Jacqueline Peters, Instructor, 906-5030, Office 1031 Prerequisite ENG 101, "Composition"

Catalog Course Description:
Students in Journalism will focus on the journalistic style of writing. These writings will emphasize the art of investigation, persuasion, and reporting within the context of news story writing. Students explore methods and techniques of news gathering, news writing, and news analysis. By covering campus and community events, students will make practical application of theory.

Learning Objectives

• To demonstrate an understanding of:	Students will:	As measured by:
  Media analysis	Acquire, read, view, interpret, and evaluate a variety news media Examine journalism as a universal mode of communicating public and individual opinions through selected readings & discussion Identify the structure & organization of the various sections of a daily publication Analyze cultural elements of a publication Evaluate the writer's objectivity through selected readings and group discussions Evaluate a variety of news publications to determine the diversity of the community that each reflects through selected readings and discussions	Utilization of journalistic vocabulary; identification of various sections of daily publications; analysis of form in written assignments; written assignments and class discussions in which the student expresses interpretation of content and journalistic elements as applied to selected readings.
  Interviewing and Listening Skills	Actively listen to, view, interpret, and respond to a professional interview as presented in class Actively listen to, interpret, and respond to an interview subject (interviewee) Apply the techniques of interview such as skillful paraphrasing, questioning, and summarizing Design and practice interview strategies in a small group Interview and summarize information to prepare an article for publication	Oral/written peer critique; revision of interview questions following instructor and peer critique; discussion
  Effective Writing	Connect all facets of language, utilizing universal communication modes effectively Apply knowledge of the writing process to journalistic writing using a variety of appropriate models and formats. Identify and utilize specific journalism vocabulary Utilize word processing and technology to draft and revise journalistic articles Explore a variety of page layout techniques such as headlines, copy, art, captions, photos Write a variety of news articles for various sections of a newspaper and publish for a specific audience Discuss drafts of news/feature writing in order to improve its effectiveness	Discussion design; written interview questions and practice of interview; summary of information for publication; improvement of writing according to critique
  Research	Use library, internet, database, and other sources Evaluate sources for credibility Distinguish between primary and secondary sources to determine accuracy and validity Compile and evaluate information from primary and secondary sources to write an objective news article	Evidence of research submitted to the instructor; selective use of research in writing; balance of sources in original written stories/articles; presence of validity of information, distinction between primary and secondary sources for accuracy in student writing; creating a database and selecting appropriate data
  Professionalism	Accept personal and public accountability for viewpoints expressed in journalistic writing Recognize the role of the journalist in determining viewpoint Employ discretion regarding standards of ethics, privacy, plagiarism; & observe legalities of accessing data Take responsibility for knowing, completing, and (when necessary) making up assignments	Discussion; written analysis of a news article; writing a balanced news story; cooperation with peers; conduct toward interview subjects; meeting deadlines
  Technology Skills	Create and use a database (media archive) by entering data, sorting, & researching within existing database(s). Utilize word processing tools to format text layout Utilize word processing features such as spell checking/ thesaurus, and footnotes Apply research techniques and technology to acquire information through online sources Utilize and care for portable media storage devices	Database research which utilizes boolean terms (as needed) and key word searches by title, subject, author, etc.; utilization of word processing, demonstration of a variety of layout techniques; publication of articles for a specific audience; creating a database and selecting appropriate data; use of in-class presentation equipment

   

Updated 07/18/2012