Course Syllabus
Journalism 1 and 2 | 2021-2022
Course Description
This course will provide a multi-faceted introduction to the field of Journalism. This includes the early history of the field, first amendment rights, ethics, fact-checking and credibility, 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.
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.
Grades will be calculated based upon the following assessment categories:
80% - Summative Assessments: These assessments are a way for students to demonstrate that they have mastered learning target(s) that have been addressed during a unit of study. Students will use self-review, peer-review and instructor feedback to improve assignments. Using the Grading Contract, students will reflect upon their work and its improvement throughout the quarter.
20% - Formative Assessments: The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback towards a learning target(s) that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning. For example: homework, classwork (synchronous and asynchronous), daily checks Formative assessments are generally low stakes, which means that they have low or no point value.
Evidence of learning progress in the gradebook will be updated weekly to facilitate communication between all stakeholders (teacher, student, parent/guardian, administration).
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 Contract influenced by Alan Blackstock & Virginia Exton (2014) and Jane Danielewicz & Peter Elbow (2009). The intention of the Grading Contract 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:
- Attend class regularly—not missing more than 7 days of classes—with outstanding circumstances in consideration.
- Meet deadlines and writing conventions for all assignments. (Submission is not the same as acceptance. You may submit your work, but that doesn’t guarantee acceptance. If I don’t accept it, then I will inform you in a timely manner of your needed revisions. Turning it in means nothing until it is accepted.
- Engage in the development, improvement, and reflection in all synchronous and asynchronous exercises and activities.
- Complete all writing assignments including drafts, free writes, peer revisions, personal revisions, peer editing, and personal editing.
- 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…”).
- Demonstrate visible sustained effort and investment on each draft of all papers. Material evidence is required for proof.
- Make substantial revisions when the assignment is to revise—extending or changing the thinking or organization—not just editing or touching up.
- Edit all final revisions of main assignments until they conform to the conventions of edited, revised English; this includes images and captions.
- Attend conferences with the advisor to discuss progress and drafts.
- Engage in the community by initiating actions to further the group’s goals of better writing and writers.
The grade of B (85%) is entirely founded on your work ethic, production, and engaged participation as a member to further the goals of the 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 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, and set in a conference with me. You are charged with proving to me that you have 1) fulfilled the contract and 2) have gone above and beyond the contract.
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 teacher and writer, but will result in a grade lower than an 80%.
Late Work Policy
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.
Academic Violations
Students are responsible for neither giving nor receiving assistance (written, orally, or otherwise) on tests, examinations, final evaluations, or class assignments that are to be graded as the work of a single individual. Cheating includes the giving or receiving of computer files, program, part of program, or other computer-based information without specific teacher direction or approval. Cheating encompasses any violation of rules where the violation involved dishonesty.
Due to the multiple opportunities afforded students throughout the year, the expectation of students who are struggling is that they reach out to their teacher for additional assistance. Students who are found to have cheated on an assignment, either by giving or receiving unauthorized assistance will receive a disciplinary referral and earn a zero on the assignment. Additionally, students will forfeit any further additional opportunities on that assignment until the final exam. Students have the right to appeal this decision, which will be referred to a panel of independent teachers and staff to make a final determination.
Opportunities for Improvement
COURSE GRADES: Students can improve their course grade at any time throughout the year. Students should speak individually with their teacher to discuss a pathway for that improvement.
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS: Students will assess their own work using the ten conditions of the grading contract. Using informative feedback from their instructor, peers and self-review, students can continue to improve their work and engagement in the class.
FOMATIVE ASSESSMENTS: These assessments (classwork, homework, quizzes) are considered preparatory in nature and therefore cannot be reassessed. There will be ample formative assessments provided to ensure that students who perform the tasks below mastery will be given follow up assessments and more opportunities for feedback before a summative assessment is assigned.
Student Expectations
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.
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. Also, Journalism will have periodic, after school meetings where contributors and editors meet to discuss future website publications, and work with contributors outside the course elective.
Calendar
Course Options
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Quarter 1 |
Quarter 2 |
Quarter 3 |
Quarter 4 |
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Option 1 |
Fall Sport Player Article Coach Article |
Media X2 Podcast or Video Scripts and/or Story Board |
News 350 Article and 500 Article or 800+ Article |
Opinion/Editorial 2x500 word |
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Option 2 |
Opinion/Editorial 2x500 word
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Winter Sport Player Article Coach Article |
Media X2 Podcast or Video Scripts and/or Story Board |
News 350 Article and 500 Article or 800+ Article |
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Option3 |
News 350 Article and 500 Article or 800+ Article
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Opinion/Editorial 2x500 word
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Spring Sport Player Article Coach Article |
Media X2 Podcast or Video Scripts and/or Story Board |
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Option 4 |
Media X2 Podcast or Video Scripts and/or Story Board |
News 350 Article and 500 Article or 800+ Article |
Opinion/Editorial 2x500 word
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Sports Year Recap? Looking Ahead? |
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Sports |
Podcast |
Video |
Article |
Op/Ed
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*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)
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*X2 Podcasts or Videos (Before Interim)
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*X2 Podcasts or Videos (Before Report Card)
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*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)
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*500+ word editorial (Before Interim) *500+ word editorial (Before Report Card)
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*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 |
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FALL SPORTS |
WINTER SPORTS |
SPRING SPORTS |
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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:
Sports News Media Opinion/Editorial
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.