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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "DJRN 221"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to News Reporting and Writing"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2018
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Judy Bachrach
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 10:00-11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces writing and reporting techniques for the mass media. It focuses on the essential elements of writing for the print, online and broadcast media. The course also covers media criticism, ethics in media, and the formats and styles of public relations.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Never -- never ever in our history! -- has journalism been more important, more viewed or read, or more essential to an educated and informed public. And here I'm not only talking about US journalism which is certainly at risk thanks to an antagonistic administration, but journalism in Russia, China, Britain, France, Italy, the Middle East -- in short, worldwide. And yet, despite all efforts to stifle honest news and besmirch journalists of courage and integrity, good in-depth reporting continues -- and continues worldwide in the face of lies, repression, and occasionally, depending on the country, prison, torture and murder.
This course introduces writing and reporting techniques for mass media: how to write and report well and truthfully. It focuses on the essential elements of writing for print, online and broadcast media. The course also covers media criticism, ethics in media, and libel law.
Because of the constantly changing nature of fresh news (that, after all, is why it's called "news"), anything and everything mentioned below is subject to change. But here is a likely sample of what you may expect from the course:
Week 1: Terrible journalism. (I always like to start with wrongheaded, poorly reported stories because they prove useful guides on how to report well): the University of Virginia fraternity rape story as reported by (the ultimately discredited) Rolling Stone -- and certain Iraq war stories on weapons of mass destruction, as reported by, yes, the New York Times, stories that proved untrue and unfounded.
Week 2: this just in: well reported stories, namely the sexual harassment (and sometimes the rape...) of film and tv stars as well as journalists, receptionists, radio commentators -- practically anyone in fact -- by those in authority: producer Harvey Weinstein, National Public Radio boss Michael Orestes, the late Roger Ailes who ran (and terrorized) Fox News anchorwomen, the actor Kevin Spacey who hit on underlings. Etc Etc.
Week 3: a brief history of a free press in the US, beginning with John Peter Zenger and Ben Franklin.
More during Week 3: Sample writing -- from all of you, which will be read aloud in class and examined.
Week 4 and 5: Libel law. Basically, how to report and write anything you wish without being sued. All of you will be given subjects, and it will be up to you to write fairly and honestly about the subject. CASE IN POINT: Can President Donald Trump sue newspapers, magazines or TV personalities, as he has often threatened? Is this a viable form of conduct for a person in the limelight? And can he win?
OTHER CASE IN POINT: Hulk Hogan, a wrestler and film actor who did sue for invasion of privacy. And who did win.
Weeks 6, 7 and 8: Watergate. A scandal that was the beginning of modern American investigative journalism -- and also very nearly the end of it, thanks to an antagonistic administration headed by Richard Nixon.
There will be a test during Week 8 of the semester on Watergate.
Weeks 9, 10 and 11: Feature writing: the kind of writing that most nearly approaches fiction writing, except what is written about is factual. Feature writing is lengthier than daily journalism and allows for more description and intensive focus. We will be studying excellent feature writing and all of you will go on assignment and write your own.
Week 12: personal journalism: a whole other story, and yours to write!
Last week: For the final exam: a story (investigative or feature piece) of your choosing. You may use notes, internet and laptop for this particular exam (but not for the Watergate test....)
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of Introduction to News Reporting and Writing, the attentive student will feel confident and secure in whatever is reported or written. I am not a tough grader, but I am an attentive one, and students who try hard and listen well will perform beautifully in this class -- and in whatever they write in their future lives and careers. That is the purpose of teaching journalism: to help students express themselves honestly, clearly and simply not simply in class but in their lives.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Watergate test | You'll be prepared for this test. We'll have discussed it for weeks before due date. | 20 percent |
| feature article | This will be a well written piece -- could be an interview with someone you find fascinating (not Q and A) or an area or monument of Rome that intrigues you -- that requires background, description, and an intriguing style. | 25 percent |
| final | Once again -- this will be a subject of your choosing (with my consent) -- and smart students choose relatively early. You may use notes, recordings, internet, whatever to back up your story, which can either be a feature or an investigative piece. | 30 percent |
| Class Participation | | 25 percent |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AYou all know what an A means. It means you've done terrific work and -- important in journalism, essential really -- handed it in on time. It also means that you've attended class without interruption (except in case of illness) and you arrived on time.
B This means you've done good work.
CI am sure you can do better than a C. But if you do get a C it might mean you skipped class. Or your work was sloppy.
DPlease don't make me give you a D or an F.
FSee above.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____early May________
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Week 1: Terrible journalism. (I always like to start with wrongheaded, poorly reported stories because they prove useful guides on how to report well): the University of Virginia fraternity rape story as reported by (the ultimately discredited) Rolling Stone -- and certain Iraq war stories on weapons of mass destruction, as reported by, yes, the New York Times, stories that proved untrue and unfounded.
Week 2: a brief history of a free press in the US, beginning with John Peter Zenger and Ben Franklin.
Week 3: Sample writing -- from all of you, which will be read aloud in class and examined.
Week 4 and 5: Libel law. Basically, how to report and write anything you wish without being sued. All of you will be given subjects, and it will be up to you to write fairly and honestly about the subject.
Weeks 6, 7 and 8: Watergate. A scandal that was the beginning of modern American investigative journalism -- and also very nearly the end of it, thanks to an antagonistic administration headed by Richard Nixon.
There will be a test during Week 8 of the semester on Watergate.
Weeks 9, 10 and 11: Feature writing: the kind of writing that most nearly approaches fiction writing, except what is written about is factual. Feature writing is lengthier than daily journalism and allows for more description and intensive focus. We will be studying excellent feature writing and all of you will go on assignment and write your own.
Week 12: personal journalism: a whole other story, and yours to write!
Last week: For the final exam: a story (investigative or feature piece) of your choosing. You may use notes, internet and laptop for this particular exam (but not for the Watergate test....)
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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