Introduction to Journalism Syllabus

Class and Instructor Information:

Instructor: Phillip Caston

Email:

Phone: 849-2830 ext 23906

Room #: F208

Office Hours: 3:40-4 p.m.Tuesday and Thursday afternoon morning or by appointment

Text:Reaching Audiences: A Guide to Media Writing, Third Edition; The Radical Write

Required Materials:

-One 3-ring binder with dividers

-Loose-leaf paper

-Pencil and Pen (black or blue ink)

Ongoing Weekly Assignments:

Students must read or watch one major news source and be prepared to

Assessments:

-Unit Tests

-CNN Student News Friday Quizzes

-Articles (News Brief, Feature, Opinion)

-Design SpreadProject

Grade Breakdown

Unit Tests, Written Articles, Spreads60%

Quizzes30%

Daily Work and Homework10%

*The cumulative final exam is weighted 20% of the overall semester grade.

Classroom Policies:

  • Unit tests will be based on content outlined at the beginning of each unit. Tests will cover material from class activities, but will also include questions from assigned readings and class discussions. Students will be expected to build on concepts from previous units, so unit tests may also include major ideas from previous units.
  • Writing Assignments will be based on the ability to master the technical skill at hand. Assignments will be graded for completion, effort, mastery of skills, and the ability to follow directions.
  • Grading of class work will be based on effort, completion and an ability to meet deadlines.
  • Students are expected to arrive to class before the bell rings, turn in work on time and to be present every day.
  • Journalism 1 adheres to Wando’s policy on tests and assignments missed due to excused absences.
  • Journalism 1 adheres to Wando’s attendance and tardiness policies, as outlined in the Student Handbook.
  • Homework must be placed in the Homework In-Box on the desk at the front of the room before the bell rings to be counted as on time. Late work will be penalized.
  • Students will lose 10 points for every day that an assignment is late.
  • Students are expected to wear their IDs and bring their agendas to class every day. Students will not be permitted to leave the classroom or use the restroom without their agenda.

Behavior Management Plan:

Minor infractions such as excessive talking, disrupting classmates, failure to submit work, excessive tardies and/or absences, and disrespectful behavior will result in the following actions:

1. verbal warning

2. student/teacher conference

3. parent contact (phone or email)

4. detention

5. administrative referral

UNIT BREAKDOWN

  1. The Basics: Introduction to Journalism (Unit Test and News Brief Article)

a. News Values

b. News Elements

c. Reaching Audiences

  1. Interviewing and Storytelling (Unit Test and Feature Article)
  2. What Makes a Good Story
  3. Reporting, Interviewing, and Organizing Information Effectively
  4. Quote Attribution and Writing Transitions
  5. Qualities of a Compelling Feature Story
  6. Opinion Writing(Unit Test and Opinion Article)
  7. Defining Voice and Style
  8. Objective vs. Subjective Word Choice
  9. Writing an Effective Editorial, Column or Review
  10. Media Ethics(Unit Test)
  11. Bias in the Media
  12. Ethics/Responsibility Gone Awry---watch Shattered Glass
  13. Using Appropriate Sources
  14. Understanding the First Amendment

5.Producing a Spread (Design Project)

  1. Layout and Design
  2. Conducting Interviews
  3. Writing an in-depth story
  4. Photography content

Course Objectives:

  1. To teach students skills necessary in communicating in the print and broadcast media today with emphasis on writing, but including interviewing, observing, reporting, reacting and synthesizing.
  2. To help students become intelligent consumers of the mass media.
  3. To give students the opportunity to discover and explore the various forms of writing utilized in journalism.
  4. To provide students with opportunities to critique his/her own writing, the writing of others and to have writing evaluated by a teacher.
  5. To help students understand and accept the legal, moral and ethical responsibilities inherent in the free press.
  6. To help students learn copy rules and tools necessary for preparation of copy for newspapers, yearbooks and magazines.
  7. To teach students the necessity of research to add validity, emphasis and depth to writing.
  8. To help students develop responsibility for punctuality in meeting deadlines.
  9. To teach students the practical aspects of producing a school newspaper, yearbook or magazine, including financial and advertising problems.
  10. To help students develop the verbal, written, personal and social skills needed to publish a school newspaper, yearbook broadcast, or magazine.
  11. To teach students how to present their writing in an attractive, inviting manner, including headlines, graphics and photography.
  12. To give students an outlet for creativity not found in other classrooms.
  13. To awake in students an awareness of the world, both social and political.
  14. To stimulate an interest in journalism as a career.

Your signature below signifies your understanding of and willingness to comply with this course syllabus and classroom management document as well as your permission for your student to read the materials listed.

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