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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "DJRN 221-2"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to News Reporting and Writing"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Farian Sabahi
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
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.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course introduces writing and reporting techniques for the mass media.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course focuses on the essential elements of writing for print and online media. The course also covers media criticism, ethics in media, and the formats and styles of public relations.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The Online Journalism Handbook Skills to Survive and Thrive in the Digital AgePaul Bradshaw Taylor & Francis9781138791565 The Online Journalism Handbook Skills to Survive and Thrive in the Digital Age Paul Bradshaw Taylor & Francis 9781138791565
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-Term (17 Oct)Assessment of news story coverage and draft30%
Attendance & Participation in NewsroomActive participation and attendance is crucial for your work progress. Three late arrivals count as an absence. Three unexcused absences result in the loss of a letter grade.15%
Final ( 7 Dec)production of a news story in written form, audio or video 30%
Final (12 Dec) written exam on “The online Journalism Handbook” 25%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A:Work 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.
B:This 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.
C:This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D:This 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.
F:This 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 14.

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

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

Three late arrivals (or early dismisslas) count as one absence. 

Please refer to the JCU Student Handbook and Dean of Students communication emails for updates on COVID-19 protocol.

 

 
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

SCHEDULE (tentative)

 

Our journalism experience consists of 28 sessions across 14 weeks. It will be structured through lectures, invited speakers, as well as the productions of written articles, audios, and videos. The main themes will be the upcoming Italian elections (25 September) seen through the lenses of foreign correspondents based in Rome, the energy crisis due to the war in Ukraine, as well as fashion, sports, pop culture, food and wine in Italy. This tentative schedule will be updated week by week, depending on the availability of the invited speakers. Besides those included in this schedule, we’ll also have: a war correspondent, a famous chef (we’ll most probably go to his restaurant in Rome, he will be available for interviews), a journalist specialised in food and wine, a journalist specialised in fashion. Students are strongly encouraged to come to class and to regularly read the news. Lectures refer to our Journalism Handbook.

 

Week 1

5 Sept. Presentation of the course.

7 Sept. Discussion of news and lecture.

Week 2

12 Sept. Invited guest: Stefano Leszczynski, Vatican Radio: its story and reporting.

14 Sept. Discussion of news and lecture.

16 Sept. (make-up Friday) Discussion of news and lecture.

Week 3

19 Sept. Discussion of news and lecture.

21 Sept. Discussion of news and lecture.

Week 4

26 Sept. Discussion of news and lecture.

28 Sept. Invited guest: Trissa Thomas, Associated Press: the coverage of Italian elections by a foreign correspondent.

Week 5

3 Oct. Working on articles, audios and videos to be submitted for mid-term exam.

5 Oct. Working on articles, audios and videos to be submitted for mid-term exam.

Week 6

10 Oct. Working on articles, audios and videos to be submitted for mid-term exam.

12 Oct. Working on articles, audios and videos to be submitted for mid-term exam.

Week 7

17 Oct. Mid-term: presentation of students’ works.

Week 8

26 Oct. Lecture.

Week 9

31 Oct. Discussion of news and lecture.

2 Nov. Discussion of news and lecture.

4 Nov. (make-up Friday): coverage of the anniversary of the takeover of US hostages in Iran (1979).

Week 10

7 Nov. Discussion of news and lecture.

9 Nov. Discussion of news and lecture.

Week 11

14 Nov. Discussion of news and lecture.

16 Nov. Discussion of news and lecture.

Week 12

21 Nov. Working on articles, audios and videos to be submitted for final exam.

23 Nov. Working on articles, audios and videos to be submitted for final exam.

Week 13

28 Nov. Working on articles, audios and videos to be submitted for final exam.

30 Nov. Working on articles, audios and videos to be submitted for final exam.

Week 14

5 Dec. Working on articles, audios and videos to be submitted for final exam.

7 Dec. Last class. Submission of your final articles, audios and videos.