Course Syllabus

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Course Description:  Journalism I (J1), Journalism II (J2), Journalism III (J3), and Journalism IV (J4) students will begin by learning and/ or reviewing the basics of print journalism—interviewing, copy writing, research, types of articles, ethics, etc. The students will then study and write news, feature, sports, editorial, and other forms of journalistic articles. After the first quarter, J2, J3, J4 students will be working primarily on publishing the school newspaper. This process requires focus, determination, and self-driven work ethics.  The course is modeled after real-life journalistic experiences where the individual is expected to generate ideas, complete work independently, and submit work on time to meet sensitive deadlines for the school paper.  J1 students will help contribute to the newspaper and yearbook, but will also occasionally focus on studying various other forms of journalism. All journalism students will learn editorial leadership, develop a sense of professionalism, understand the role of the newspaper in our society, and become productive members of the publication staff. They may also represent the newspaper staff in the community by writing for the professional press in internship positions, and/or serve as tutors in neighboring middle schools.

 

Units of Study: The following curriculum may be altered and/or supplemented as needed. 

1st Quarter:       J1: Print Journalism, Newspaper “Boot Camp” 

J2/3/4: Newspaper “Boot Camp,” Begin Issue #1 

2nd Quarter:      J1: Journalism History, Journalism Law and Ethics

J2/3/4: Finish Issue #1, Issue #2 

3rd Quarter:      J1: Journalism in the Digital Age

  • Social Media
  • Radio/ Podcasts
  • Documentaries

J2/3/4: Issue #3 

4th Quarter:      J1: Photojournalism (Yearbook) 

J2/3/4: Issue #4 

Required reading and Texts:

Articles and selections from various works that I select, which are posted these here on Canvas.   

Virtual Classroom Expectations

  1. Please remain muted and, when possible, leave the camera on during lectures. Students may type their questions into the feed, and I will respond. Students may also raise their hand and wait for a speaking opportunity.
  2. In online discussions, proper grammar and complete sentences are the minimum expectation.  Students are expected to refrain from inappropriate language and keep their posts to school and classroom-appropriate topics.
  3. We’re all trying to get through this together. With mutual respect and kindness, this class can be a pleasure for everyone involved. Students who do not observe and adhere to the code of conduct will be removed from video meetings and online discussions for disrespectful, distracting, or inappropriate behavior and referred to administration.

Evaluation Policy & Procedures

Course assessment includes: 

80% Summative Assessments (articles, projects, presentations, tests, and editing responsibilities)

20% Formative Classwork (quizzes, drafts, reading checks, unit notes, and questions (skill-building activities), etc.)

Classwork and Homework

All assignments should have the following four pieces of information at the top of the page:  the student’s name, the student’s block, the teacher’s name, and the date that it is due. 

Late Work

Work will be assigned and submitted online TO CANVAS, not emailed! Acceptance of late work is the instructor’s discretion, which means that I do not grade work that is submitted PAST THE DUE DATE LISTED ON CANVAS. Any work that is not submitted by the due date on Canvas will not be graded. This means that you may not submit any assignment after the due date listed on canvas. No assignment will be unlocked for you to complete. No exceptions. DUE DATES ARE FIRM. You are responsible for completing work when it is due.  Any summative assignment that is not submitted during class will be entered into the gradebook at a lower priority.  NO ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE UNLOCKED ON CANVAS.

It is the student’s responsibility to check their "to do" list and calendar on Canvas!  If you are absent, you are responsible for checking it. If you are present, you are responsible for checking it.

In the field of Journalism, due dates are non-negotiable.  A deadline is a deadline for publications.  In the real world of Journalism, not making a deadline would jeopardize the success of the publication.  Not only are you here to learn writing articles and the subject of Journalism,  but you are also here to learn to submit assignments before they are due so that publications make the deadline.  

It is the student’s responsibility to request and complete makeup work for days when he or she was absent from class activities. All work not turned in will immediately receive a grade of zero in the grade book, until it is turned in. 

DISCUSSION BOARDS: these are ongoing and graded. Students are expected to respond respectfully and appropriately.  Proper grammar is expected.  Students must show engagement with their peers in an academic discussion for these assignments.

UNIT NOTES AND QUESTIONS (Class Participation): Students are expected to be present in class and attend all Zoom meetings.  Students are expected to remain actively engaged during instruction by completing notes and questions.  These notes and questions are submitted at the end of the unit.  The due date for this will be put on the calendar in canvas.

FORMAL ARTICLES and TESTS: Students are assigned formal  article assignments.  On occasion, there will be tests.  Proper use of the AP Style Guide is required on all article assignments.  All students are required to adhere to the AP guidelines for writing journalistic articles.  Students who do not follow the guidelines will only receive partial credit on assignments.  Formal articles and tests are summative assessments that make up 80% of the student's grade.

Retakes

If you feel that an assessment grade does not accurately reflect your level of knowledge or effort, contact me and we will create a retake plan. There are already several attempts built into the online assessments, therefore, a student should be able to meet grade level expectations through that process.  Anything beyond that, involves remediation during office hours, corrections on the assignment, and a written article on the assessment topic to replace the grade.

Ethical Practice and Plagiarism:

Plagiarism occurs when a person passes off someone else’s work as his or her own. This practice can range from failing to cite an author or source for ideas incorporated into a paper to handing in a paper or assignment copied completely or partially from the Internet or another person. A student is guilty of plagiarism when he or she presents another person’s intellectual property, consciously or not, as his or her own. For the purpose of this class, this action would include the academically dishonest practice of cheating on a test or using another person’s answers or work.  

Student Responsibility:

Students are expected to attend class Zoom sessions and participate by completing notes and questions.  In addition, the expectation is that students remain mindful of due dates listed on the calendar.   If a student does not have internet, it is his or her responsibility to watch the Zoom video sessions when the internet becomes available to  them.