Journalism in New Media
March 31st
– May 21st, 2014
MW 1:00-2:30 , Computer Lab
Shane Abrams
BP
Social Media Accounts:
Twitter
& Instagram: @boulderprep
Pintrest
& Tumblr: boulderprep
Course Texts
Briggs, Mark. Journalism Next: A Practical
Guide to Digital Reporting and Publishing, 2nd ed. Los Angeles:
Sage, 2013. Print.
The
following blog will also serve as a resource for disseminating materials,
notes, and texts:
Course Description
This
course is designed to build students’ language arts skills through the practice
of journalism. As a rapidly-evolving field of literacy, journalism in today’s
society navigates a variety of media, including everything from traditional
print to digital communication (e.g., Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook).
Therefore, the students in this course will engage in a thorough exploration of
the foundational elements of journalism, including ethics and techniques, as
they apply to a myriad of media.
Learning Outcomes and
Essential Questions
During
this course, students will develop the ability to…
· identify, gather, analyze, and
synthesize data and information through the journalistic process.
· utilize a variety of different
media to communicate effectively.
· sharpen their reading, writing,
speaking, and listening skills through the practice of journalism.
We will
aim to explore—perhaps even answer—some of the following questions:
· How has the technological
revolution changed the way we interact in society?
· What are the most important
aspects of sharing information in various media?
· How can contemporary media
contribute to our understanding of a person, group of people, organization, or
corporation?
· How do we all use journalism to
shape our understanding of society and the world?
Outcomes Assessment
The
following assignments will be used to assess students’ progress toward learning
outcomes: participation & attendance (graded daily); daily journal entries
and/or warm-up activities (graded twice per block); journalist assignments in
individual media; a midterm exam; and a final collaborative multimedia project.
Additionally, other artistic or academic assignments will be collected and
assessed when the instructor sees appropriate.
Classroom Policy –
Grading, Attendance, and Comportment
*** My classroom is a place for
personal growth, be it intellectual, emotional, or otherwise. I expect all
students to help me maintain an environment conducive to such growth. All
students are entitled to the right to improve and evolve, and no person should
infringe upon this right in any manner. My classroom will be a safe and
respectful environment for my students to exercise their right to learn. ***
Attendance and Breaks
Students
should attend all classes as possible. There will be only 16 sessions of Journalism
in New Media; each absence is detrimental to learning potential. I will not
deduct points for absences, whether they are excused or unexcused.
Even though I will not
lose any points for being absent, I am responsible for any assignments I miss,
including warm-ups & journals.
If a
student misses class, I advise visiting the course blog – http://boulderprepjournalism.blogspot.com/—
to see what she or he missed and what she or he needs in order to catch up. If
you know in advance that you will miss a class, please consult with me
beforehand.
Students are expected to arrive to
class on time.
This means that each student should be sitting at a desk with all necessary
materials, including any assigned reading for the class, ready to begin working
at 1:00. This does not mean walking from the Commons to the classroom at 1:00; this
does not mean arriving at 12:59 and leaving to use the bathroom until 1:05. In regards to individual breaks, you
should think of yourselves as adults during this class:
I
will leave the classroom only when I must and only when it is appropriate.
Grades
Grades
for Journalism in New Media will be calculated on a points-based scale; i.e.,
each assignment, including long-term projects and daily participation grades,
will be valued at a certain number of points possible. Over the 8-week course,
points possible will amount to roughly 1000-1200 points. At any time, a student
may request his or her grade, and I will do my best to provide a response in a
timely fashion.
Extra
credit will not be provided, barring
unforeseen, extenuating circumstances; therefore, students are expected to
complete each and every assignment to the best of their respective abilities.
Opportunity for success will not be withheld: each student will have the chance
to excel, in terms of grades and
personal
growth.
However, the
burden lies on me to optimize these opportunities.
Course Specific Grades:
Daily participation – 10 pts. / day
Daily warm-ups – 160 pts.
General Assignments – 100 pts.
Journalist Assignments – 50 pts. each ( 200
pts.
total)
Midterm
– 200 pts.
Final project – 300 pts.
* see particular assignment sheets for specific breakdown and
expectations
Miscellaneous
Academic
Honesty
Journalism
is, even more than most other fields, a world bound by proper ethics.
Therefore, integrity is paramount in and around this classroom.
Plagiarism
and cheating, whether intentional or unintentional, shall not be tolerated.
Every student is expected to follow any and all codes of academic honesty
endorsed by Boulder Preparatory High School.
Electronic
Devices
In order
to contribute to a classroom environment which respects everyone’s educational
opportunities, students are asked to refrain from the use of cell phones and
other unnecessary and/or distracting devices when it is inappropriate. However,
since this class will deal with many technological media accessible from your
own device, they will be permitted when appropriate. DO NOT ABUSE THIS PRIVILEGE. Devices that seem to be distracting
any student will be impounded for the remainder of the period.
Materials Needed
Please
bring these things to class every day:
Writing materials
(pen/pencil, paper) Course
texts (handouts, assignments, etc.)
Binder,
folder, or other organizational system for hand-out readings
Approximate Schedule of
Study and Curriculum
This
schedule is a rough estimate and is subject to change.
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Week one (3/31 - 4/4) –
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Introduction
to Journalistic Practices and Principles
Overview
of Contemporary Media
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Week two (4/7 - 4/11) –
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Reporting
(Research, Analysis, Fact-Checking)
Writing
in Journalistic Style
Journalist Assignment #1 due 4/10
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Week three (4/14 - 4/18) –
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Building
Readership and Best Practices
Editorial and Persuasive Style
Journalist Assignment #2 due 4/17
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Week four (4/21 - 4/25) –
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Optimizing
Digital Media
Midterm Review due 4/21
Midterm Exam on 4/23
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Week five (4/28 - 5/2) –
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Optimizing
Digital Media
Journalist Assignment #3 due 4/30
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Week six (5/5 - 5/9) –
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Unwritten
Journalism: Photojournalism, Radio & Podcasts
Journalist Assignment #4 due 5/7
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Week seven (5/12 - 5/16) –
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Integrating
Myriad Media
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Week eight (5/19 - 5/23) –
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Integrating
Myriad Media
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Miscellaneous
I reserve
the right to amend or alter this syllabus; please note that any changes are
made in an effort to create the best possible academic environment. I will
notify students of any such changes as promptly as possible.
I
wholeheartedly welcome feedback. Please do not hesitate to provide response to
my teaching practices, assignments, etc.—but please provide this feedback while
class is not in session.
[Please complete and return
this section.]
During
the course of this block, I hope to:
|
Ex.: earn an 85 or higher in this course.
attend every one of my
classes.
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Identify at least two concrete, measurable academic goals.
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Ex.: become a more critical reader.
be a more supportive sister.
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Identify at least two abstract, subjective, and/or personal goals.
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I think
my biggest asset as a student is:
I believe
my greatest struggle as a student is:
I do best
on assignments which:
Which of
the following social media do you/have you ever participated in?
Facebook Pinterest Google Plus Foursquare Tumblr Flickr Twitter
Blogger Instagram Flickr (Other:
______________________________________)
I,
_______________________________, hereby acknowledge that I have received and
reviewed this
(print
name)
syllabus.
Any questions or concerns that have arisen have been addressed adequately.
I
recognize that I am a student: I am capable of anything I encounter in this
course, though it may be challenging—and it should be challenging. I will not
state that I “can’t” do something, but that I “can’t yet.” I will ask for help
when I need it, whether assistance is from Shane, from my peers, or from
another responsible individual.
I will
contribute to a classroom environment which is healthy, fun, welcoming,
intellectual, emotional, and safe, among other things.
I will
read things all the way through before signing them; if not, I will give Shane
a candy bar of his choosing.
I will
respect everyone’s educational opportunities; I will respect our building; I
will respect my peers’ and instructors’ belongings; I will respect everyone’s
right to make amends.
I will be
the best person—intellectually, socially, and otherwise—that I can be.
_____________________________________ __________________
(signature) (date)
