11/23/2024 2:00:26 AM	JOUR 1 Course Outline as of Summer 2018	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  JOUR 1	Title:  INTRO TO JOURNALISM
Full Title:  Introduction to Journalism
Last Reviewed:11/14/2022

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total 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:

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 newspaper and/or website.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Concurrent Enrollment in JOUR 1L

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

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 newspaper and/or website.

(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:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
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:

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:

Upon completion of the course, students will 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 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, the democratizing role of the Internet and

    other issues.

Topics and Scope

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

    A. Why use numbers

    B. Interpreting poll results and studies

    C. Means, medians, percentages

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

XIV. Media as Business

    A. Media consolidation/monopolization

    B. Role of gatekeepers

    C. Media as business/profit-making enterprises

    D. Role of Internet

Assignments:

1. Five to seven articles (300-10000 words per article) that may include general news, meeting,

    speech, event coverage, police blotter, profile and feature article assignments

2. Reading 10-30 pages per week in text and reader

3. Seven to fifteen short assignments to build reporting and writing skills, 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 and problem solving libel and ethics cases

4. One to two Midterm(s) and final exam

5. Attendance and 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%
Midterm(s) and final exam that can include multiple choice, short answer, and short essay
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:

Instructor prepared materials

Writing and Reporting News. 8th ed. Rich, Carole. Wadsworth. 2015

Inside Reporting. 3rd ed. Harrower, Tim. McGraw-Hill. 2013

News Reporting and Writing. 11th ed. The Missouri Group.  Bedford/St. Martin's. 2013

News Reporting and Writing. 12th ed. Mencher, Melvin. McGraw/Hill Higher Education. 2010 (classic)

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