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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "DJRN 327"
COURSE NAME: "Opinion Writing"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Judy Bachrach
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11:30-12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An opinion piece is everything solid journalism requires from any other form of reporting: good investigative skills, sharp judgment, a firm, eloquent writing style, a clear presentation of hard, grounded facts, and excellent grammar. It is, however, different from classical journalism. The course will investigate the specificity of opinion writing within the context of journalism and look into the various forms that opinion pieces take: political stances, restaurant-theater-book- music or TV reviews, and critiques (pro and con) of medical, governmental or financial systems.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
I know, I know: this is a political era, and you have lots of opinions on everyone and everything from Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin; from Obamacare to football players who kneel during the National Anthem. And -- of course -- sexual harassment -- in universities, on the job, everywhere in fact.
Don't worry. You'll be able to write about all of it, and more. (the more being also: restaurant reviews, film reviews, tv shows etc). I don't care what your opinion is, as long as it is well expressed, clear and concise.
The word "I" is forbidden generally in opinion pieces, so be careful about that. You can express a lucid and sharp opinion without the "I" and I shall teach you how.
Opinion pieces will be read aloud so that both the ear and the eye can examine your work. It really does help when you hear your own work spoken aloud. I think we will start with issues concerning sexual harassment in the workplace, because that seems to be an important topic right now.
  But then we will go on from there to other issues on which I am certain you all hold strong opinions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the spring semester, I believe anyone who signs up for the opinion writing course and listens closely will be a far better writer (and thinker...) than before. That's something I can pretty well promise the diligent student. It does mean, however, coming to class, and coming in on time.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
weekly assignmentsthe pieces will be short (maybe 500-600 words) but to the point, clear, and accurate. Think of writing as a muscle. The more you flex and work it, the better and stronger it becomes.60 percent
final (yet another opinion piece, this one assigned by me)By the final, you will all be pros at writing your opinions. I look forward to them.20 percent
class participationan important 20 percent. Class participation -- the expression of verbal (as well as written) opinions -- is vital here.20 percent

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AYou all know what an A means. I love to give them out.
BB means you've done the work and done it pretty well.
CPlease. I hate doling out C's. It means there have been unexcused absences or sloppy work.
DNever gave a D in my life, never wanted to, never needed to. Same goes for F>
Fsee above.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Come to class: it's vital to both your grade and to the interest and excitement generated in the class and by the class. If you're sick, a doctor's certificate is necessary.

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________
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.
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.

SCHEDULE

Each week there will be another issue on which you will express opinions. But because we deal with the news, those issues will definitely pop up last minute.

Here however are some of the obvious subjects on which you will write:

Donald Trump: can he sue an author for libel? Should he sue?

sexual harassment

the latest movies

restaurants you have patronized

Italian politicians

strikes in Rome: too many? Not enough?

Vladimir Putin