Benedictine University/Springfield College
Spring Semester 2009
www.sci.edu/faculty/ellertsen/com209syllabus.html
A saying at the St. Petersburg Times requires reporters to "get the name of the dog, the brand of the beer, the color and make of the sports car." A man ties a bowling ball to the neck of a fluffy, white, three-legged dog and throws the dog into Tampa Bay. The mutt is rescued and, eventually, adopted. I can't explain why, but the story is incomplete, and barely satisfying, without the name of the dog. Was its name Sid or Nancy, Butch or Fluffy, Aries or Ariel? The name of the dog makes the story real. -- Roy Peter Clark
Communications 209 (formerly English 215) meets from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday (TR) in the Computer Lab in SCI's Dawson Hall (D-22). Instructor is Pete Ellertsen, 211 Beata Hall, telephone 525-1420x519. e-mail: pellertsen@sci.edu. Office hours TBA. Home: 545 Feldkamp, Springfield, IL 62704. tel. 793-2587.
I. Course Description.
Course Title: Newswriting-Reporting
Course Number: COMM 209
Credits: 3.00
Description
Principles and practice in gathering and writing news as well as preparing copy for publication. Fall.
Prerequisites
RHET 103 or HNRS 190
Communications 209 (basic newswriting) is the second
of two writing- and editing-intensive courses designed
to give mass communications majors a foundation in the
skills required of professional writers seeking
entry-level employment as journalists. Non-majors are
encouraged to take COMM 209 as an elective if they
have: (1) strong writing skills, including the ability
to produce clean (i.e. gramatically correct) copy on
deadline; (2) a basic working knowledge of the
Associated Press Stylebook; and (3) a serious interest
in improving their writing skills by frequent
practice. Students who do not meet these qualifictions
may find other electives more congenial, but help is
available in the SC/BU learning center for students
who are willing to put in the extra effort required to
overcome deficiencies in their writing and editing
skills.
II. Textbooks. 1. "Inside Reporting" by Tim Harrower. Since the edition changed this year, I will teach out of both the first and second editions; you may use either. 2. "The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual." 3. Readings on the World Wide Web as indicated below or in the class weblog at
III. Mission Statements.
The mission of Springfield College in Illinois is to provide students the best liberal arts education in the Ursuline tradition of a nurturing faith-based environment. We prepare students for a life of learning, leadership and service in a diverse world.
Mission statement of Benedictine University. Benedictine dedicates itself to the education for the undergraduate and graduated students from diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As academic community committed to liberal arts and professional education distinguished and guided by its Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine heritage - the University prepares its students for a lifetime as active, informed and responsible citizens and leaders in the world Community.
IV. Goals, objectives and outcomes
On completion of the course, students will be able to:
• Define what constitutes news and how news stories differ from features and opinion pieces; Explain and apply the principles of journalistic ethics, professional courtesy and taste to the gathering of information and writing of news stories. List and explain the basic tenets of media law including libel and defenses of libel, and invasion of the right of privacy.
• Effectively display research, note-taking, and interviewing skills to gather and write news stories on deadline; demonstrate knowledge of Associated Press stylebook rules.
• Construct concise, complete, balanced, readable and accurate news stories under deadline pressure that communicate information clearly using inverted pyramid structure and other organizing principles.
• Write effective ledes, and organize a variety of types of news stories, including advances, speeches, meetings, crime, fires and accidents, obituaries, weather, briefs and news feature or "human interest" stories.
• Explain and apply the principles of journalistic ethics, professional courtesy and taste to the gathering of information and writing of news stories. List and explain the basic tenets of media law including libel and defenses of libel, and invasion of the right of privacy.
The following Common Student Learning Objectives (CSLOs) adopted Dec. 9, 2004, are addressed:
• Content Knowledge (Lifelong Learning) CK-1. Know and apply the central concepts of the subject matter.
• Communication Skills (Lifelong Learning and Leadership) CS-1. Communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Problem Solving Skills (Lifelong Learning and Leadership) PS-2. Seek information and develop an in-depth knowledge base, grounded in research.
• Social Responsibility (Service and Leadership) SR-2 Make ethical and informed decisions
V. Teaching Methods. Peer work, small group and whole classroom discussion (including participation in discussion on The Mackerel Wrapper, pre-writing, drafting and editing exercises; conferencing as appropriate; and intervention in student writing processes.
VI. Course Requirements.
A. Attendance Policy. Attendance is mandatory. To avoid class disruption, students in COM 209 must be on time. If a student misses class, is the student's responsibility to get class notes, assignments, etc., from classmates. Missed in-class work, by its very nature, cannot be made up. Absences will hurt your grade.
B. Reading Assignments. Please see the Tentative Calendar below.
C. Written Assignments.
• You will do frequent in-class writing exercises from fact sheets which will be supplied by the instructor. Count on 1-2 per week. They must be written on deadline and completed by the end of that class period.
• You will be required to cover at least three live events out of class. I will suggest local government meetings, legislative hearings, political rallies, news conferences and other news events in the community.
• Writing exercises, both in- and out-of-class, will be assigned without notice. (That's how news happens -- without notice. Wrecks and fires are not scheduled.) Missed assignments cannot be made up.
• You are required to post journal observations on the newspaper or broadcast news site you monitor on a weekly basis.
• Your 750-word news feature story is due the week of April 15.
• Both the midterm and final exam will be treated as deadline writing assignments in which accuracy, clarity and your ability to produce "clean copy" count toward your grade.
If you must be absent for good cause, I will whenever possible try to give you an opportunity to make up the work. But on some assignments, I simply will be unable to do so. especially if they involve "spot" news that cannot be repeated, e.g. a shooting or legislative debate. Absences will hurt your grade.
VII. Means of Evaluation. Your final grade will be based on assignments weighted as follows: (A) class discussion and journals posted to the Mackerel Wrapper blog and/or the class discussion board monitoring a daily newspaper or broadcast news on the World Wide Web, worth 25 percent of the total grade; (B) in- and out-of-class written exercises, worth 25 percent of the total; (C) at least three news-feature stories based on live interviews conducted outside class, worth 25 percent; and (D) quizzes and tests including the midterm and the final exam, worth 25 percent.
Grading scale, A = 90-100. B = 80-89. C = 70-79. D = 60-69. F = 0-59. Please note, The grade of "E" has been changed to "F." You don't want either.
Note to students. Be sure to keep copies of your written work for your senior portfolio.
Academic Integrity Statement
Academic and professional environments require honesty and integrity, and these qualities are expected of every student at Springfield College-Benedictine University. In accordance with such expectations, academic integrity requires that you credit others for their ideas. Plagiarism, whether intentional or not, is a grievous offense. Any time you use words or ideas that are not your own, you must give credit to the author, whether or not you are quoting directly from that author. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism.
Any incident of plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty may result in serious consequences. Penalties for academic dishonesty vary depending on the severity or extent of the problem but are always serious.
The following are consequences you may face for academic dishonesty,
• a failing grade or “zero” for the assignment;
• dismissal from and a failing grade for the course; or
• dismissal from the Institution.
Please refer to the Springfield College Benedictine University Catalog or the Student Handbook for a complete discussion of the Academic Integrity policy.
Grade Appeal Process. According to the Springfield College Catalog, grade appeals must be initiated 90 days prior to the end of one semester after the course in question has been completed. The process for appealing a grade is outlined below.
First, contact the Instructor.
1. A student must appeal to his/her instructor in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and provide specific reasons why his/her grade should be changed.
2. The instructor must respond to the student in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and provide a copy to the division chair. Second, contact the Division Chair.
3. If the student wishes, he/she may then appeal to the division chair in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and provide specific reasons why his/her grade should be changed without the instructor’s permission. The student should understand that overwhelming evidence must be presented to the division chair to prove that the current grade is incorrect.
4. The division chair must respond to the student in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and provide a copy to the academic dean. Lastly, contact the Academic Dean.
5. If the student wishes, he/she may appeal to the academic dean in writing (e- mail is acceptable) and provide specific reasons why his/her grade should be changed without the instructor’s or the division chair’s permission. The student should understand that overwhelming evidence must be presented to the academic dean to prove the grade is incorrect.
6. The academic dean must respond to the student in writing (e-mail is acceptable). The academic dean’s decision is final.
Add/Drop Dates
Jan. 25 - Last day to add courses
Jan. 25 - Last day to drop a course without a W (4,00 p.m.)
April 5 - Last day to drop courses
Incomplete Request. To qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum of 75% of the course work must be completed with a passing grade, and a student must submit a completed Request for an Incomplete form to the Registrar’s Office. The form must be completed by both student and instructor, but it is the student’s responsibility (not the instructor’s) to initiate this process and obtain the necessary signatures.
VIII. Course Outline and Calendar. The course outline is as follows:
A. Professional news gathering
1. Definition of news
2. Objectivity in news reporting
3. Defamation (libel), privacy invasion and the law
4. Canons of professional ethics
B. News gathering
1. Interviewing
2. Data base and public records research
3. Note taking and quotation
4. Standards of accuracy
C. News writing
1. Function of the lede and nut graf
2. Patterns of organization
3. Types of hard news stories
4. Feature writing
D. News editing
1. AP style
2. handling quotations
The schedule of assignments posted below is tentative. Students who miss class are responsible for keeping up with rescheduled assignments.
IX. Americans with Disabilities Act. Benedictine University at Springfield College in Illinois provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in educational programs, actives and services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should contact the Director of the Resource Center as early as possible.
If documentation of the disability (either learning or physical) is not already on file, it may be requested. Once on file, an individual student’s disability documentation is shared only at that individual’s request and solely with the parties whom the student wishes it shared. Requests are kept confidential and may be made by emailing jharris@sci.edu or by calling 217-525-1420, ext. 306.
X. Assessment. Goals, objectives, and learning outcomes to be assessed will be stated in the Learning Contract. Primary means of assessment will be self-reflective essays and examination of any portfolio artifacts.
XI. Illinois Articulation Initiative. Goals and objectives of Springfield College course COM 209 meet the criteria of of iTransfer Course MC 919: Basic News Writing (3 semester credits): "Introduction to news writing including, the techniques of news gathering, reporting, and interviewing; the use of library and online database research methods; and other related skills. Students write basic stories under real time constraints." Benedictine University course COMM 209 incorporates the same goals and objectives.
Tentative Calendar
Please note that in-class exercises and discussion, both oral and written, will be assigned without prior notice. In-class work, by its very nature, cannot be made up. Nor do news events repeat themselves. You cannot ask a fire, flood or murder trial to go back and do it again because you slept late that day.
Week 1. Getting started. I will assign your first story, due next week. It is (appropriately enough) a back-to-school story. In class we will go over the skills you will exercise in reporting and writing the story: (1) taking notes and reproduding the spoken word in writing; (2) journalistic conventions of sentence structure, paragraphing and quotation; and (3) using the AP Stylebook.
Week 2. Read Harrower, preface, acknowledgements, "About this book" and Chapter 1 "The story of journalism." We will begin posting comments to The Mackerel Wrapper. Back-to school story is due.
Week 3. Read Harrower, Chapter 2 "How newsrooms work." Deadline writing exercises and on-line discussion in The Mackerel Wrapper.
Week 4. Read Harrower, Chapter 3 "Newswriting basics." Deadline writing exercises and on-line discussion in The Mackerel Wrapper.
Week 5. We will re-read Harrower, Chapter 3 "Newswriting basics." This stuff is important. That's why we're taking two weeks with it so we can get it right. Deadline writing exercises and on-line discussion in The Mackerel Wrapper.
Week 6. Read Harrower, Chapter 4 "Reporting basics." Deadline writing exercises and on-line discussion in The Mackerel Wrapper.
Week 7. We will re-read Harrower, Chapter 4 "Reporting basics." This stuff is important, too. Every single word you write has to be backed up with reporting. Always. That's why we're taking two weeks with this chapter so we can get it right. Deadline writing exercises and on-line discussion in The Mackerel Wrapper.
Week 8. Read Harrower, Chapter 5 "Covering the news." Deadline writing exercises and on-line discussion in The Mackerel Wrapper.
Week 9. Read Harrower, Chapter 6 "Beyond breaking news." Deadline writing exercises and on-line discussion in The Mackerel Wrapper.
Week 10. Read Harrower, Chapter 7 "Law and ethics." Deadline writing exercises and on-line discussion in The Mackerel Wrapper.
Week 11. Read Harrower, Chapter 8 "Online reporting." Deadline writing exercises and on-line discussion in The Mackerel Wrapper.
Week 12. Read Harrower, Chapter 9 "Broadcast Journalism." Deadline writing exercises and on-line discussion in The Mackerel Wrapper.
Week 13. Read Harrower, Chapter 10 "Public Relations." Deadline writing exercises and on-line discussion in The Mackerel Wrapper.
Week 14. Review.
PLEASE NOTE: April 7 is Assessment Day. Mandatory testing for all sophomores. THIS IS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT.
Final exam schedule TBA
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