Syllabus

Newspaper Journalism I and II and III

Barry Rich

Room G-110

Block 4

2012-2013

Course description and units of study: Newspaper-journalism is a two-semester elective course that exposes student writers to aspects of producing newspaper media, and thereby transforms students into journalists. Student-journalists in turn accurately construct, edit, and produce The Spartan Shield student newspaper. Therefore, student-journalists must know and practice sound journalism ethics, attend school-related events, brainstorm, research, analyze data, conduct interviews, shoot photos, sell and construct advertisements, act as school-liaisons, write news articles and opinion/editorials, data-enter text, manipulate and render graphic images, layout news copy, conduct polls, critically review other newsprint media, and collaboratively and effectively work with peers. Student-journalists inherently become better readers, writers, speakers, listeners, viewers, studiers, researchers, spellers, technology-users, and critical thinkers—in order that students may gain marketable skills as writers, journalists, photographers, editors, and publishers.

Course objectives: Students will accurately produce eight aesthetic issues of The Spartan Shield. Students will collect and construct enough advertisements to cover the newspaper’s publishing costs. Students will meet deadline requirements. Students will master Adobe InDesign CS-5 software. Students will properly care for the digital camera and voice recorder. Students will maintain The Spartan Shield Webpage. Students will share their journalism work with other school departments and outside agencies that request it (meaning TSS journalists are not afforded copyright protection). Students will acquire marketable, real-world journalism skills. Students will understand and always demonstrate ethical reporting.

Evaluation (grade determinants): Students’ grades are based upon students’ involvement in accurately and adequately meeting the course objectives listed above. At minimum, each student must write and data-enter a monthly news article AND a monthly op/ed, have an edited hard-copy of each submitted to the appropriate editor by each assigned first-draft and final-draft deadline.  All final-drafts must be placed within their proper folders within DropBox.com and be named and placed according to preset rules. Articles, op/eds, ads, and graphics NOT meeting the monthly deadlines will not count towards a student's grade.

Journalists receive a monthly "teamwork participation" grade.

Additionally, each news article and op/ed must be submitted with an accompanying photo (as an appropriately named, separate file within our Dropbox.com folder) that also meets deadline requirements.

Additionally, each journalist must sell and construct at least THREE advertisements appearing in each issue of TSS, and each advertisement must meet deadline requirements.

Furthermore, each journalist may be expected to perform "InDesign computer-layout-duty" for each monthly issue at a time determined/agreed upon by Mr. Rich or the Chief Editors or the Layout Editors. Journalists who cannot stay after school must perform such duties over a succession of lunch-times. For practical reasons, journalists may eat their lunches within my classroom, as I currently have planning 3rd Blocks (and 3rd Lunch on B-Days).

Journalism II occurs at the same place and time as Journalism I. These students met an A-grade prerequisite for J-I, must repeat all assignments and responsibilities but must act as leaders and mentors and editors for J-I students, and thereby must engage in advanced editorial aspects as directed by Journalism Content Standards and Objectives.

The "best" journalism effort per issue will receive a Monty Pitner Journalism Award, and be so chosen by the Editors-in-Chief.

In turn, student-journalists must be a team of respectful, inquisitive, creative, trustworthy, and self-motivated students. Some students of course have specific talents and preferred duties, but all must work together to produce TSS student newspaper. Teamwork spirit and collaboration are imperative.

*Students have been dropped from Journalism I for lack of performance and for plagiarism. Some of these students have also received "academic dishonesty" punishment for the latter offense.

The evaluation of student-journalists is directed by WV's Journalism Content Standards and Objectives, and thereby NOT simply contrived by Mr. Rich.

Attendance: Journalists must faithfully attend class in order meet deadlines. It is a journalist's responsibility to electronically initiate contact with an Editor-in-Chief, and to ensure its needed corresponding reply from a EIC, when she/he misses a 4th Block. 

Homework: Plain-and-simple, because this class creates a monthly newspaper, journalists cannot treat their responsibilities like they might an English 12 essay...submitting it late and receiving deducted points. Work submitted after a deadline is useless. Journalists need meet with businesses in order to sell ads. Journalists need complete  interviews and drafts they are unable to complete during 4th Blocks. Journalists choosing to write about extracurricular activities need consider it prudent to attend afterschool events for interviews and photos. Students may be asked to perform data-entry work in a computer lab or in G-110 during some lunches or after school, or to assist the Outreach Managers during several lunches by administering questionnaires or conducting polls.