Digital & Broadcast News Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

COMM-2332-001 Digital & Broadcast News

Prerequisites

Course Description

Gather, edit, present and analyze news for broadcast stations; examine news department organization and philosophy. Presentation of regularly scheduled newscast on KACV-FM and/or development of television package news stories.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Reading will be assigned through Blackboard but there is no required textbook.  The following textbooks are recommended:

Freedman, W. (2003). It takes more than good looks to succeed at TV news reporting. Chicago, IL: Second Edition—ISBN: 978-0-9843125-3-5 (softcover) https://www.amazon.com/Takes-More-Looks-Succeed-Reporting/dp/1566251885

Dobbs, G. (2004). Better broadcast writing, better broadcast news. Allyn & Bacon.ISBN: 0-205-35994-9 https://www.amazon.com/Better-Broadcast-Writing-News/dp/0205359949

Supplies

• Reporters notebook (Instructor will provide`)
• Minimum 2G jump drive (AKA thumb drive, AKA USB drive)
• One terabyte portable hard drive (available at the AC Bookstore) (Students will not need this until after Spring Break)
• Headphones or earbuds for monitoring audio
• Smartphone microphone (available at the AC Bookstore)
• SD card
• Daily access to a computer with reliable Internet connection.  (Students will be required to communicate via Blackboard, check email and read various online resources including local and national news websites on a daily basis.)
• Inexpensive digital stopwatch (available at Walmart, Academy, Target, Office Depot, etc.) or phone with stopwatch function.

Recommended:

• Appropriate digital voice recorder or app for phone.  (Please check with your instructor before investing in equipment.)

LABS:  Mass Media computer labs are located on the second floor of Parcells Hall. Labs are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Students must sign up in advance to use the radio production studio in the Gilvin Broadcast Center.

EQUIPMENT:  Digital recorders, video cameras, tripods and microphones are available for check-out from Mass Media faculty. Equipment is limited and students must reserve their equipment in advance and return it in a timely manner. The gear is to be used for Mass Media class assignments ONLY. Personal use is strictly forbidden. Students who abuse or neglect gear for any reason, may lose the privilege of using AC Mass Media equipment and will be held responsible for repair or replacement. Students should make sure all gear is in proper working order when it is checked out and must report any malfunctions as soon as possible.

Student Performance

COURSE OBJECTIVES: After completing the required course activities, students will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of broadcast newsroom structure and available careers and positions in the industry
• identify newsworthy stories and exercise news judgment
• write proper script format for TV and radio
• develop accurate, concise, clear and conversational writing style for broadcast news media
• research and conduct interviews for broadcast news stories
• write and produce radio readers, readers with soundbites and packages.
• properly script a TV reader, vo, vo/sot and package.
• write compelling leads
• write teases for TV and radio news
• prepare and shoot a television stand-up
• prepare and carry out a television live shot
• demonstrate an understanding of the impact of convergence on broadcast news
• produce an accurate and quality radio newscast
• demonstrate an understanding of the professional ethics and responsibilities of a professional broadcast journalist
• demonstrate an understanding of basic shooting and editing techniques for TV news and the importance of visual story-telling
• generate story ideas
• analyze TV and radio news

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

I will send out emails to our whole class in Blackboard. However, please email me at mfowler@actx.edu - not through Blackboard. Please allow up to 48 hours for a reply to your email or phone messages. Correspondence received on Fridays and Holidays will not be addressed until the next regularly scheduled business day. In circumstances where a longer response time is needed, faculty will notify the student. Please allow at least one week for feedback for graded assignments and activities.

When communicating in an online format (i.e., e-mail, chat, discussions, etc.) please adhere to the standard rules of netiquette.

Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. (2014). 15 essential netiquette guidelines to share with your students (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. [Blog].

PROFESSIONALISM:  Students will be expected to behave professionally at all times.  Professionalism includes:

• Being responsible. Being punctual and attending all classes. Being prepared for class and participating actively. Avoiding disruptive behavior. Approaching your assignments with resourcefulness, and with the goal of completing them as thoroughly as possible. Doing your share when working on group projects. Taking the initiative to ask for help from the course instructor when you need it.
• Being respectful. Recognizing that you need to be respectful of the opinions of others. Being courteous in class and on assignments.  Treating news sources with respect.
• Being accountable. Remembering that when you are on assignment, your behavior, attitude and dress reflect not only on you, but also on the department and the College.
• Being ethical.  Following ethical guidelines for professional broadcast journalists as explained at http://www.rtdna.org/content/rtdna_code_of_ethics#.Usi1x_uAoic  and http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp . Recognizing that faking quotations, faking facts or reporting things that did not happen is unacceptable and will be considered serious academic misconduct.

CLASS POLICIES:

Students will arrive for class on time. Consistent late arrival and/or early departure will impact class participation grade.

Students will bring completed work to class on newscast days.

No substance or equipment in violation of the AC Student Code of Life will be permitted in communications courses.

Turn off cell phones or put them on silent ring during class. No text messaging will be permitted during class.

Plagiarism is considered serious academic misconduct. All written assignments presented in this class must be original work by the student. Any student caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a failing grade. Students must abide by high standards of journalistic integrity. Faking quotations, faking facts or reporting things that did not happen will be treated as plagiarism and dealt with in the same manner as other scholastic dishonesty.

No form of scholastic dishonesty will be tolerated.  Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

“Cheating on a test” shall include:

--Copying from another student’s test paper.

--Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test. -------Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test administrator.

--Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an unadministered test.

--The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the unadministered test.

--Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.

--Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test.

“Plagiarism”shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.

“Collusion” shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements. 

A complete statement regarding scholastic dishonesty can be found in the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

No administrative withdrawals will be initiated by the instructor.  It is each student’s responsibility to drop a class or withdraw from school in the event he/she decides to quit attending class.

Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook”

LATE WORK POLICY: Late work will NOT be accepted. You work as a team to produce weekly newscasts. It is up to each of you to do your part. You are responsible for completing all work in this course on time, in accordance with the guidelines for each assignment. If you do not understand an assignment or have difficulties with an assignment, it is your responsibility to contact me in a timely manner to request assistance. Be realistic about the time frame you use when requesting assistance and be specific as possible when asking a question. Begin your assignments early so that should the need for help arise, you have time to receive it and still meet the deadline for the assignment. All work should be typed.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

• • Don’t miss class, arrive on time, stay awake, participate and take notes.
  • Stay on top of due dates and turn in all your assignments on time.
  • If you don’t fully understand an assignment or topic, ask me.
  • Check out the online materials available through Blackboard for lecture notes and tips on how to complete your assignments.
  • If you have questions regarding assignments or due dates, do not hesitate to ask in person or email me immediately.

Grading Criteria

ASSIGNMENTS:

Online Reading: Students will be assigned online reading and may be given handouts. 

Daily Homework: Students must immerse themselves in both local and national news. Students are expected to watch at least one local and national television newscast daily, listen to radio news on local stations and National Public Radio and read a daily newspaper or news website. Unannounced quizzes on assigned reading and current events will be given.

Quizzes: Weekly 10-point quizzes will be given. Quizzes will cover local and national current events, reading assignments and material from course lectures.  Missed quizzes cannot be made up and will be counted as a zero. The two lowest quiz grades will be dropped.

Radio Newscast: During the first half of the semester, lab time will be used to produce and record radio newscasts that will air on the college radio station, FM-90. All students will participate in the production and recording process. Two students will be chosen to anchor each newscast. Students must sign up to anchor the newscast at least once during the semester and must assist with producing the newscast at least once during the semester.

Radio Writing: Each student will complete a minimum of six radio news stories.  Students who complete more than six stories will be able to drop their lowest grade(s). Stories turned in after deadline may receive an automatic zero. 

Video News Cut-ins: Each student must assist with and anchor the video news cut ins at least once during the semester.

Television Packages: Each student will write, shoot and edit two television news packages that include a minimum of two sound bites from two sources and an on-camera stand-up. Students will work in pairs to assist one another with shooting video. Students will turn in edited videos and final scripts.

Video Newscast: Students will be assigned specific responsibilities that will contribute to the production of a half-hour video newscast, which will air online.  Anchors will be chosen by audition. Grading on this assignment will be based on quality of finished product, ability to complete work by deadline and ability to work effectively in a team.

Comprehensive Final Exam: This exam will be given online. Students who miss NO MORE than two class meetings and NO MORE than one lab meeting will be exempt from this Final Exam.

Extra Credit Assignments: Extra credit assignments will be available. 

GRADING CRITERIA: 

· Class participation/attendance/in-class exercises/anchoring radio newscast/video news updates: 10%

· Quizzes: 10%

· Radio Writing: 30%

· TV packages: 30% (2 stories worth 15% each)

· Video Newscast: 10%

· Comprehensive Final Exam: 10% (students who miss NO MORE than two class meetings and NO MORE than one lab meeting will be exempt from this Final Exam)

TRACKING CLASS PROGRESS: Each student is responsible for keeping track of his or her progress in the class. Students must save all graded assignments until the end of the semester. Students are encouraged to schedule meetings with the instructor outside of class time to discuss their progress and grades in the course.

Attendance

Attendance for all classes, including lectures and labs, is mandatory.

Students are expected to come to class on time, with completed assignments on newscast days.

Attendance will be taken during the first five minutes of class. If you arrive late, make sure you speak to the instructor at the end of the class to get a “tardy” otherwise, an absence will be recorded. Leaving early without an excuse may be recorded as an absence.

Excused absence: An excused absence is usually characterized by an unforeseen life or death situation (one’s own or immediate family) or a personal sickness. Excused status will be determined by the instructor. However, a doctor’s note brought to the following class will guarantee excused status and institutional excuses. 

Impact: All students are required to notify the instructor in case of any absences prior to any missed classes.
Any unexcused absences will impact your grade:
- 3 unexcused absences will result in ONE letter grade lower.
- 5 unexcused absences will result in a FAILING GRADE.
- 3 unexcused late arrivals or early departures equals ONE absence.

Calendar

Additional Information