Journalism I/II

Mr.  McCarthy

mccartae@pwcs.edu

Overview

The purpose of this course is to provide a multi-faceted introduction to the field of Journalism. This includes the early history of the field, first amendment rights, ethics, and how to write like a journalist. Students will receive both training in research and practice in writing. The intention of the course is to provide a foundation for future learning and development.

Assignments

Every assignment in the class is designed to provide a kaleidoscopic view of the established and changing landscape of the field of journalism. Each student will be responsible for completing their assignments independently, with revisions, and to meet deadlines. Additionally, each student will choose their own course option based on their social, academic, and personal lives. 

Grading

Grading will be by contract and, in an attempt to mimic the newsroom and encourage student-leadership, there is an established chain of command in place of which students will need to rely on others and be graded by other students. Students will be graded by the student Editor-in-Chief and the Advisor on their completion of each assignment with positive and progressive moves being made. This includes research, interviews, supplemental materials, images, copy, and deadline completions. The Editor-in-Chief is graded on their execution, leadership, and ability to get students to meet established deadlines.

Should issues or discrepancies arise, there will be a meeting between the student, Editor-in-Chief, and the Advisor in which the student will bring all evidence (assignment sheet and article) to be evaluated.

Commitment

Much of what the students accomplish in this class will take place outside of this class. Students will need to dedicate their time outside of class in covering events, people, or anything else that their assignment requires. If the student cannot cover an event they are assigned, then it is their responsibility to get coverage. This is a fun class, but it can quickly become overwhelming. The student will need to plan and organize their time. Discipline is a huge part of being a journalist. Additionally, at the end of each quarter, three days will need to be dedicated after school to layout & design.

PWCS Grading Scale

Achievement Grade                                              Percentage

A                        Advanced                               90-100

B+                                                                      87-89

B                        Above Requirements              80-86

C+                                                                      77-79

C                        Meets Requirements             70-76

D+                                                                      67-69

D                        Inadequate                               60-66

F                        Deadline Missed                     59-0

 

Calendar & Due Dates

It is imperative for a journalist to meet their deadlines because of the sensitivity of the content and competition with other news outlets. Thus, deadlines are critical and late work will not be accepted. Assignments will be organized between interim and report cards to assist in organizing, planning, and delivery. This means deadlines are final. 

Course Options

	Quarter 1	Quarter 2	Quarter 3	Quarter 4
Option 1	Fall Sport Player Article Coach Article	Media X3 Podcast or Video Scripts and/or Story Board	News 350 Article and 500 Article  or 800+ Article	Opinion/Editorial 2x500 word
Option 2	Opinion/Editorial 2x500 word	Winter Sport Player Article Coach Article	Media X3 Podcast or Video Scripts and/or Story Board	News 350 Article and 500 Article  or 800+ Article
Option3	News 350 Article and 500 Article  or 800+ Article	Opinion/Editorial 2x500 word	Spring Sport Player Article Coach Article	Media X3 Podcast or Video Scripts and/or Story Board
Option 4	Media X3 Podcast or Video Scripts and/or Story Board	News 350 Article and 500 Article  or 800+ Article	Opinion/Editorial 2x500 word	Sports Year Recap? Looking Ahead?

 

 

Sports	Podcast	Video	Article	Op/Ed
*Preview of the Game (Due Day of) *Review of the Game (Due Day after) *Player Review (Before Interim) *Coach Review (Before Report Card) *Season in Review (Before Report Card)	*X2 Podcasts or Videos (Before Interim)	*X2 Podcasts or Videos (Before Report Card)	*300 Word Article (Before Interim) *2x500 Word Article (Before Interim & Before Report Card) OR *800+ Word Article (Before Report Card) Publishable Paper (Before Report Card)	*500+ word editorial (Before Interim) *500+ word editorial (Before Report Card)
*Cover each home game *Score (game & box) *Summary *Key player *Quote from a player *Quote from a coach *Picture of the action *Submit Preview before *Submit Review after  *One feature of a player and a coach	*Four podcasts on topic of choice *Engaging and informative  *Submitted/approved script *Minimum one interview *Follow conventions of a podcast *Introduction Music *Discussion of topic *Interviews *Production *Editing *Average 10-15 minutes (may divide)	*2 Videos on topic of choice *Engaging and informative  *Submitted/approved script *Minimum one interview *Follow conventions of a video *Introduction *Music/Video *Discussion of topic *Interviews *Production *Editing *Average 10-15 minutes (may divide)	*Cover topic of choice or assigned *Hook Title *Answer 5 Ws & H *Research *Supplemental  Interview must follow *Conflict/Perspective *Article pitch *Revisions *Meet deadline *Must meet approximate word count	*Cover topic of choice/interest *Hook Title *Answer 5 Ws & H *Research *Persuade audience *Op/Ed Pitch *Consider ulterior perspective *Call to action *Revisions *Meet deadline *Must meet approximate word count

FALL SPORTS	WINTER SPORTS	SPRING SPORTS
Golf Boys Cross Country Girls Cross Country Competitive Cheer Field Hockey Football Co-ed Golf Girls Volleyball	Boys Basketball Girls Basketball Boys Indoor Track Girls Indoor Track Boys Swim & Dive Girls Swim & Dive Wrestling	Boys Crew Girls Crew Baseball Softball Boys Lacrosse Girls Lacrosse Boys Soccer Girls Soccer Boys Tennis Girls Tennis Boys Track Girls Track

 

 

 

                                                         Staff

Advisor: Mr. McCarthy

 Editor-in-Chief: Ella Creagh

       

  Sports                       News                     Media                                 Opinion/Editorial

Chandler Lynch       Yasmin Kettani      Megan Kosar           Anjali Badrinarian & Aldo Hernandez-Mendez  

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Editor-in-Chief – acts as the official word in the class. The EC is charged with organizing, assigning, reviewing, overseeing, and assessing all the work in the classroom. Their responsibility lies with producing the best product and furthering The Valkyrie name, reputation, and production. The EC is charged with assessing student work both at the section leader level and the contributor level. The EC is assessed by Mr. McCarthy for their leadership, involvement, and production. Additionally, the EC responsible for advertising and layout design.

Sports Section Leader – acts as the leader of the sports writers and reports to the EC. The SSL is charged with organizing, assigning, reviewing, and overseeing the sports writers in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Their responsibility lies with producing the best product in a timely manner of selected sports coverage. The SSL is charged with reviewing and revising the work of their contributors as well as producing their own interest in sports writing. Furthermore, the ASL will be designing and laying format design. The SSL is assessed by the Editor-in-Chief for their leadership, involvement, and production.

 Article Section Leader – acts as the leader of the article writers and reports to the EC. The ASL is charged with organizing, assigning, reviewing, and overseeing the article writers in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Their responsibility lies with producing the best product in a timely manner of selected article coverage. The ASL is charged with reviewing and revising the work of their contributors as well as producing their own interest in the article writing. Furthermore, the ASL will be designing and laying format design. The ASL is assessed by the Editor-in-Chief for their leadership, involvement, and production.

 Media Section Leader – acts as the leader of the media, podcast and video, and reports to the EC. The MSL is charged with organizing, assessing, reviewing, and overseeing the media in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Their responsibility lies with producing the best product in a timely manner of podcasts or videos. The MSL is charged with reviewing and revising the work of their contributors as well as producing their own interest in the media production. Furthermore, the MSL will be designing and laying format design. The MSL is assessed by the Editor-in-Chief for their leadership, involvement, and production.

Op/Ed Section Leader – acts as the leader of the opinion/editorial section and reports to the EC. The ESL is charged with organizing, assessing, reviewing, and overseeing all submitted op/eds in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Their responsibility lies with producing the best product in a timely manner of balanced, credibly supported editorials. The ESL is charged with reviewing and revising the work of their contributors and the student body as well as producing their own interest in the editorial/opinion section. Furthermore, the ESL will be designing and laying format design. The MSL is assessed by the Editor-in-Chief for their leadership, involvement, and production.

 Contributing Staff – acts as the voice for The Valkyrie and reports to their section leader. The staff is charged with completing their assignments and submitting in a timely manner. Their responsibilities lie with their assignment and working with their section leader to produce the best product possible. They are assessed by the designated section leader and report to them. Contributors are assessed by their work, revision, and deadlines.

 

Journalism Grading Contract

Because these courses are explicitly geared towards writing, improving writing, and the production of writing for publishable means, we will be entering into a Grading Contact influenced by Alan Blackstock & Virginia Exton (2014) and Jane Danielewicz & Peter Elbow (2009). The intention of the GC is to “formalize the agreement” in which “the instructor agrees to give a student a certain grade in exchange for a certain quantity and quality of work performed by the student” (Blackstock & Exton, 2014). In this way, behavior is concretely defined by production, development can be the focus for learning, and agency can be given back to the student.

 You are guaranteed a B (85%) each quarter if you adhere to the following conditions:

1. Attend classes regularly—not missing more than 7 days of classes—with outstanding circumstances into consideration.

1. Meet deadlines and writing conventions for all assignments.

1. Engage in the development, improvement, and reflection in all in-class exercises and activities.

1. Complete all writing assignments including drafts, free writes, and revisions.

1. Give thoughtful feedback—addressing the “how” and “why”— extending beyond shallow and surface level comments (e.g. “I like/don’t like this…” and “This is what I would do…”).

1. Demonstrate visible sustained effort and investment on each draft of all papers.

1. Make substantial revisions when the assignment is to revise—extending or changing the thinking or organization—not just editing or touching up.

1. Edit all final revisions of main assignments until they conform to the conventions of edited, revised English; this includes images and captions.

1. Attend conferences with the advisor, Editor-in-Chief, and/or Section Leader to discuss drafts.

1. Engage in the community by initiating actions to further the group’s goals.

 The grade of B (85%) is entirely founded on your work ethic, production, and engaged participation as a member to further the goals of this community. With this contract, I remove my judgement of the quality of writing as long as you are adhering to the ten conditions. 

Earning a grade higher than a B (85%) DOES subjectively rest upon my and the Editor-in-Chief’s judgement. Higher grades are indicative of “exceptional” quality and quantity of writing and citizenship. This will be determined at the end of each quarter before the report card. 

Earning a grade lower than a B (85%) reflects upon the inability of the writer to meet their contractual obligation. The assigned grade will be discussed between the advisor and writer.

 Advisor Signature ________________________     EIC Signature _________________________

Student Signature________________________________________________________________

 

ARTICLE IDEAS

1. AP INVESTIGATION

                Cost

                Demographics

                Time

                Well-being

1. STADIUM RENOVATIONS
2. ROAMING THE HALLS
3. ACADEMICS V ATHLETICS
4. STUDENT-WORK LIFE BALANCE
5. BEHIND THE WHEEL
6. MY VOICE: MY VOTE

 

1. APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
2. DATING

                Flirting - freshmen

                Talking - sophomore

                Dating - junior

                Breaking-Up - senior

1. THE EXTRACURRICULAR COMMITMENT
2. IN THE SHADOW OF A SIBLING
3. CLASSROOM DESIGN
4. THE BOOK LIST AND WHAT IT SAYS
5. THE FLIPPED CLASSROOM
6. WHAT STUDENTS DON’T HEAR TEACHERS SAY
7. WHAT TEACHERS DON’T HEAR STUDENTS SAY
8. ELECTIVE OPTIONS
9. GUN CONTROL
10. WHAT PARTY DO YOU BELONG TO?
11. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
12. SOCIAL MEDIA SHAMING
13. HYPOCRISY IN SOCIAL MEDIA OR FRIEND GROUPS
14. TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
15. LOWERING THE VOTING AGE
16. WHERE ARE OUR VALUES IN VOTING

                Voting age is lower

                Smoking age is raising

                Enlisting age

                Drinking age

 

1. WHAT IS THE IDEAL TEACHER/STUDENT
2. HOW DO STUDENTS WANT TO BE SPOKEN TO?
3. HOW DO TEACHERS WANT TO BE SPOKEN TO?
4. WHO ADVOCATES FOR STUDENTS
5. CELLPHONE POLICY

 

1. GROUP THINKING ON TWITTER
2. CANCEL CULTURE, CHANGE, & KAIROS
3. SHOULD YOU LETTER IN VIDEO GAMES/ “ESPORTS”

STAPLES

SPORTS

 

SCHOOL EVENTS

                Performances

                Championships

                Community

                Awards

                VHSL

 

STUDENT/TEACHER/ADMIN PROFILES

                Student

Senior

                                Junior

                                Sophomore

                                Freshmen

                                SPED

                                ESOL

                Teacher

                                Alumni teachers

                                Different departments

                Admin

                                AP

                                Counseling

                Support Staff

 

REVIEWS

                Movies

                Netflix/Hulu

                Music

                Restaurants

 

OBITUARIES 

                Goodbye to stupid things that had their time

 

CLASSROOM ODDITIES

                Teacher drawings

                Teacher tendencies

                Teacher jokes

Journalism Syllabus.docx