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- All successful newspapers are ceaselessly querulous and bellicose. They never defend anyone or anything if they can help it; if the job is forced on them, they tackle it by denouncing someone or something else.
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- ~H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
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- Journalism largely consists of saying 'Lord Jones is Dead' to people who never knew that Lord Jones was alive.
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- I read no newspaper now but Ritchie's, and in that chiefly the advertisements, for they contain the only truths to be relied on in a newspaper.
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Course Outline |
Course |
Introduction to Print and Online Media |
School |
College
of Arts and Sciences |
Department |
Department
of Languages, Literature and Philosophy |
Meetings |
This
Course is a Hybrid Course: 1/2 F2F, 1/2 Online |
Catalog
Description |
Techniques
of modern journalism; emphasis on news writing fundamentals, history and ethics of journalism, basic news writing skills. Prerequisite: Each student must
attain at least one of the following prior to enrolling: (a)
a score of at least 380 SAT Verbal and 40 or above on the
TSWE (Test of Standard Written English) or 20 on the verbal
section of the ACT; or (b) a passing score on the Compass
in English and in reading; or (c) exit learning support English
and learning support reading successfully. A composition course
focusing on skills required for effective writing in a variety
of contexts, with emphasis on exposition, analysis, and argumentation,
and also including introductory use of a variety of research
skills. |
Course Goals
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The field of journalism has a long history of freedom in America. The framers of the U.S. Constitution felt so strongly about the need for, and value of a free and open press that they placed it first among the Amendments: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
In this course, we will study the reasons why the privilege of the press is so important to a representative republic such as ours, and how profoundly the loss of citizen's trust in this institution can affect our ability to protect our personal and political freedoms. We will also study and practice the basic fundamentals of news writing and reporting.
There will be three major areas you will work in this semester.
First, you will study and discuss ideas from our textbook, newspaper articles, and online resources pertaining to the freedom of the press. Second, you will write three stories
for the student newspaper, The Inkwell. And third, you will keep a weekly online journal (blog) where you will practice critical writing about the mainstream media. |
Course Outcomes
- To
think critically about news context/content
- To show thoughtful and in-depth knowledge of the history and importance of print and online media
- To learn and practice the
basic elements of news writing/editing
- To understand beats and their value and application in news writing (meetings, speeches, police, courts, disasters,
tragedies, features, editorials, etc.)
- To understand the legal and ethical considerations of journalism
- To
learn and practice the basic research and Associated Press documentation
skills
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Course
Requirements
1) Attendance is required and necessary. More than four absences
are grounds for failure. There will be times in the semester
when you really need the days off, so don’t miss class
without good reason. If
you know you are going to miss a class, let me know. Missed
assignments will not be excused because of absences. Athletes:
any special arrangements for athletes must be made with the
professor at least two weeks prior to the event. Do
not come late to meetings. If you arrive more than 10 minutes
late, for any reason, you will be marked as absent. Likewise
for leaving meetings early. You will be credited with an absent if you are tardy three times. Late attendance and absences will affect your
participation grade. If you miss more than three meetings, you
will drop one grade point for every day missed beyond three.
2) 3 articles
3) News Critique blog
3) Final Portfolio w/Self-assessment
6) Participation in editing and proofing sessions.
7) Thoughtful, active and responsible participation in the process,
including contact with writing resources.You
are expected to be prepared for every meeting. This means
completing all reading and writing assignments on time. Failure
to do so will greatly affect your participation grade.
Late
articles or drafts are not acceptable and you will receive
zero credit for them without prior permission, and even then
under only extreme circumstances or emergency conditions. |
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