CLASS SCHEDULE and ASSIGNMENTS
Week 1
16, 18 January
Course Introduction
Reading: Rich, Chap. 1
Basic news story and story ideas
Reaction Story Assignment
Analysis of reaction story
Reading: Rich, Chap. 2 and 3
Week 2
23, 25 January
Sources and interviewing techniques
Hand in three ideas for reaction stories. Please write a few paragraphs describing the news issue, why it is newsworthy and what angles you would pursue.
Reading: Rich, Chap. 4 and 5
Leads and nut graphs
Clip a hard news lead and an anecdotal lead.
Reading: Rich, Chap. 6 and 7
Week 3
30 January, 1, 3 February
Story structure
Reading: Rich, Chap. 8
Reaction story, draft 1, due
Week 4
6, 8 February
Storytelling and features
Reading: Rich, Chap. 9
Accuracy and media law
Reading: Rich Chap. 13
Week 5
13, 15 February
Ethics
Reading: Rich, Chap. 14
Multicultural sensitivity
Reading: Rich, Chap. 15
Week 6
20, 22 February
Lab
Reaction story, final draft, due
Global journalism
Reading: Rich, Chap. 16
Week 7
26, 28 Febraury
Profiles
Profile assignment
Analysis of a profile
Reading: Rich, Chap. 22
Prepare two ideas for a profile. Please write a few paragraphs describing why the person or club is interesting and what would be your news peg. Be ready to discuss in class, a decision on your subject will be made today. Clip a profile from a newspaper or magazine.
Week 8
5, 7, 9 March
Web journalism
Reading: Rich, Chap. 12
Speeches, news conferences and meetings
Clip a story about a speech or meeting.
Reading: Rich, Chap. 18
Week 9
12, 14 March
Lab
Profile assignment, draft 1, due [NO EXCEPTIONS]
Week 10
26, 28 March
Beat reporting
Reading: Rich, Chap. 17
Government/Crime stories
Reading: Rich, Chap. 19 and 20
Week 11
2,4 April
Business News
Reading: AP Stylebook
Outside Reporting Assignment
Week 12
11 April
Lab
Profile assignment, final draft, due [NO EXCEPTIONS]
Week 13
16, 18 April
Broadcast writing
Reading: Rich, Chap. 11
Public Relations
Reading: Rich, Chap. 10
Week 14
23 April
Media jobs, internships and resumes
Reading: Rich, Chap. 23