things that do not pertain to you (ex. books, computers, cameras, etc.)
Respect the instructor, fellow students and their work—treat others as you would wish to be treated.
Bring all materials to class.
Arrive on time and be prepared to participate in class activities. Participation is expected and REQUIRED to pass.
Be seated and ready to work when the bell rings.
My room is not a playground. There is equipment in here, and you will be held accountable for damages. No horseplay!!
No completing assignments is a behavior issue is a rules violation.
Follow all school rules, policies, and procedures
If a student chooses not to follow the classroom expectations, the following will occur:
1st violation: warning and student/teacher conference
2nd violation: student “study hall” detention and signed by student.
3rd violation: 30 minute teacher detention after school or student “study hall” detention and signed by student with a parent conference.
4th violation: office referral
Parental Involvement.
One of the most prevalent attributes of successful students is the involvement and encouragement of the students’ families. Please feel free to contact me with any specific questions or concerns and I will be happy to address them with you.
If your parent or guardian would like to request a conference, I can be reached by email at .
______
Print Student Name Student Id Number
______
Class Period
I have read and understand all of the information covered in the syllabus regarding Journalism I for the school year. I also understand that we will be working with expensive equipment, and I will be held financially accountable for any intentional damage I do to any equipment pertaining to Journalism 1 classes.
______
Student Signature Date
______
Parent Signature Date
Parents:
Throughout the course of the year, we will watch several films dealing with concepts being discussed in class. Those movies are as follows:
q All the President’s Men (1976) Rated PG—Enactment of the work of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein who uncovered the dirty tricks campaign and the cover-up of the White House’s involvement in the Watergate break in. Students will watch this film following our discussion of the History of Journalism prior to the introduction of news writing. Using history and the resignation of President Nixon, students will discuss the power of the print media and its treatment of public officials during and since the Nixon administration.
q Shattered Glass (2003) Rated PG-13—Stephen Glass presents a side of journalism our students don’t often consider: What happens when you don’t play by the rules? This true story follows his fall from grace as an editor of “The New Republic” magazine. We will watch this film immediately following our discussion of ethics and the First Amendment.
q State of Play (2008) Rated PG— A nod to old-school beat reporting. When D.C. reporter Cal McCaffrey is assigned to investigate the murder of an assistant to an up-and-coming politician, he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to bring down the nation’s power structures. In a town of spin-doctors and wealthy power brokers, he will discover one truth: when fortunes are at stake, no one’s integrity, love or life is safe. Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren and Rachel McAdams.
q Live from Baghdad (2002) Not Rated—During the first Gulf War, CNN was the only U.S.-based television news network to have journalists reporting from Kuwait and Iraq every day. This film tells how the only embedded journalists reporting from Baghdad battled to be there when U.S. forces began dropping bombs.
q The Truman Show (1998) Rated PG—All eyes are on Burbank—Truman Burbank, that is. And you’ll want to join the masses in taking a fresh new look at this marvel of a movie. Truman is about to discover just how abnormal his seemingly “normal” life is. What he doesn’t realize – just yet – is that his whole life is a reality TV show, televised and broadcast for the world to see! We will watch this film at the end of the year and students will take a critical look at media, filmmaking and production.
More information about these films can be obtained via www.imdb.com. Please sign below to indicate that you approve for your child to view the above movies. If there are any films that you DO NOT APPROVE of, please check the box next to it. If students are unable to view a film for any reason, an alternative assignment will be offered. The alternative assignment will be similar to the class work being given in correlation with the film.
______
Parent Signature Date
*subject to change Barnett 3