J310 Writing, Reporting & Ethics III
| j310_library_assignment_fall_2010.doc |
Important stuff
Posterous class blog -- visit here for recent stuff and links to student work.
Syllabus
j310_fall_2010_syllabus.rtfFile Size: 54 kbFile Type: rtfDownload File
Assignments
1. Final Project: Multimedia project: 30%
2. Feature story: 20%
3. Midterm: 20% (Must make a C or better on the mid-term in order to pass the class; if you make a C- or lower on the mid-term you can retake it once (on Nov. 22) and have your grade averaged)
4. In-class and brief out-of-class assignments 20% * Assignments cannot be made up.
5. Participation/Class citizenship 10% (On-time attendance, participation in class discussions, responding to reading assignments, respectful behavior toward professor and fellow students. Disruptive behavior will result overall grade -- not just participation -- severe grade deduction.) Additional notes on class conduct:
• Computers should only be turned on when professor asks the students to do so. Computers may not be used during class to complete homework for other classes, shop, chat, enjoy porn, break-up with boy/girlfriend, adopt a gerbil, etc. failure to do so can result in an F for the class.
• Cell phones etc. must be turned-off. No calls, no texting. Texting, instant messaging, taking calls, etc. during class can result in a “0” for that day’s in-class assignment regardless of whether you complete the day’s work.
• Rude, disrespectful or disruptive behavior can result in a lower overall grade or even a failing grade – no matter what your performance is on assignments – depending on the severity of the behavior.
Coursework:
All students must supply their own AA batteries in order to use the Flip video cameras.
Equipment check-out form
equipment_checkout.pdfFile Size: 61 kbFile Type: pdfDownload File
Schedule
Week 1 (Aug. 23): First Day: “Powerful New Ways to Tell Stories”; class survey, introductions
Week 2 (Aug. 30): Google Maps: Ubiquity of online maps today’s news; using online maps; create your own map
Week 3 (Sept. 6): NO CLASS: LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Week 4 (Sept. 13): Reviews: Traditional reviews & their components; world’s best reviewers and what makes them great; from Amazon to Yelp: Rise of online reviews
Week 5 (Sept. 20): Video bootcamp. Review of newspaper websites’ use of video; basics of video editing; introduction to iMovie
Week 6 (Sept. 27): Video bootcamp (continued): Shooting video: basic techniques; interviewing w/ a camera; video story forms; why online newspaper videos are not TV.
PLEASE BRING TWO DOUBLE AA BATTERIES TO CLASS
Week 7 (Oct. 4): Background research: Intro to databases for your final project: Class meets in Oviatt Library Room
Week 8 (Oct. 11): Explanatory Journalism. How-to stories
**DUE: Library assignment
**Week 9 (Oct. 18): EXAM
Week 10 (Oct. 25): Feature writing + alternative story forms (**due Nov. 8)
Week 11 (Nov. 1): Social Media (blogs, Twitter, and other tools to connect with audiences)
**Week 12 (Nov. 8): Feature story exhibition. Stories due: To be shared with class
Week 13 (Nov.15): Legal: Refresher on legal issues + newer issues with online content including Creative Commons, etc.
Week 14 (Nov. 22): Citizen Media: Pros and cons. What is its significance for professional journalism?
Week 15 (Nov. 29): Project workshop
Week 16 (Dec. 6): Last day: Exhibition of final projects.
Syllabus
j310_fall_2010_syllabus.rtfFile Size: 54 kbFile Type: rtfDownload File
Assignments
1. Final Project: Multimedia project: 30%
2. Feature story: 20%
3. Midterm: 20% (Must make a C or better on the mid-term in order to pass the class; if you make a C- or lower on the mid-term you can retake it once (on Nov. 22) and have your grade averaged)
4. In-class and brief out-of-class assignments 20% * Assignments cannot be made up.
5. Participation/Class citizenship 10% (On-time attendance, participation in class discussions, responding to reading assignments, respectful behavior toward professor and fellow students. Disruptive behavior will result overall grade -- not just participation -- severe grade deduction.) Additional notes on class conduct:
• Computers should only be turned on when professor asks the students to do so. Computers may not be used during class to complete homework for other classes, shop, chat, enjoy porn, break-up with boy/girlfriend, adopt a gerbil, etc. failure to do so can result in an F for the class.
• Cell phones etc. must be turned-off. No calls, no texting. Texting, instant messaging, taking calls, etc. during class can result in a “0” for that day’s in-class assignment regardless of whether you complete the day’s work.
• Rude, disrespectful or disruptive behavior can result in a lower overall grade or even a failing grade – no matter what your performance is on assignments – depending on the severity of the behavior.
Coursework:
- Spelling and grammatical errors will result in a significantly lower grade and possibly failing the assignment and class.
- Factual errors may result in an F with the option to revise and take the average of the two grades.
- Late and missed assignments cannot be accepted or made up.
All students must supply their own AA batteries in order to use the Flip video cameras.
Equipment check-out form
equipment_checkout.pdfFile Size: 61 kbFile Type: pdfDownload File
Schedule
Week 1 (Aug. 23): First Day: “Powerful New Ways to Tell Stories”; class survey, introductions
Week 2 (Aug. 30): Google Maps: Ubiquity of online maps today’s news; using online maps; create your own map
Week 3 (Sept. 6): NO CLASS: LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Week 4 (Sept. 13): Reviews: Traditional reviews & their components; world’s best reviewers and what makes them great; from Amazon to Yelp: Rise of online reviews
Week 5 (Sept. 20): Video bootcamp. Review of newspaper websites’ use of video; basics of video editing; introduction to iMovie
Week 6 (Sept. 27): Video bootcamp (continued): Shooting video: basic techniques; interviewing w/ a camera; video story forms; why online newspaper videos are not TV.
PLEASE BRING TWO DOUBLE AA BATTERIES TO CLASS
Week 7 (Oct. 4): Background research: Intro to databases for your final project: Class meets in Oviatt Library Room
Week 8 (Oct. 11): Explanatory Journalism. How-to stories
**DUE: Library assignment
**Week 9 (Oct. 18): EXAM
Week 10 (Oct. 25): Feature writing + alternative story forms (**due Nov. 8)
Week 11 (Nov. 1): Social Media (blogs, Twitter, and other tools to connect with audiences)
**Week 12 (Nov. 8): Feature story exhibition. Stories due: To be shared with class
Week 13 (Nov.15): Legal: Refresher on legal issues + newer issues with online content including Creative Commons, etc.
Week 14 (Nov. 22): Citizen Media: Pros and cons. What is its significance for professional journalism?
Week 15 (Nov. 29): Project workshop
Week 16 (Dec. 6): Last day: Exhibition of final projects.
Basics
Professor: Melissa Wall, Ph.D.
Office: 330 Manzanita Hall; Hours:M 330-430; Th 530-7p.m.
Contact: melissawall[at]gmail.com
Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in Journalism 210 or its equivalent
Course description: J310 assumes you already have basic news reporting and writing skills. We will further develop these with a range of reporting assignments – from multimedia features to more in-depth reporting on social/political issues. We will consider both classic and newer forms of storytelling.
Readings: All readings are online. Please use your AP Stylebook
Plagiarism: All work must be based on original reporting. The Journalism Dept. is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and integrity. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating are not tolerated. Anyone caught cheating automatically will receive a failing grade in the course and be reported to the University for possible further disciplinary action. For further explanation of the behavior defined as cheating, and a more details regarding disciplinary procedures, consult the current CSUN catalog. Please also note that much of the information on the Internet is protected by U.S. copyright laws. Passing this information off as your own violates CSUN's plagiarism policy and carries the penalties outlined above.
Diversity: Students in this course are strongly encouraged to broaden their journalistic experiences, with the instructor's help, by including in their work people from ethnic, racial and religious minorities; the elderly, disabled and poor; gay men and lesbians; and other similar groups. This is to ensure that student work reflects the diversity of the community.
Office: 330 Manzanita Hall; Hours:M 330-430; Th 530-7p.m.
Contact: melissawall[at]gmail.com
Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in Journalism 210 or its equivalent
Course description: J310 assumes you already have basic news reporting and writing skills. We will further develop these with a range of reporting assignments – from multimedia features to more in-depth reporting on social/political issues. We will consider both classic and newer forms of storytelling.
Readings: All readings are online. Please use your AP Stylebook
Plagiarism: All work must be based on original reporting. The Journalism Dept. is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and integrity. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating are not tolerated. Anyone caught cheating automatically will receive a failing grade in the course and be reported to the University for possible further disciplinary action. For further explanation of the behavior defined as cheating, and a more details regarding disciplinary procedures, consult the current CSUN catalog. Please also note that much of the information on the Internet is protected by U.S. copyright laws. Passing this information off as your own violates CSUN's plagiarism policy and carries the penalties outlined above.
Diversity: Students in this course are strongly encouraged to broaden their journalistic experiences, with the instructor's help, by including in their work people from ethnic, racial and religious minorities; the elderly, disabled and poor; gay men and lesbians; and other similar groups. This is to ensure that student work reflects the diversity of the community.
