JOU 2100 - Journalistic Writing and Reporting

Communications Department

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2006 (370)

Requisites

Prerequisite ENC 1101 or
Prerequisite ENC 1101H or
Prerequisite IDS 1101H

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the profession of journalism and to the theory and practice of writing news. Students are given practical experience in gathering news and in writing and copyreading both news and feature stories. Student needs and demand determine the emphasis on grammar and usage. (Note: This course has a substantial writing requirement.)

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will demonstrate knowledge of basic news style, including the importance of objectivity, for a hard news story by:
    1. completing appropriate exercises as assigned.
    2. writing effective and appropriate leads for a variety of stories.
    3. writing effective and well-organized bodies for a variety of stories.
  2. The student will demonstrate knowledge of basic news style including, the importance of objectivity, for an interview by:
    1. completing appropriate exercises as assigned.
    2. writing an original interview story.
  3. The student will demonstrate knowledge of basic news style, including the importance of objectivity, for a feature story by:
    1. completing appropriate exercises as assigned.
    2. writing a feature story.
  4. The student will demonstrate knowledge of copy editing skills by:
    1. using the correct format for copy preparation.
    2. using copyreading symbols accurately in making corrections on poorly executed stories.
    3. using copyreading symbols correctly in copy editing tests.
  5. The student will demonstrate knowledge of Standard English usage as required by the Associated Press Stylebook for journalistic writing by:
    1. using correct spelling in his/her work.
    2. using correct punctuation in his/her work.
    3. using correct capitalization in his/her work.
    4. using correct grammar in his/her work.
  6. The student will demonstrate knowledge of appropriate news coverage of current events by:
    1. completing pop quizzes on the content of the daily newspaper.
    2. completing oral reports on the content of the daily newspaper.
  7. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the importance of diversity in news gathering and news reporting by:
    1. completing appropriate exercises as assigned.
    2. participating in classroom discussions of the coverage of current events in the mainstream media versus ethnic media.
  8. The student will demonstrate knowledge of a recognized code of ethics for journalists by:
    1. completing appropriate assignments as directed by the instructor.
    2. participating in classroom discussions about ethics and the media.
  9. The student will demonstrate knowledge of differing roles of journalism and public relations by:
    1. reviewing and comparing press releases and press kits.
    2. writing a press release.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will demonstrate mastery of 70% of the above stated objectives through classroom assessment methods developed by individual course instructors. The student must demonstrate acceptable command of Standard English and the Associated Press Stylebook style at a minimum level 3 as measured by the SPC Analytical Rubric for Writing.

History of Changes

Revised 8/84 Revised 7/85 Reviewed C&I 10/23/90 Effective Session 19911 3 YR C&I Review 8/94 C & I 11/25/97; DBT 12/25/97 Effective Session 19981 Effective Session 20011 C&I 1/22/02, BOT 2/19/02 Effective yrtr 20021. Effective yrtr 20022. Effective 20061(0370). 3-Year Review 2009.
C&I Approval: 01/24/2006, BOT Approval: 02/21/2006, Effective Term: Fall 2006 (370)