SRJC Course Outlines

3/29/2024 5:16:24 AMJOUR 1 Course Outline as of Fall 2023

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  JOUR 1Title:  INTRO TO JOURNALISM  
Full Title:  Introduction to Journalism
Last Reviewed:11/14/2022

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  JOUR 1A

Catalog Description:
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Introduction to journalism, news reporting and writing with an emphasis on journalistic standards, media ethics and the changing nature of the news industry.  Students will learn fundamental reporting skills and write news and feature articles for possible publishing in the Oak Leaf college news media.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Concurrent Enrollment in JOUR 1L


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Introduction to journalism, news reporting and writing with an emphasis on journalistic standards, media ethics and the changing nature of the news industry.  Students will learn fundamental reporting skills and write news and feature articles for possible publishing in the Oak Leaf college news media.
(Grade Only)

Prerequisites:Concurrent Enrollment in JOUR 1L
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
C-ID:
 CID Descriptor: JOUR 110 Introduction to Reporting and Newswriting SRJC Equivalent Course(s): JOUR1 OR JOUR1 AND JOUR1L
 CID Descriptor: JOUR 110 Introduction to Reporting and Newswriting SRJC Equivalent Course(s): JOUR1 OR JOUR1 AND JOUR1L

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Apply reporting and writing skills to create a portfolio of news and feature articles.
2. Analyze and discuss objectivity, ethics, libel cases and other judgments in news stories and news selection.
3. Critically evaluate the role of the news media in American society.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Develop story ideas, identify sources, conduct interviews, and research and write different types of news and feature articles.
2. Distinguish between news and feature articles in terms of lead, content, sources, and story structure.
3. Use copyediting skills and knowledge of Associated Press (AP) style to edit, refine and improve articles.
4. Apply ethical philosophies to the evaluation of news judgments regarding use of controversial photos, conflicts of interest, withholding information and other ethical dilemmas.
5. Analyze libel and invasion of privacy case studies and determine potential outcomes based on knowledge of media law.
6. Discuss and critically analyze the dynamic status of news media in America, including objectivity, framing and bias, media consolidation, fake news the democratizing role of the Internet and other issues.

Topics and Scope
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I. What is News?
    A. Definition of news
    B. Internet vs. newspaper vs. television vs. radio news
    C. What is newsworthy?
    D. Inverted pyramid
II. News Leads
    A. Typology of news leads
    B. Leads to avoid
    C. Story angle
III. Covering a Beat
    A. Finding story ideas
    B. Developing and keeping sources
    C. Police beat reporting
IV. Sources and Research
    A. Types of sources
    B. Diversity of sources
    C. Agreements with sources (off the record, on background, etc.)
    D. Offline and online research
V. Interviewing
    A. Interview preparation
    B. Question types
    C. Rapport/listening skills
    D. Note taking and accuracy
VI. Attribution
    A. Choosing best quotes
    B. Quote vs. paraphrase
    C. Quote punctuation
VII. Working with Numbers/Data Journalism
    A. Why use numbers
    B. Interpreting poll results and studies
    C. Means, medians, percentages
    D. Importance of data journalism
VIII. Story Types
    A. Meeting and speech stories
    B. Event stories
    C. News conferences
IX. Feature Writing
    A. Difference between feature and news stories
    B. Types of features
    C. Profiles
    D. Feature leads
    E. Feature story structures
         1. Focus structure features
         2. Hourglass
         3. Narrative
    F. Use of fiction techniques
X. Editing
    A. Grammar
    B. Punctuation
    C. AP Style
    D. Active vs. passive
    E. Conciseness
    F. Clarity and precision
    G. Strong verbs
    H. Transitions and story flow
XI. Media Law
    A. First Amendment, censorship. and prior restraint
    B. Freedom of Information Act
    C. Sunshine laws/Brown Act
    D. Shield laws
    E. Libel
         1. Categories of libel
         2. Elements of a libel case
         3. Libel defenses
         4. Avoiding libel
    F. Invasion of privacy
XII. Media Ethics
    A. Ethical philosophies
    B. Ethical dilemmas
          1. Conflicts of interest
          2. Deceit
          3. Controversial photos/stories
          4. Withholding information
          5. Plagiarism and other issues
    C. Code of ethics
    D. Ethics cases and ethical problem solving
XIII. Objectivity
    A. Objective procedures
    B. Is objectivity possible?
    C. Framing and bias
    D. Balance versus truth
    E. Recognizing fake news
XIV. Media as Business
    A. Media consolidation/monopolization
    B. Role of gatekeepers
    C. Media as business/profit-making enterprises
    D. Role of Internet

Assignments:
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1. Articles (4-7 articles, 300-10,000 words each) that may include general news, meeting, speech, event coverage, police incidents, profile, and feature article assignments
2. Reading in text and discussion articles (10-30 pages per week)
3. Short assignments to build reporting and writing skills (7-15), including:
     A. Copyediting
    B. Writing leads
    C. Developing story ideas
    D. Practicing interview skills
    E. Writing inverted pyramid and feature stories
    F. Completing AP style and grammar exercises
    G. Finding sources
    H.  Problem solving libel and ethics cases
4. Exam(s) (1-2) and Final Exam
5. Attendance and classroom participation

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
30 - 50%
Articles
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
20 - 40%
Short assignments
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
20 - 30%
Exam(s); final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
5 - 20%
Attendance and classroom participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Inside Reporting. 3rd ed. Harrower, Tim. McGraw-Hill. 2013 (classic).
News Reporting and Writing. 13th ed. The Missouri Group.  Bedford/St. Martin's. 2019.
News Reporting and Writing. 12th ed. Mencher, Melvin. McGraw/Hill Higher Education. 2010 (classic).
Dynamics of News Reporting and Writing: Foundational skills for a Digital Age 2nd ed. Filak, Vincent. 2021.
Instructor prepared materials

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