EL 277: The Practice of Journalism -- Syllabus
Syllabus Outline
1. When & Where
- MWF: 11:00 - 11:50AM
- A410
2. Instructor
- Dennis G. Jerz
- St. Joseph Hall 403
- jerz@setonhiII.edu
- Phone: x1909 or 724.830.1909
Cancellation line: 724.830.1000 - Office Hours
- Tue 2–3PM
- Wed 10-11AM
- Thu 2-3PM
- Also by appointment
3. Course Description
"Study of the roles of the journalist in society, the types of journalism, the news gathering process, and journalism history." -- Seton Hill University Catalog, 2002-2004.
4. Course Objectives
This course is designed to introduce the basics of news gathering and news writing, as well as to examine and critique the role of journalist in our society. Students will explore the history, politics, and ethics of journalism as it has developed in its print, broadcast, and online forms.
You will develop your ability to write fair and balanced accounts of important issues, while at the same time cultivating a healthy skepticism of the material widely published and broadcast as "news". Students will be asked to develop and demonstrate their ability to write some of the major kinds of journalism, news writing is more properly the subject of the course; that is, we will be talking about news writing as much as we will be doing it.
As practiced and understood by journalists in the early 21st century, news writing can be seen as the highly-developed craft of non-fiction storytelling. Ideally, journalism is a public-service information-generating profession that generates and distributes timely information and expert opinion through balanced, accurate and thorough reporting.
But journalism can also be described as a personality-driven entertainment industry that stokes the public's fears and feeds its appetite for gossip and scandal, via biased, inaccurate, and shallow reporting. Journalism is a business, which means that journalists must deliver a product that generates income; news organizations are thus tied to corporate interests that influence the representation of news. Journalists face constant pressure to simplify complex information (particularly in science and medicine) so that a channel-surfing and page-scanning public feels it comprehends the issues.
The course is intended to help you achieve the following outcomes:
- demonstrate a thorough familiarity with the conventions of journalism (as presented via reputable publications, as spoofed in The Onion, and as presented in your own work)
- speak and write knowledgeably about important issues in journalism and how they interact with the culture at large
- accurately assess the credibility of a potential source (such as a web page, a press release, or an anonymous tip)
- exhibit communications skills and research methods which adhere to the standards and conventions of contemporary journalistic practice
5. Course Format
The course involves lecture, class discussion, small-group activities, peer-reviewed drafts, online journaling, and a four-hour practicum in news production.
6. Course Requirements
6.1 Attendance and Participation
Success in EL227 depends upon active discussion and class participation.
- First unexcused absence:
1 point subtracted from final grade. (-1)- Second unexcused absence:
another 2 points subtracted (total: -3).- Third unexcused absence:
another 4 points subtracted (total: -7)- Fourth unexcused absence:
another 8 points subtracted (total: -15)- Fifth unexcused absence:
another 16 points subtracted (total: -31)- Sixth unexcused absence: Failure.
Excessive unexcused late arrivals or early departures, disruptive behavior, or unpreparedness may compound in my grade book to the point where I treat them as absences. (I'll warn you once.)
If you are absent from class without an excuse approved by the dean of students, on a day when a major assignment is due, the assignment will be counted an extra day late.
Seton Hill University has made a commitment to providing every student with the resources that he or she needs in order to succeed. A formal request for special accommodation must come from the administration. In a pinch I will do my best to accommodate you when asked, but a long-term strategy to help you succeed is not something that I am trained to provide
6.2 Texts
- Brooks, Kennedy, Moen and Ranly, News Reporting and Writing 7th Ed (with CD)
- Murray, Schwartz and Lichter: It Ain't Necessarily So
- A free online subscription to The New York Times
- Occasional issues of The Tribune-Review (usually found in racks by the cafeteria)
6.3 Assignments
One oral presentation on an assigned topic; short in-class writing exercises; an online journal (reflection on course material, suggesting new material for class discussion, and commenting on current events); a reflection portfolio; a class reporting exercise (on an assigned topic); a term project (either a full-length, original news feature of 4-6 pages, or 1000-1500 words; or an academic research paper of the same length, on a topic cleared with me in advance).
6.4 Practicum
Students will be asked to volunteer a total of four hours observing and participating in the production of the Setonian (or another news organization of your choice) in some capacity other than creating the editorial content (that is, doing something other than writing the words and creating the images) usually associated with journalism. You might sell an advertisement, check a reporter's facts, proofread an issue, etc. (Those who are already Setonian staff members will be asked to volunteer for an area where they previously have little or no experience.)
7. Grading
7.1 What Gets Graded?
Oral Report (assigned topic) 10% In-class Exercises (about 1 per week) 10% Homework Exercises & Online Journal Entries
(about 2-3 per short writing activities per week)20% Terminology Quiz Journal/Practicum Portfolio (collected twice per term; you assemble and comment on your best journaling experiences and reflect upon your practicum) 10% Midterm Reporting Exercise (I will assign a general topic and the class will brainstorm their specific assignments on one day, bring a draft to the next class period (5%), and submit a final copy on the class after that (10%).) 15% Term Project (a well-researched news feature suitable for publication in a news magazine -- this would be more substantial than showing up at a lecture and writing down what the speaker said; or, an issue-driven, academic paper that makes a specific argument about some issue of the practice of journalism (how it is affected by ethics, gender, politics, technology, etc.). 4-6 pages, with an annotated portfolio of research notes (including rough drafts, printouts of web pages or e-mails consulted, interview notes, etc.) 20% Comprehensive Final Exam
(optional for students with an average of B+ or higher so far)10%
7.2 What the Grades Mean
A 93.0% to 100% A- 90.0% to 92.9% B+ 87.0% to 89.9% B 83.0% to 86.9% B- 80.0% to 82.9% C+ 77.0% to 79.9% C 73.0% to 76.9% C- 70.0% to 72.9% D+ 67.0% to 69.9% D- 60.0% to 62.9% F 59.9% to 0% 7.3 Reduction Policies
Hard drives do occasionally crash -- just like dogs do occasionally eat homework -- but computer problems are not an acceptable excuse for missing or late work. (If you can give me a printout of your most recent version and a hastily scribbled note that promises you'll get me the completed version by the end of the day, I'm much more likely to be lenient than if you show up with nothing.)
If a last-minute computer glitch prevents you from submitting work (your printer runs out of ink, you forget your floppy disk, etc.), the real problem is procrastination. Plan to finish assignments early enough so that a minor setback won't leave you empty-handed on the due date.
Papers are marked down 10% if they are not on time and submitted in the proper format (i.e. if you e-mail a file when I asked for a printout, or vice-versa), and another 10% each day if the paper is not finished and waiting for me when I arrive on campus (usually around 8:30).
If you are absent from or very late to class (without an approved excuse) on a day when a major assignment is due, the assignment will be counted an extra day late.
If you know in advance that you will be absent on the day of a major assignment, make arrangements with me well in advance (I will usually expect you to submit that assignment early)
8. University Disability Statement
If you have a disability that may require consideration by the instructor, you should contact the Coordinator of Disabled Student Services at 724-838-4295 or bassi@setonhill.edu. It is recommended that this be accomplished by the second week of class. It is not necessary to disclose to your instructor the nature of your disability. If you need accommodations for successful participation in class activities prior to your appointment at the Disabled Students Services Office, you should offer information in writing which includes suggestions for assistance in participating in and completing class assignments.
9. Course Outline
Conventions: When indicating length of assignments for this class, a "page" translates to "200-250 words". If no length is listed, then please be as efficient as possible -- journalists have no room to pad their writing!
(Jump down to the archived weeks, below.)
| Date |
Topic |
Due Today |
| 10 Nov | Midterm Reporting Exercise (class comes up with assignment on the story idea I will suggest today) | None
|
| 12 Nov | Peer Drafting workshop | Write: Midterm Reporting Exercise Draft (of assigned news story) (600-700 words) Submit: (three printed copies, with word count)
|
| 14 Nov |
|
No Class. Attend Thursday's Maraniss lecture (or do the following alternative assignment) Alternative Assignment:
|
| 17 Nov | Peer Editing workshop Writing for the Web |
Write: Midterm Reporting Exercise Revision Submit (three printed copies, one with all changes highlighted and briefly explained, with word count) |
| 19 Nov | Production workshop (I will publish all submissions in a mock online newspaper) |
Read: "Blurbs: How to Write them for Web Pages", "Titles: In-Context and Out-of-Context: Edit: Format your submission according to the template I provide Submit (on disk or via e-mail) Final Midterm Reporting Exercise Story |
| 21 Nov |
|
Mock Newspaper Feedback Discuss Portfolio II (Due 5 Dec). When you submit your portfolio on Dec 5, do the following:
|
| 24 Nov | Draft Workshop | Write: Full Draft (Term Project) Submit: Three Double-spaced Copies |
| 26 Nov | Thanksgiving Break | |
| 28 Nov | Thanksgiving Break | |
| 01 Dec | Discuss "Bias" Discuss "What Liberal Media?" |
Read: Selection from "Bias" (on electronic reserve) and related review (TBA) Journal: Respond to the reading; use current news stories Read: Selection from "What Liberal Media?" (on electronic reserve) and related review (TBA) Journal: Respond to the reading; use current news stories |
| 03 Dec | Instructor Evaluation | Submit: Final Draft (Term Project) |
| 05 Dec | Wrap-up: Discussion of course | Journal: Reflect on what you learned Submit: Journal/Practicum Portfolio |
| Finals Week | Final Exam (optional for students with a B+ average so far) |
Archived Weeks
| Date |
Topic |
Due Today |
| 15 Sep | Draft Review |
Revise: Profile/home/users/shblog/public_html/ |
| 17 Sep | Online Journals ("weblogs") Weblog Demonstration |
Meet in computer lab? Possibly...
|
| 19 Sep | Weblog Workshop Begin online journal (in class) |
[Meet in a computer lab, TBA] |
| 22 Sep | Distribute Terminology List (for quiz next week) Discussion/troubleshooting of Weblogs |
Journal: Each week, from now until Thanksgiving Break, plan to write about 300-500 words in your online journal (divided up between assigned entries, reflections on/reactions to class material or current events in the world of journalism, and comments that you add to weblogs written by your classmates) Read: Chapter 7, NRW Write: p. 161 Ex 1-4, NRW |
| 24 Sep | Basic News: The Lead In class: 161 Ex 5, 6 |
Write: p. 161 Ex 8-9, NRW(for #8, rather than clip printed papers, you can copy & paste from the Internet -- but do cite properly)
|
| 26 Sep | Video: 25 Sep local TV newscast Discuss: TV vs. Print Journalism |
Read 25 Sep "Tribune-Review" Read: Ch 19, NRW |
| 29 Sep | Discuss: TV Journalism | Read: TV News: What Local Stations Don't Want You to Know (read all 7 of the main links on the above page, and at least scan the E-mail responses. Post your own thoughts on your blog.) |
| 01 Oct | Terminology Quiz | Study for Terminology Quiz |
| 03 Oct | Discuss: Journal/Practicum Portfolio | Write: Preliminary Brainstorming for Term Project |
| 06 Oct | Preview of CD Exercise |
Read: Coverage of a recent crisis (TBA) Read: Appendix 4, NRW |
| 08 Oct | Draft Workshop | Write: Draft of news story covering the crisis described on the CD |
| 10 Oct | Discussion: Questions about the course so far | Read: Chapter 8, NRW Write: Revised crisis story Write: Midterm self-assessment (what have you learned; what could use more explanation; how, specifically, can I help you?) Submit: Journal/Practicum Portfolio |
| 13 Oct | Fall Break | |
| 15 Oct | Discuss: Rip and Read Journalism Sign up for Oral Reports Possible topics:
|
Read: "Blondes 'to die out in 200 years'". Write in your Blog: Research this story online and assess its news value. |
| 17 Oct | Discuss: IANS Oral Reports |
Read: It Ain't Necessarily So (IANS) Prologue, Introduction & Ch 1 Journal: Search online for current news stories on two topics mentioned in Ch 1, and determine the extent to which the authors' observations still apply. |
| 20 Oct | Discuss: IANS Oral Reports |
Read: Ch 2-4, IANS Write: 2 questions that arise from the readings & that you'd like to discuss today |
| 22 Oct | Discuss: IANS Oral Reports |
Read: Ch 5-7, IANS Write: 2 questions that arise from the readings & that you'd like to discuss today |
| 24 Oct | Discuss: IANS Oral Reports |
Read: Ch 8-10, IANS Write: 2 questions that arise from the readings & that you'd like to discuss today |
| 27 Oct | Discuss: IANS Oral Reports |
Read: Conclusion, IANS Journal: Continue reflecting on readings Write: Proposal for Term Project (1p) |
| 29 Oct | TBA | Read: Chapter 13, NRW Revise: Your "Mock Crime Story" featuring the fictional character Write: A bulleted list of things you changed and why you changed them |
| 31 Oct | Discuss "Media Law" | Read: Chapter 22, NRW Write: Ex 3 (p485), NRW Journal: Comment on a current media law issue |
| 03 Nov | Discussion: A current media law issue | Read: TBA |
| 05 Nov | Discuss "Media Ethics" | Read: Chapter 23, NRW Write: Ex 1-5 (p508), NRW Journal: Comment on a current media ethics issue |
| 07 Nov | Discussion: A current media ethics issue | None |
| 25 Aug | Introductions; review of syllabus | None |
| 27 Aug | Discuss: "The Nature of News" | Read: Preface & Chapter 1, News Reporting and Writing (NRW) Write: Brief response to reading; p18 Ex 1 |
| 29 Aug | Anatomy of a Newspaper | Read: Print edition of the 28 August Tribune-Review |
| 01 Sep | Labor Day | |
| 03 Sep | Discuss: "The Changing News Business" | Read: Chapter 2, NRW Read: The 02 Sep Tribune Review (print edition) Write: Response to reading; comparison of www.nytimes.com, [www.foxnews.com] |
| 05 Sep | Lecture: "Inventing Modern News" Demonstration: Lexis-Nexis, Google News, Wayback Machine
|
Read:
Write: Brief reflection on each assigned reading |
| 08 Sep | Jokesters and Hoaxsters
|
Read: The Onion (print out home page and bring to class) Submit: Clipping/printout of a current "real" hard news story (not a feature such as a movie review or a description of a sports event) on the same topic as a spoof in The Onion (use Google News) Write: Brief reflection comparing the real and spoof stories Read: Joey Skaggs profile [BG 1 2 3] |
| 10 Sep | Interview Workshop | Read: Chapter 4, NRW Write: Mock crime story involving a well-known fictional character in a contemporary, serious situation (Jill arrested for assault after Jack found unconscious and injured, etc.) (2p) |
| 12 Sep | Draft Workshop | Write: Profile of classmate (2p) (Bring two copies) |
Course website: http://jerz.setonhill.edu/teaching/EL277
