Journalism 1(
Fall 2004
Dr. Vivian B. Martin
Office:
318 Willard
Office
Hours:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
& by appointment
E-mail:
martinv@mail.ccsu.edu, vbmartin@aol.com
http://www.english.ccsu.edu/martin/
Goals of the Course:
(1)
Clear, effective writing of news and feature stories.
(2)
Development of interviewing and research skills.
(3)
An understanding of the gathering and production of news, and the challenges
and responsibilities of journalism.
(4)
An appreciation of the importance of journalism to democracy.
Providing
context for our reporting and writing will be readings, lectures and
discussions that situate journalism historically and highlight some of the
technological, economic, and social changes shaping the future of journalism. A
class project in November will combine news criticism and ethics.
Required Course Materials:
A Journalistic Approach to Good Writing, Robert Knight
The New York Times (purchased through
class at student rate)
Computer Disk, PC
For
assigned readings and other resources, the class will utilize WEBCT at
http://pipeline.ccsu.edu. You will need an
NT account to access the site.
Assignments:
You
will do a mix of writing, reading, discussing, quiz-taking, and group work. You
will write 5-6 articles outside of class. I will distribute a list of due dates
in a few weeks after I have a better sense of students’ strengths and
weaknesses. DO NOT send assignments through email unless I request it.
Attendance Policy:
Much
will happen during scheduled class hours. You are expected to attend every
class. Two cuts per semester will be allowed without grade penalty.
Unexcused absences and/or excessive tardiness may result in a lowered final
grade.
Grading:
A=
Excellence; the work is publishable with only minor changes.
A-/B+
= Well-written
with appropriate use of facts. The article may have a “hole” or need some additional
material, but it is free of factual errors and has no more than one or two
grammar or punctuation errors.
B =
Generally good work. The writing is solid, but the
lead needs more work. More factual detail is usually needed. A
few (only a few) errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling.
B-/C+
= Awkward phrasing, syntax, grammar, and punctuation have derailed the piece,
distracting from the strengths. More reporting may be needed.
C =
Average. Several organizational, writing and/or reporting
problems. Contains factual errors or insufficient factual information Many
spelling, grammar and punctuation errors.
C-/D+
= Generally indicates careless work: Factual errors,
grammar and punctuation mistakes; word usage problems. Needs
more research.
D/D-
=Poor work. Many things have gone wrong. Please meet with me.
F=
Please meet with me to discuss the work and set up a plan for improvement.
A
late assignment will cost a student one letter grade on that assignment.
Missing the deadline by more than a week will mean an automatic F ( zero) for the assignment.
Rewrite
Policy:
I
allow students one rewrite for a higher grade. I average the grade from the
original and the rewrite. You must hand in the rewrite within 10 days after
receiving the original grade. Talk to me before you rewrite; without some
guidance, you could end up with a lower grade on the rewrite. Seriously -- It happens.
Academic Misconduct:
Disruptive classroom
behavior, cheating, and plagiarism can jeopardize your standing in this class.
Plagiarism, the use of
work ( ideas, words, images, tables, code, mathematical formulas)
other than your own without appropriate attribution, will result in an automatic “F” for the
course, and possibly further
disciplinary action. Do your own work. If you do not know what plagiarism is,
educate yourself. Ignorance of the rules
is not justification for plagiarism. Make sure you understand how to attribute
work for printed and online sources.
Schedule
Due dates and topics for
assignments
will be announced in class. Here’s a list of some of the topics the class will
study; however, I often adjust the material so that students can respond to
current events.
Topics for late August/September
The
Lead and Components of
the News Story
Introduction
to the Newspaper in American Life
Orientation
to the Journalism/Writing Lab
Grammar/punctuation
review
Topics for October
Interviewing
Speeches,
Meetings and News Conferences
The
reporter in American history
Finding
information (reference books, agencies, Internet)
Features
Topics for November
Finding information (cont.)
Watergate
Intro
to Press Law and Ethics
Narrative
and other creative forms
Review
Exam
Major
Graded Writing Assignments*
Due
Press
Conference 5% of final
grade
Everybody
Has a Story
10%
Interview/Election 10%
Speech/Meeting 10 %
Essay/TBA
10-15%
Profile
20%
In-class
work 15%
(writing, quizzes/mini midterm, class discussions)
*
Dates and weights are approximate