News Reporting Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Course

COMM-2315-001 News Reporting

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: COMM 2311

Course Description

This course focuses on advanced new-gathering and writing skills. It concentrates on the three-part process of producing news stories: discovering the news, reporting the news and writing the news in different formats.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Supplies

\ Notebook and pen (instructor will provide a notebook)

\ Voice recorder (not required, but will be helpful) 

Student Performance

CLASS PARTICIPATION–

Students are encouraged to ask questions and to participate in class discussions in the spirit of sharing and gaining knowledge.  Class work includes analysis of newspaper story styles and writing exercises.  Thorough, well-organized class notes will prove extremely helpful in preparing for future writing assignments.  After the first two scheduled labs, lab time may be arranged individually, centered around individual assignments.  Each student must accumulate 2 hours of lab time weekly for assigned stories.  After first two labs, students will use lab time to work on assigned stories and for scheduled side-by-side editing.

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS OF COURSE:  Students will learn to gather accurate information, order the information into a cohesive news or feature story and process the story using computers and software for possible publication in a general interest newspaper, magazine or online news site. Writing styles and methods that go beyond those studied in COMM 2311 will be introduced.

COURSE GOALS:

After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by faculty in the program:

1. Make sound news judgments.

2. Identify the roles and responsibilities of journalists.

3. Identify the legal and ethical areas that govern the day-to-day conduct of a journalist.

4. Gather information for use in news and feature stories via traditional research methods, by conducting interviews and by using online reporting techniques.

5. Write effective cutlines.

6. Write stories using standard journalistic style with computer hardware and software.

7. Cover and write stories on speeches, news conferences and meetings.

8. Write effective news releases.

9. Cover and write stories on accidents and disasters.

10. Identify types of opinion writing.

11. Write effective columns and reviews.

12. Understand and apply AP style to news and feature writing.

13. Write effective in-depth stories.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Designed to be completed during the regular 16-week semester, COMM 2315 requires strict adherence to established deadlines.

Specific story topics will be assigned by the Ranger editor. The assignments will be posted in the Virtual Newsroom (in Blackborad/AC Connect) no later than a week before the story due date.

In addition to instruction, assignments and exams, students taking News Reporting and Writing II will have the opportunity for lab story assignments to be published in both the print and online editions of the AC student newspaper, The Ranger; and the student magazine, AC Current.

BASIC ASSIGNMENTS:         

•             Possible in-class writing assignments for practice
•             6 stories for The Ranger weekly print newspaper
•             4 stories for The Ranger online newspaper
•             1 magazine story for AC Current magazine
•             Possible copy editing/style quizzes
•             2 exams

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Cell phones should be silenced or turned off during the scheduled classroom lecture time. In addition, students are expected to comply with the publication Student Rights & Responsibilities.

Plagiarism is unacceptable. Read about it in Student Rights & Responsibilities. 

Grading Criteria

REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS:  Two exams (equally weighted) can be anticipated.

EVALUATIONS:        

            A = 90-100      B = 80-89        C = 70-79        D = 60-69        F = 59 or below

50%of final grade – 10 stories for The Ranger, 1 story for AC Current (Ranger stories = 40% of final grade;AC Current story = 10% of final grade)
Specific story topics will assigned by the Ranger editor no less than one week before the deadline. Magazine stories will be assigned no less than 3 weeks before the due date.

Stories will be graded for time spent gathering information and organizing the material and for good journalism practices, which include:

      • sources and quotes (at least 3 “live” sources per story)

      • simple story formula when appropriate or other story formulas

      • at least 14 column inches (about 400 words) per story; some story topics may require more

      • lack of editorializing (writer’s opinion in news or feature stories)

      • making deadlines

      • spelling, grammar and punctuation

      • AP style

      • story organization

      • lead

      • lack of legal problems

10% of final grade – attendance and participation in class and lab

15% of final grade – open-book quizzes, writing assignments as required for concept mastery, class assignments, class participation

25% of final grade – 2 exams (mid-term exam and final exam). 

Attendance

Regular attendance in class and lab is required if the student is to do well in the course.  Roll will be taken at each class meeting. The instructor reserves the right to lower the final course grade in light of poor classroom/lab attendance. Unless the instructor approves a legitimate reason, more than three cuts will result in lowering the student’s final course grade by one letter grade.

There will be no instructor-initiated withdrawals from this class. Students are responsible for dropping or withdrawing from this course as necessary. When a student veteran stops attending class (the equivalent of one week of absences), the Registrar’s Office and the veteran’s counselor will be notified. No official warnings will be given students when excessive absences jeopardize their successful completion of the course.

Calendar

Additional Information

Prerequisite: Successful completion of COMM 2311 or consent of instructor.