Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "JRN 221-2"
COURSE NAME: "Writing for the Media"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Judy Bachrach
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
AIMS:
This course is an introduction to journalistic writing and news gathering. You will learn the structure and style for news, investigative, and feature stories, interviewing techniques for quotation and attribution, as well as the basics of communications law, especially libel (and how to avoid it!). We will also consider some underlying legal, political and philosophical issues that underlie journalism in all its forms.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course will emphasize real world reporting and writing. You will be assigned an investigative story, which will require you to interview a number of people about a current issue. You will also write profiles, which will require you to conduct an in depth interview of a person, important issue, or academic department. But above all, you will learn to write: clearly, concisely, intelligently, and ON DEADLINE.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

This course will give you the basic skills needed to report and write news and feature stories in a clear and effective way that takes into account your responsibility as a reporter.

KEY SKILLS TAUGHT:

-Identify News

-Why the US is the best country in which to be a journalist (and what’s wrong with other countries when it comes to free speech?)

-How to Interview

-How to Structure a News Story

-What constitutes Ethics in journalism? (Ie. Is it ok to learn how to read other people’s memos upside down? Answer: ABSOLUTELY yes, it’s okay to read another person’s memo upside down. Is it ok to plagiarize? Never!)

- Libel law – How not to get sued – ever!

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATIONS	This means coming to class is a must. Journalists have deadlines, and about the second most important thing you can do as a journalist (the first is telling or writing the truth as you know it) is showing up. If you are sick, a note from health provider is necessary.	20 PERCENT
Investigative story	Don't worry: this story will take time and I will be your guide every step of the way. Theoretically all journalism is investigative, meaning you do your research, interviews -- carefully. You will pair up with someone else in the class, so this is teamwork as well.	20 PERCENT
Profile story	Once again, this profile will take some time. It will teach you how to interview, how to write, and how to pull facts together.	20 PERCENT
Other assignments, news quizzes	In order to understand journalism you have to read (and watch or listen to) journalists and their stories. We will be doing this steadily. Class participation, as mentioned, a must.	20 PERCENT
Final Exam	Yes, a final exam is necessary, but the most important thing is the writing. This is why the final will be entirely writing. Please bring your laptops for exam. In fact bring your laptops to every class! I am the professor who loves laptops.	20 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 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: More than TWO unexcused absences makes “B” your maximum grade. This policy should cover most emergencies during the semester – please contact me via e-mail or on my cell phone if you will be out. Journalism is a deadline field. If you find you will be missing more classes due, say to illness, you must contact me during the emergency and outline your plans for keeping up. I will also expect a doctor’s note. It is not acceptable to miss additional classes and hand in work at the end of the semester. Please be on time, I will take attendance each class and if you are late it’s your responsibility to tell me that you’re present.

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

CLASS SCHEDULE and ASSIGNMENTS

Weeks 1 and 2
Course Introduction : Take a stab, Interview the Professor, TRY TO Catch Her Lies!!!! This will be an interview your professor in which you can ask any question you like. But you have to weigh her replies and try to find out where and when she’s lying – and about what she’s lying. Part of being a journalist is instinct. It is important to hone that instinct. Intro to the First Amendment: Freedom of Speech and its History in the US; Freedom of Speech in Italy, France, the UK, Russia, China.

Reading: Rich, Chap. 1

Basic news story and story ideas:. Libel, Slander, Differences and Similarities. What you can and cannot write. What you can and cannot say. NY Times Vs Sullivan. Roman Polanski vs. Vanity Fair. The UK vs the US: why it’s important to publish mainly in America.. Defamation in Italy: a scary subject!

Analysis of reaction story
Reading: Rich, Chap. 2 and 3

Week 2 and 3
Sources and interviewing techniques
Hand in an idea for an investigative piece. 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 and 4
Story structure
Reading: Rich, Chap. 8

Reaction story, draft 1, due

Week 4
Storytelling and features

Reading: Rich, Chap. 9

Accuracy and media law
Reading: Rich Chap. 13

Week 5
Ethics: Rupert Murdoch; Phone-hacking; Pretexting.
Reading: Rich, Chap. 14

Week 6
Lab
Reaction story, final draft, due

Global journalism
Reading: Rich, Chap. 16

Week 7
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 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
Web journalism
Reading: Rich, Chap. 12

Week 9
Lab
Profile assignment, draft 1, due [NO EXCEPTIONS]

Week 10
Beat reporting
Reading: Rich, Chap. 17

Government/Crime stories
Reading: Rich, Chap. 19 and 20

Week 11
Business News

Outside Reporting Assignment

Week 12
Lab
Profile

Profile assignment, final draft, due [NO EXCEPTIONS]

Week 13
Broadcast writing
Reading: Rich, Chap. 11

Public Relations
Reading: Rich, Chap. 10

Week 14
Media jobs, internships and resumes
Reading: Rich, Chap. 23

Review