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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 221-2"
COURSE NAME: "Writing Across the Media"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Antonio Lopez
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:
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, training film, educational film, and strategic spot. 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:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Huffington Post Complete Guide to BloggingThe editors of the Huffington Post Simon & Schuster1439105006     
An Introduction to Writing for Electronic Media: Scriptwriting Essentials Across the GenresRobert B. MusburgerFocal Press0240808525     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
BlogMaintain a personal weblog (blog) throughout the semester. This will involve creating a personal website using WordPress, which will serve as a digital portfolio for class assignments.20%
Press kitCreate a professional press kit for a band, film or book that features different types of copywriting.10%
Spot ScriptWrite a short script for a short video spot10%
Digital Storytelling ScriptWrite a proposal for a project and write a short script for a digital storytelling platform (gaming, video narration, podcast, etc.) of your choice.25%
Participation/AttendParticipation and attendance is required. More than three unexcused absences will result in an automatic loss of a letter grade.5%
Digital Portfolio 10%
Final Exam 15%

-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:
More than three unexcused absences will result in the automatic loss of a letter grade. Being late three times counts as an absence. Chronic tardiness will also impact your attendance/participation grade.
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

Week 1 Intro

·      Basic writing skills, audience and identity

·      Process of writing: researching, drafting, revising, editing

·      Style guides: What are they?

·      Legal and ethical issues: Libel, copyright/fair use/creative commons, plagiarism, privacy, censorship, social norms

Pt. 1 Internet Writing

Week 2 Blogging

·      Set-up an e-portfolio/blog

·      Identify audience and writing style

Week 2 Blogging cont.

·      Linking, sharing, RSS,

·      Headline writing, lede writing

Week 3 Other types of online writing

·      Twitter, wikis, etc.

Pt. 3 Strategic Communication

Week 4 Press Releases

·      Target audiences, refining messages

·      Press kit (for a band, film or book)

Week 5 Copywriting

·      Different kinds of copywriting (ads, nonprofits, etc.)

Pt. 2 Scripts for Electronic Media

Week 6 Intro to Scripts

·      History of scripts, script variations, media differences

·      Production for the writer

·      Picture Editing, The Crew-where do writers fit

Week 7 Spots

·      What Makes a Spot

·      Public Service Announcements

·      Promotional Announcements

·      Commercials Banners

Week 8 News

·      Differences between media Print Radio TV Internet Script formats Sports, Weather

Week 9 Documentary

·      Definition Short Form Long Form Docudrama

Week 10 Corporate & Educational

·      Internal Training Communication

·      External Public relations Commercials

·      Primary Secondary Advanced Using the web

Week 11 Games and Convergence Media

·      Classifications

·      Animations (Basics Shorts Features Two-dimensional Three-dimensional)

Week 12 Audio scripts/Drama

·      Basics of dramatic writing, TV Soaps

·      Features Motion Pictures Film

Week 13 Drama cont.

Week 14 Wrap-up