Course Syllabus

Journalism

            Battlefield High School

Mr. Bridges- bridgej@pwcs.edu

 

Welcome to Journalism for SY 2021-2022!  In the different levels of this course, we will explore how to write for the news, how to write various types of news articles, how to utilize social media for journalistic purposes, and how to serve in various roles in a journalistic environment. 

 

Grading:

Grading will be conducted in a variety of ways that include traditional teacher grading, peer to peer grading, and a combination of both.

 

Reassessment Opportunities: 

All students will have the opportunity to reassess their level of mastery after reflecting on previous practice and demonstrating additional preparation for reassessing their knowledge and skill. In order to reassess, students must have completed all assignments leading up to that assessment.  

 

 

Behavior:

Students are part of a learning community.  As such, it is beneficial for you to come to class prepared to participate in individual and common educational goals. 

 

  • Students must be respectful of the virtual academic environment in all ways. 
  • Students’ language must be appropriate.
  • Students’ work must be suitable for the school environment.
  • Students should do their best to eliminate distractions when meeting and working for this class. 

 

Academic Violations: 

Academic violations consist of any student action that, through misrepresentation or other means, compromises the integrity of the learning process for one or more students. Academic violations are considered behavioral issues and could result in disciplinary action from the student’s administrator. Additionally, the student will not receive credit for the work in question and will be required to resubmit the assignment or an equivalent assignment. The teacher may place a zero or NHI in the gradebook as a place holder until the assignment has been completed.   

 

 

Technology:

  • Student writing will be completed using MS OneDrive.  I will set up folders with students the first week of school, but ALL work for Journalism must be completed in the shared folder where I can access and track daily progress while students work during class.
  • Completed articles will be submitted on Canvas. 

 

Class Philosophy:

 

  • Because everybody is starting with a different level of skills and experience as a writer, it is imperative that you participate in the writing process and display growth as a writer. Opportunities will be available for edits and rewrites.  If you dedicate yourself and set your mind to improving as a writer, you will be successful. 

 

Publications and Projects

  • We have several STUDENT-RUN projects that we manage as a course. Students elect to work and manage these projects and the finished product is a reflection of their knowledge and dedication. 

 

  • Website- BHSBeat.Org – The BHS Beat is a showcase of some of the best writing that has been produced by students in Battlefield’s Journalism program.  It is run by a group of around a dozen student editors and updated weekly. 

 

  • Newspaper- The BHS Beat. For the first time in over a decade, BHS Journalism will be creating and publishing a quarterly newspaper.  This newspaper will strictly feature BHS related content that will be selected based off of merit.   

 

  • Social Media Accounts- Twitter and Instagram- @BHSBeat: We have two social media accounts run by a dedicated group of students that share student news and produce video content for our social media platforms. 

 

  • Battlefield Sports Network- New to our program last year, the BHS Sports Network is an additional, optional, STUDENT-RUN project.  Students participating with the BSN will practice broadcast, video editing, graphic design, and live reporting skills. 

 

After school availability:

  • By appointment. Please make arrangements if you intend to stop by after school.