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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 221-2"
COURSE NAME: "Writing Across the Media"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Elizabeth Macias Gutierrez
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course introduces students to the various kinds of writing they will encounter in the media professions and in digital multimedia production, and prepares them for more advanced media courses in the Communications and Media Studies program. Students will also be introduced to basic legal and ethical issues, such as libel, copyright, privacy. Activities include writing for online media, press releases, strategic campaigns, and short scripts for visual and audio media as well as exercises to pitch their ideas. They will also explore issues concerning style, communicability, and effective storytelling.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
All students will be required to create an e-portfolio using WordPress. This is where students will post and share their work from class assignments. Throughout the course students will be required to maintain a blog, with at least one post a week. There will be additional writing activities, both inside and outside of class, consisting of various different projects, including a press release, media kit, and short scripts (audio and visual) for a public service announcement and podcast. This course will include guest lectures from different media specialists.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

·      Learn legal and ethical principles of writing for the media

·      Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of writing for various media professions

·      Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for a variety of communications professions

·      Apply tools and technologies appropriate for different communications professions

·      Critically assess institutional and individual media practices

·      Understand how to promote and share written works online

·      Conceive, draft, edit and finalize a basic script for visual and audio media

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The Basics of Media Writing: A Strategic ApproachScott A. Kuehn, Andrew LingwallCQ Press978-1506308104  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
BlogCreate a blog based on your WAM topic with name, tagline and About Page with four blog posts (2 news, 1 review, 1 organizational profile). Wordpress site preferred.See Moodle.25%
PSAWrite a short script for a video spot, with storyboard, factsheet, and treatment, based on your WAM topic.25%
PodcastScript one podcast episode based on your WAM topic and submit with show notes and podcast treatment. Three segments included in the episode: editorial, guests interview (a scholar) and a review.25%
Press Kit Plan an event based on your WAM topic and prepare a press release, ptich letter with attachments. 15%
Attendance & ParticipationAttendance and active participation are required. Three late arrivals count as one absence. See attendance policy.10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-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 December 7.

Students will not be penalized for three absences from classes meeting twice a week.

Participation grade will be deducted by 5 points for each additional absence beyond the three absences.

Three late arrivals count as one absence. A late arrival begins after one minute of the official class time.

 


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

Our WAM course consists of 28 sessions across 14 weeks.

Moodle and MS Teams are the main platforms of the course.  


2_Intro & News Research sessions

10_Blog sessions

6_PSA sessions

6_Podcast sessions

4_Press Kit sessions

 

WAM Topic: You will pitch and write four different projects within the same umbrella topic you select for the semester. You will become an expert in the topic and experience communicating in four different media or languages.


Course material: handouts, manuals, script templates and numerous Internet resources including an ethics course are expected to be read and used. 


Please refer to our Moodle course for a detailed and bi-weekly breakdown of each session, with resources, activities and assignments and other course material.  Each in-class session requires both preparation and follow up (homework).  


A course book is not mandatory. For further reference of instructor’s classes the recommended book is: The Basics of Media Writing (A Strategic Approach), by Andrew Lingwall and Scott. A. Kuehn, 2018.  Our syllabus delineates page numbers to read. See Moodle for Google docs link.


Sessions: Each session covers a different step of your creative process. If you miss one session you miss one step, and thus are expected to catch up from the respective Moodle week. 


Prep and task work: In preparation to each project, every class session is followed up by to work at home. You are expected to complete each activity in order to move forward during class and be prepared to participate. These activities count towards the final participation grade.

 

Research activities: research is key to this course and it is expected for every project submission. The schedule signals research activities and workshops held throughout the semester.

 

Folders and bookmarks: please create both a file folder and bookmarks folder to save all the material and research for each project and throughout the course.

Office hours and contacting professor:  For any questions or comments about a session, message me on the Moodle class chat from Monday through Thursday. Questions or queries during the weekend will be resolved on Monday. For an in-person meeting, we can arrange a Teams chat on a weekday afternoon- before 3 p.m. I check my JCU email account twice a week. The best way to communicate wiht me is via Moodle, which I manage every day. 

Communication of absence or latenessIn-class attendance is mandatory unless you have Dean's Office permission to attend virtually. Please do not email me if you will be late or absent or connect virtually (in an exceptional emergency). Communicate with me in person before or after class or next session, thank you.

Electronic equipment policy- With the exception of learning accommodations or unless notified in advance for a class activity, the use of electronic equipment such as laptops, tablets, or phones is not idea during class. Please save battery and brain power.

 

Projects  are submitted via Moodle every month in the order below= 4 submissions. Late submission policy- Late submissions will incur in a penalty of 3 percentage points per calendar day. Projects will not be accepted after three days late. 

 

Blog(25%)
Week 6
Podcast(25%) Week 9
PSA(25%) Week 12
Press Kit(15%) Week 14
Participation(10%) Acitivites, participation, attendance

 

See general calendar below. For details, please see Moodle regularly. Syllabus may be subject to slight changes.

 
 

Week

 

Session

    
 
 

Topic 

 
 

In-Session

 
 

Reading

 

Out-of Session

 
 

One

 
 

1

 
 

M

Sept. 5

 
 

WAM Course

 
 

 

News curation: Knowing news sources

 

 
 

Moodle

 
 

Media bias activities

 
 

One

 
 

2

 
 

W

Sept. 7

 
 

WAM

Topic

 
 

Choosing WAM topic

News headlines

 
 

Moodle

 
 

WAM Worksheet + WAM headline

 
 

Two

 
 

3

 
 

M

Sept. 12

 
 

Newsresearch

 

 
 


Research

workshop and NEXIS


 
 

Moodle

 

 
 

Blog essentials handouts + name

 
 

Two

 
 

4

 
 

W

Sept. 14

 

 
 

BLOGidentity& audience connection

 
 

 

 

Blog essentials:

name, tagline

aboutpage/target audience



 
 

 

Chapter 9 Target Audience

pp. 297-299

 

 


 
 

Create website

 
 
 

Three

 
 

5

 
 

M

Sept. 19

 
 

BLOG ETHICS

 
 

COPYRIGHT: linking, embedding, inserting

 


 
 

Chapter8 Media Law & Ethics pp. 248 - 286

 
 

 

 

Defamation, privacy

Q&A

 

Poynter

Quiz



 
 
 

Three

 
 

6

 
 

W

Sept. 21

 

 
 

BLOG

ETHICS

 
 

 

COPYRIGHT: attribution /quoting

 

 

.

 
 


 
 


 
 
 

Four

 
 

7

 
 

M

Sept. 26

 
 

BLOG

ANATOMY

 
 

 

Blog post anatomy / Opinion/ CTAs

 

 
 

Moodle

 
 


Write blog post draft

 
 

Four

 
 

8

 

 

 
 

W

Sept. 28

 

 

 
 

BLOG

ANATOMY

 
 

Headlines / Summaries/ Leads /

 

 
 

Chapter 5 Multiplatform Story and Leads

pp. 142 - 151

 
 


 
 

Five

 
 

9

 
 

M

Oct. 3

 
 

BLOG

 
 

Workshop

 
 


 
 


Read handouts

 
 
 

Five

 
 

10

 

 
 

W

 

Oct. 5

 
 

BLOGGER

RECOMME-NDATIONS

 
 

 

 

 

TheReviewPost and Organization Profileposts



 
 


 
 


Prepare for workshop

 
 

Six

 
 

11

 
 

M

Oct. 10

 
 

BLOGGER

RECOMME-NDATIONS

 

 
 

 

The Review Post and Organization Profile WORKSHOP

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

Six

 
 

12

 
 

W

Oct. 12

 
 

BLOG FLOW & DESIGN

 
 

Writing for Credibility and Engagement

 

 
 

 

 
 

Work on blog submission

 

 
 
 

Seven

 
 

13

 
 

M

Oct. 17

 
 

PODCAST

 
 


Project & Treatment


 
 


 
 


BLOG DUE

 

 
 
 

Seven

 
 

14

 
 

W

Oct. 19

 
 

PODCAST

 
 

 

 

Searching forscholar to

interview

 

 
 

 

Research

workshop


 
 


 
 
 

Eight

 
 

15

 
 

M

Oct. 24

 
 

PODCAST

 
 

Anatomy of one episode in 3 segments & fair use

 
 




 
 



 
 

Eight

 
 

16

 
 

W

Oct. 26

 

 
 

PODCAST

 
 

Script

 
 

 

 

Chapter 4 Interviewing

pp.121- 132

 
 


 
 

Nine

 
 

17

 
 

 

M

Oct. 31

 

 
 

PODCAST

 
 

Writing for the ear

 
 

Chapter 13

 
 


 
 
 

Nine

 
 

18

 
 

W

Nov. 2

 
 

PODCAST

 
 

History or podcast/radio

 
 

Chapter 6

Radio

p. 176+Fig.6.3

 
 


 
 

Ten

 
 

19

 
 

M

Nov. 7

 
 

PSA

 
 

 

Ethos, pathos, logos persuasion /Print Ads / Aesthetics & Empathy

 
 

Chapter 11

Persuasive Writing

pp. 362- 389

 
 

PODCAST DUE

 
 

Ten

 
 

20

 
 

W

Nov. 9

 
 

PSA

 
 

Planning PSA video: the treatment

 
 

Library

Workshop

 
 

Begin filling out your factsheet

 
 

Eleven

 
 

21

 
 

M

Nov. 14

 

 
 

PSA

 
 

 

 

Factsheet


 
 

Work on treatment

 
 


 
 

Eleven

 
 

22

 
 

W
Nov. 16

 
 

PSA

 
 

Script

 
 

Work on script

 
 


 
 

Twelve

 
 

23

 
 

M

Nov. 21

 

 
 

PSA

 
 

Storyboard


 
 

Work on storyboard

 
 


 
 

Twelve

 
 

24

 
 

W

Nov. 23

 

 
 

PSA

 
 

Videos Screenings

 
 

 

 
 


 
 

Thirteen

 
 

25

 
 

M

Nov. 28

 
 

PRESS KIT

 
 

Intro / History

 

 
 


News Values

pp. 110–111,

116 - 117


 
 


 
 
 

Thirteen

 
 

26

 
 

W

Nov. 30

 
 

PRESS KIT

 
 

News hooks & event planning

 

 

 
 


 
 


 
 
 

Fourteen

 
 

27

 
 

M

Dec. 5

 

 
 

PRESS KIT

 

 
 

Pitch Letter & Press Release + Attachments

DOCUMENT- 

 

 
 


 
 


PSA

DUE

 


 

Fourteen

 
 

28

 
 

W

Dec. 7

 
 

PRESS KIT

 

 
 

Attachments

 

 
 

Chapter 12

Press Release

pp. 417 - 419


 
 



 
 
 

 

 
 

 

 

M

Dec. 12

noon-

2:30 p.m.

 

 
 
 


PRESS KIT DUE

 

Thank you for reading.

Have a great semester.

 

 Thank you for reading. Have a good semester.