Media Communications
Course Syllabus
2006 - 2007
Class Times: M-F, period 6
Location: Video lab
Instructor: Tess Wigginton
Office: Video lab
Email: twigginton@laca.org
Phone: 344-9653 (home)
Our liberty depends on freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.
- Thomas Jefferson
In the end, journalism is an act of character.
- Bill Kovach & Tom Rosenstiel,
“The Elements of Journalism”
Media Communications is an intensive course exploring the basics of newspaper and broadcast journalism. We will produce a newspaper at least once per month. During the course, you will learn the skills of story-telling within the various forms of reporting. You will also learn to sharpen your analytical skills in learning to look critically at how different newspapers and broadcasters cover the same story. The course is practical, and will involve going out to cover events, from court cases to concert reviews. Preparing for interviews, verifying facts and developing a beat will all form part of the course. We will also examine the challenges to the profession of journalism and explore the ethical issues surrounding a range of different stories. It is expected that you will watch the news, listen to the news, or read the news every day. Each class will begin with an analysis of the day's news.
Learning is an active search for meaning, not a passive exercise in which information is downloaded into your head. To succeed, you must (1)attend class and participate, (2) complete your assignments on time, (3) contribute to class discussions, and (4) don’t let your publishing/production team down.
Course Objectives
1. To learn where to find information for news stories and how to gather that information,
2. To learn to write stories in the inverted pyramid fashion with logical, easy-to-read leads,
3. To learn to work under deadline pressure and to respect deadlines,
4. To consider legal issues involved in writing for publication or broadcast,
5. To provide opportunities for students to learn elements of media and visual literacy,
6. To develop introductory skills in television, print, and multimedia production,
7. To stimulate the students' awareness of his/her own relationship with the media, and
8. To publish a newspaper at least monthly.
Methods
There will be numerous and frequent writing exercises, both in class and outside of class. Additionally, watching various television newscasts will be an ongoing requirement throughout the course. Students will keep a journal of writing and viewing assignments, and will develop a portfolio of video and print productions.
Text and Required Supplies
We will be using the text Journalism Today by Donald Ferguson, Jim Patten and Bradley Wilson.
You must also have access to the Newark Advocate, the Columbus Dispatch, or another daily newspaper.
You will need to bring to class every day:
a three-ring binder
pockets and dividers for the binder - there will be handouts
loose-leaf paper for note-taking
a dictionary and thesaurus will be available in the classroom, but you should have your own for home use.
red pen for editing your work
Topics we will cover include:
|
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Developing story ideas The elements of “news” and deciding what is news Collecting information and effective note-taking Journalistic writing vs. literary writing Localizing the news Staff organization Interveiwing guidelines and techniques Identifying and using sources |
The Inverted Pyramid style of writing Writing leads Proper quotation and attribution Journalistic ethics and legal considerations Copyright issues Video equipment basics Video editing Audio considerations Basic camera techniques |
Grading
Your grade will be determined using these criteria:
Current Events Quizzes. . . . . . . . . .15@10 points each. . . . . . . . . . . . .=. . . . . 150
Chapter or Content Tests. . . . . . . . at least five of these. . . . . . . . . . . .=. . . . . .50 - 100 points each
Viewing Journals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5@ 20 points each. . . . . . . . . . . . . =. . . . . 100
Workbook Exercises. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Varies by assignment
Interviewing Assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .=. . . . . .100 points each
Newspaper articles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =. . . . . .100 points each
In-class exercises. . . . . . . . . . . . . .10@10 points each. . . . . . . . . . . . .=. . . . . .100
Video Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =. . . . . .100 points each
Class Participation/Work Ethic. . . . .10 points/week. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .=. . . . . .170
Your grade will be your score divided by the total number of points possible.
Grading scale is the schoolwide standard:
A 100 - 93
A- 92 - 90
B+ 89 - 87
B 86 - 83
B- 82 - 80
C+ 79 - 77
C 76 - 73
C- 72 - 70
D+ 69 - 67
D 66 - 63
D- 62 - 60
F Below 60
There are two ways your story can receive and automatic “F”:
1. If a person's name is misspelled
2. If you miss a deadline.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism involves the copying of another's work without attribution or citation and is an affront to both journalism and education. My policy on plagiarism is this: Any student proved guilty of plagiarism in the course will be failed for the entire course, not just for the piece of work in which the plagiarism occurs.
Sources & Ethical Conduct
In all reporting in this class, you are expected to identify yourself and what you are doing honestly and accurately to the people who are your sources. You MUST tell them that what you write MAY BE published or broadcast. You MUST NOT tell them that you are just a student doing course work that will not be published or broadcast.
The Society for Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics will be handed out in class. You are expected to be
familiar with the Code and use it as your creed during this class.
Deadlines
Assignments are to be handed in on time, with NO EXCEPTIONS. They are due at the beginning of class periods on the due date, unless specifically stated otherwise. If you are absent from class on the day an assignment is due, it will be accepted if submitted immediately upon your return to class. I will not ask for assignments - it is your responsibility to provide them to me. You are responsible to make up any classwork missed because of absence. Such classwork is to be made up by the end of the week of the absence.
Off-Campus Activities
The nature of new reporting is fluid. Therefore, attendance at various out-of-school events will be required at various times throughout the course. These will be announced and arranged as far ahead as possible. Every effort will be made to accommodate the needs of individual students; however, it is understood that this class, as it is an elective and for credit, takes priority over social activities.
Use of Media Equipment
Production of Channel None broadcasts require you to use expensive technical equipment that belongs to Newark Catholic High School. You will be given thorough instructions as to proper use and operation of this equipment. Use the utmost care when operating the cameras, computers, etc. You will be held responsible for any damage or loss. Video cameras MAY be available for check-out to complete individual assignments; check with me for details.
Conduct in the Classroom
You are expected to conduct yourself as a lady or a gentleman. It's that simple.
However, to clarify:
1. Be respectful of the teacher and each other. During lectures, be quiet and take notes. If you have a question, raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before speaking. There is no excuse for rudeness.
2. Come to class prepared - always. This means bring your own writing implements, paper, and your binder. Every day.
3. Stay in your seat when we are not in production - this is not your den to roam at will.
4. Absolutely no vulgar language, gestures, references, jokes, thoughts, etc.
5. No put-downs of your fellow students. Mrs. Wigginton is a nice lady and expects her students to be nice.
6. Always bring something to do if we are in production. You may be finished with your part of the paper or video before others, and disrupting their work or mine will not be tolerated.