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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "JRN 330"
COURSE NAME: "Newswriting and Copy Editing"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Rosamaria Mancini
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above, DJRN 221 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class is designed to help you become a careful editor of your own writing and that of others. Included will be consideration of news judgment, law and ethics, AP style, grammar, spelling, punctuation and word usage.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This class will focus on those shared skills: copy editing, grammar, style, organization, wordiness, finding holes, accuracy. We also will learn about headline writing, caption writing, and basic design, all elements a reporter or writer need to be aware of.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course is designed to help you:
• Prepare to edit copy in future jobs
• Learn/relearn grammar rules
• Have a strong command of the AP Stylebook
• Write effective headlines/cutlines
• Understand basic layout strategies
• Be proficient in finding and correcting various kinds of errors
• Write concisely and clearly
• Improve your own writing skills
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Creative Editing | Dorothy L. Bowles and Diane Borden | Wadsworth Publishing | 1439082693 | | | | | |
| Associated Press Stylebook | Associated Press | Associated Press | 9780917360558 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Assignments/Projects: | It's not enough to talk about editing, i.e. you must edit. You learn editing by going through the process. Learning now gives you a leg up on those who don't. You will have weekly editing and style assignments - some will be due in class and you must have the assignment completed and others will given in class and you will work on a deadline. All communication jobs meet deadlines and you must meet them as well. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS.
Included in these assignments is the “Goof of week.” The goofs that you find must come from reading a publication and must be factual, grammatical or AP style (no typesetting errors, no "this reads funny" or "this is boring" or "there is too much white space"; must use at least 3 different publications (must be from an EDITED source) (no ads, no Web site articles that aren't recognized newspapers/media outlets, no newsletters, no non-newspaper blog sites, no weekly newspapers); note goof on SEPARATE sheet of paper from original goof. (Do NOT mark on goof).
| 35 percent |
| Weekly Quizzes | You will use your AP Stylebook, class notes. You get the first 15 minutes only. No makeups given, if you miss the quiz you get a “O” for the assignment. | 20 percent |
| Exams | You will have a mid-term and final that will include material from the in-class lectures and assignments. | 35 percent |
| Attendance/Participation | Get Involved. Come to class. More than 3 absences makes your maximum grade a B. Also realize you bring perspective on issues that otherwise might not be considered. | 10 percent |
-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 cours
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:
See Assessment Method
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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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Class Schedule
Week 1
Copy Editor's Role
Week 2/Week 3
Using correct grammar and punctuation
Week 4
Consistent Style and Correct Words
Week 5
Checking Facts
Week 6
Editing Stories
Week 7
Midterm Prep & Midterm
Legal Concerns
Week 8
Legal Concerns
Week 9
Editing and Ethics
Week 10
Typography
Week 11
Writing Headlines
Week 12
Editing Pictures and Infographics
Week 13
Design & Layout
Week 14
Review for Final
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