Reporting and Writing for the
Mass Media – Jl MC 201, Section 3
Summer Semester 2007 Syllabus
Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Mondays,
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 11:10 a.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Hamilton Hall 08
Welcome
to Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media, an introductory journalism course
in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication. This course is designed
to help you develop professional journalistic skills and practice writing
publishable assignments on deadline. This includes the knowledge and attitudes
that journalists rely on to be effective professionals. It will provide
instruction of media writing as a basis for upper-level courses in the Greenlee
School of Journalism and Communication. This includes the development of
fundamental reporting skills. Jl MC 201 also will offer a broad overview of
media-writing careers and will help you develop an approach to starting your
professional life. If you are a major in this school, you must earn no lower
than a “C+” in the course—or a 76.5 (77). A grade lower than this will
require you to re-take the course in the future before you can move onto Jl MC
202.
Office
hours are below. I’m available after lab for quick questions. For more involved
questions or to discuss your career plans or grades, please come by during
office hours or schedule an appointment. Contact me at least 48 hours in
advance to set up an individual conference.
Professor: Dr.
David W. Bulla
E-mail: dbulla@iastate.edu
Office: Hamilton
Hall 111
Office phone: (515) 294-0658
Office hours: 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Class Web site: http://www.oocities.org/d_bulla/David_Bulla/201.html
Teaching Assistant: Adam J. Kuban
E-mail: akjuban@iastate.edu
Office: Hamilton Hall 01
Office Phone: (515) 294-3268
_____________________
____________________
General
requirements for enrollment in Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media
*
You must have completed ENGL 105 or tested out.
*
You need to be able to type a minimum of 20 words per minute.
*
You must have one of the following: (a) a 26 or higher on the ACT English Exam;
a 590 or higher of the SAT Verbal Exam; or a passing score on the Greenlee
School’s English Usage Test.
*
You must have a strong command of written English. If you have significant
grammatical or spelling problems, it is your responsibility to remedy your
problems.
*
Failure to meet all of these requirements will affect your grade in the course.
_________________________________________
Required
Textbooks and Materials
· Norm Goldstein, ed., The Associated
Press Stylebook and Libel Manual,
Associated Press, 2004.
·
Lauren
Kessler and Duncan McDonald, When Words Collide, 5th ed., Wadsworth Publishing Company,
2000.
·
Carole
Rich, Writing and Reporting News: A Coaching Method, 5th ed., Wadsworth Publishing Company,
2004.
I will supply
you a list/schedule of weekly readings on the first day of class.
Recommended
Materials
·
Tape
recorder – Would be helpful for interviewing assignments
·
Dictionary
or other word/spelling guide
·
Reporter’s
notebook
___________________________________
Creating
a Good Learning Environment
Let’s
work together to have a good learning experience. I will:
·
Start
and end class on time.
·
Make
every lecture relevant to learning media writing style, preparing for a
specific lab and/or helping you learn about media careers.
·
Create
exams that include some questions that can be answered only by having attended
lecture.
·
Work
with the lab instructors to make sure that all labs have comparable instruction
and the same grading criteria.
Please
do your part by:
·
Attending
every class. The course is designed so lecture material from the first part of
each class will help you prepare for lab assignments.
·
Being
seated by the start of class.
·
Not
visiting with classmates during class. Your conversations are distracting to
those seated around you and to me.
·
Being
active learners: Listening, taking notes and participating.
·
Turning
off cell phones, iPods and audible pagers.
·
Not
bringing food, drink and tobacco products into the lab.
_________________________________________
Seeking
Help
I
want to help you be successful in this course. If you need individual
assistance beyond the help you receive in lab, it is your responsibility to
meet with me during office hours or set up an appointment for another time. If
you are serious about wanting to improve your performance in the course, the
time to seek help is as soon as you are aware of a problem, whether the problem
is low grades in lab work or an illness.
_________________________________________
Computer
Expectations
During
the course you will be expected to e-mail homework assignments to your lab
instructor and conduct research through the Internet. You will need your own
e-mail account. As an Iowa State student, you can obtain an iastate.edu
account. To set up your ISU e-mail account, go to the following Web site: https://asw.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/acropolis/register.
_________________________________________
Lectures
●
Grade for lecture portion of course – Before every class, I will
spend about a half hour or so introducing the goals of the week. Each week, we
will be doing one major assignment, from now until the first week of July. The
lecture portion of the class grade counts 25 percent of your overall grade in
the course. The lecture grade is based on the average of two exams, your
midterm and final. No make-up exams will be given unless you make arrangements
with me in advance and can provide documentation for the absence. Exams will be
based on your note-taking in class, readings and general information imparted
in both the lecture and lab.
●
Attendance – Be here. It’s as simple as that, or, as Woody Allen
says, 90 percent of success is being where you are supposed to be. If you don’t
show up for work at a newspaper, you will receive a pink slip.
●
Absences – If you are absent from class, check with a classmate to
determine what you missed. Don’t ask me what you missed. You are responsible
for getting notes from the lecture portion of class that you missed from a
classmate. If you miss a lecture that is the basis of a lab assignment, such as
an in-lecture interview, you should get notes from a classmate. But be aware
that using someone else’s notes for an article is not as effective as writing
from your own notes. See me if you missed getting handouts distributed in
class. There will be no deadline extensions for any of the 15 labs. They
will be due at the end of class each Tuesday and Thursday, unless otherwise
noted. I will not take any late papers. I will keep roll. If you miss more than three
classes before the drop date, I will recommend that you drop the class. After
that, I will warn you that your grade is in jeopardy. This is an intense class.
You need to be here every class. The knowledge is cumulative and hierarchical.
One class leads to the next; one unit leads to the next. I am a college
professor, and knowledge is my business. I get very sad when you miss gathering
knowledge. Furthermore, this profession is one that puts all the responsibility
on the individual—which means you. So take charge of your career,
starting now.
●
Posting of lecture grades – Exam scores will be given out in
class. If you think your grade is incorrect, you must notify me so the grade
can be checked.
●
Going over exams – We will not go over exams during lecture. If
you want to go over an exam, you may do so for one week following the posting
of the grades. See me during office hours.
Excused Absences from
Class
Excused absences include
university-sanctioned field trips, a religious observance, illness, or a
serious illness or death in your family. We require documentation, such as a
letter from your doctor or a letter from the university. We are in sympathy
with people who can’t find a parking place, who oversleep or who don’t feel
well but don’t seek medical treatment. However, none of those reasons will count
as excused absences.
Labs
●
Grade for lab portion of the course – The lab grade counts 75
percent of your overall grade. The grade is the average of your scores for
assignments in Labs 1-15. No lab grades are dropped. Lab grades are not
curved. I will give you three
extra-credit options: (1) publish you environment-health-science story in the
Daily or some other accredited newspaper; (2) create a personal portfolio;
and/or (3) write a Web log on a single journalistic topic. Individual
conferences for the portfolio will be held after the final exam. Based on your
performance in the individual conference for the portfolio (a mock job
interview), you can earn up to 20 points, which will be added to your lowest
lab grade. A set of guidelines and a scoring rubric will be provided to help
you prepare your portfolio. It will include a resume, cover letter and at least
three articles re-purposed for publication (placed in a two-column,
newspaper-style format).
●
Grading of Your Articles, Convergence Assignments, P.R. Work and Ads
– For
the sake of consistency among labs, all instructors use the same grading
standards. Your grade on each writing assignment will consist of the points
earned for content minus the points deducted for errors and mechanics. Specific
information about the grading of lab assignments is included in your lab
syllabus.
Grading
Scale (for writing
assignments and the course overall)
A 93-100 B-
80-82 D+ 67-69
A- 90-92 C+ 77-79 D 63-67
B+ 87-89 C 73-76 D- 60-62
B 83-86 C- 70-72 F 59-below
Scores of .5
or higher are rounded to the next whole number (84.6 becomes 85). Hence, a
score of 76.5 is the cutoff for advancing to Jl MC 202.
●
The Midterm and Final exams
will each count 10 percent. They will be multiple choice. Questions will come
from readings in the Rich textbook, the lectures, in-class visiting lectures,
AP style and the labs.
●
The final 5 percent of your
grade will come from your Reflective Journal. These will be written responses to
journalistic issues that arise in class. Adam Kuban, your teaching assistant,
will provide more information on how these work the first week of class.
_________________________________________
Academic
Honesty
●
Each of you should be aware of your commitment to academic honesty. This
commitment is part of the registration process, and, as an ISU student, you
sign a statement each term agreeing to adhere to the Iowa State University’s
rules and regulations concerning academic honesty.
●
When you are given out-of-lab time to work on a lab assignment, you are
expected to do your own work. Friends may proofread your work, but the
reporting and writing must be your own.
●
Plagiarism is a serious offense – in this course, in this college and in
media-writing careers. You must attribute information to a source. If you use
information from a publication, you must credit that publication. Using someone
else’s work as your own will result in a zero for the assignment.
●
If you are aware of a climate – in lecture or lab – that promotes
academic dishonesty, please notify me, your lab instructor or contact the Dean
of Students Office, 1010 Student Services Building, or visit the following Web
page: http://www.vpundergraduate.iastate.edu/advising/handbook/misconduct.html.
_____________________________________
Notes
and Taping of Course Lectures
●
In a media career (whether in journalism or public relations), you will attend
meetings where you must listen carefully, select key points and take notes. One
of the goals for you in this course is to become more effective in taking
notes.
●
You should attend the lectures and take your own notes. Classmates’ notes or
commercially produced notes do not replace being in lecture and doing your own
listening, thinking and taking notes.
● Taping in-lecture interviews to help you
prepare to write a lab assignment is OK. I highly recommend digital recorders.
However, there is nothing wrong with an analog recorder. See me if you are
having any trouble purchasing a tape recorder.
Special Situations
Please address any special needs or special accommodations with me at
the beginning of the semester or as soon as you become aware. Those seeking
accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Student Academic
Accommodation Request (SAAR) from the Disability Resources (DR) office
(515-294-6624). DR is located in Room 1076 of the Student Services Building.
Extra-Credit
Opportunities
These
points are added to an individual lab score (not to your overall lab
average).
·
25
points – Get your environmental/health/science article published in a
publication approved by me no later than the last Friday of the regular
semester. The Iowa State Daily or the Ames Tribune are the most likely
accredited publications.
·
20
points (maximum) – Schedule and then attend a portfolio review and
interview with me after the final exam.
·
20
points (maximum) – Write a Web log about a single journalistic topic.
Written in first person. Due by the end of the class for Lab 15.
·
Current
events quiz and News Discussions, which will be given occasionally. Points
gained in CEQ will be added to that week’s main assignment. CEQ will be five
questions about news from ISU, Ames, Iowa, U.S. and the world. You are
encouraged to read the Iowa Daily Student, Ames Tribune, Des Moines Register, and a regional or
national newspaper or major news Web site on a daily basis. You also encouraged
to watch/listen to major news shows – television network news, BBC, NPR,
cable, etc. ...
How
I Grade Lab Assignments
Your
grade on each writing assignment consists of the points earned for content (0-100) minus the
points deducted for fact errors (50 points) and mechanics (see the scale for each
type of error below). To ensure consistency among labs, all instructors use the
same grading standards.
Step
One: Content
The
content grade is based on criteria for each specific writing assignment. A
rubric (a listing of grading criteria) will be provided for most
assignments. The criteria vary
depending on the particular lab assignment -- news stories, news releases or
advertising copy. To be “A” work, a writing assignment, with minor editing,
should be publishable in the Iowa State Daily. General criteria for
all assignments include writing style, organization, clarity and
appropriateness for topic and audience.
Step
Two: Mechanics Scale
After
determining the content grade, the points will be deducted for grammatical
errors, spelling errors, factual errors and AP style errors. The points are
deducted as follows:
· - 5 points = Grammar
and punctuation errors.
· - 5 points = AP style
errors.
· - 5 points = Improper
copy symbols or copy sloppily marked.
· - 5 points = Failure to
prepare copy correctly.
· - 15 points = Spelling
error. Deducted both for misspelled words and typos. If the same word is
misspelled more than once in a story, 15 points will be subtracted only once.
· - 10 points = Failure
to make a deadline, which means turning in anything late. Additional points
will be deducted for assignments turned in more than one day late.
· - 50 points = Factual
error. This includes errors and typos in proper nouns, numbers, addresses,
dates and quotes, and inaccurate information. (In Lab 2, a fact error = - 10. In Labs
3-4, a fact error = - 25.
Beginning in Lab 5, a fact error = - 50).
Office
Hours
I
will be in my office during the hours listed above, and I can be available at
other hours if you make arrangements with me in advance. During office hours we
can discuss specific problems you are having, go over past assignments to see
how to improve them, and discuss activities you can do to improve your skills.
I want to encourage you to take advantage of office hours to speak with me
one-on-one.
I
will not discuss individual lab grades in lab. If you have a question about how
I’ve evaluated your writing, please come in to see me during office hours or at
another time we work out. If you do have a question about a specific grading
issue in a lab assignment, you must talk to me within two weeks of the lab when
you wrote the assignment.
Please
Note
· I will start class on time and expect you to be
on time. Often a quiz will be given or directions presented in the first part
of class.
· I will end lab on time. Even if you don’t have a
class following the end of lab, I won’t allow extra time to finish an
assignment. If you do not turn in your assignment on time, I will deduct 10 points
for failure to meet a deadline.
·
Please
use the computers only for our lab activities. Do not check your e-mail, view
Web sites
or
do instant messaging or text messaging during lab.
·
No
guests are allowed in class.
· After the initial assignment of proofreaders’
marks and AP style, you are responsible for using correct AP style and
proofreaders’ marks on all assignments for the rest of the semester.
· Every student must meet with me at least once
during my office hours (or at a time we schedule) before Lab 6.
Jl MC 201, Section 3
Summer 2007 Class
Schedule
Lab 1 Monday,
May 14 – Tuesday, May 15
Orientation
to Jl MC 201 and computer training. Syllabus and other class handouts. Goals of
the course. The First Amendment. Assignment: In-class practice writing
assignment. (Begin Lab grades.)
Lab
2 Wednesday,
May 16 – Thursday, May 17
Homework
due at beginning of lab on Wednesday: Completed resume. Assignment: Write cover
letter
based on directions provided in lecture and the textbook.
Lab
3 Monday,
May 21 – Tuesday, May 22
Assignment:
Write two news stories based on information provided. You will write one story
outside of class and complete it prior to lab. You will write the other story
on deadline in lab.
Lab
4 Wednesday,
May 23 – Thursday, May 23
Assignment:
Write one longer news story from information provided in lab. [More than
one source of info]
Lab
5 Tuesday,
May 29 (No class on Monday, May 28, Memorial Day, University Closed)
On
Tuesday bring a memorandum explaining your environmental/health/science topic
and focus, target publication, two background (documentary) sources, and
listing five questions you need to answer in order to write the article. [The
first draft of the environmental/health/science article is due in Lab 9.]
Homework
due at the beginning of lab: Write a memo – using the correct format –
about yourself to be used as background information for a personality profile.
Assignment:
Write a news story with a feature lead from information provided. [Multiple
sources and direct quotes] You will use a soft lead and a nut graph in this
story.
Lab
6 Wednesday,
May 30 – Thursday, May 31
Homework
due at beginning of lab:
A
typed draft of a news feature story on based on an in-class interview. The notes
you took during the interview will make provide you with the information for
this story.
Assignment:
Darfur News Feature. This will be based on an in-class panel discussion. Also,
you will be matched with a classmate for the personality profile assignment (due Lab 7,
Tuesday, June 5).
Lab
7 Monday,
June 4 – Tuesday, June 5
Homework:
1) Turn in memorandum on your environment, health or science article. Also
complete Rick Bragg reading and answer questions about the reading. Finally,
complete mechanics practice.
2)
On Wednesday, bring a typed draft of personality profile based on interview you
conducted with a classmate. Also bring interview notes to lab.
3)
On Monday, we will have a review for the midterm exam.
Major
Class Assignment for Wednesday, June 6: Midterm. Fifty multiple-choices based on the
lectures, your readings and the labs. Midterm will be on Wednesday. No food,
drink or tobacco products. Please turn cell phones and pagers off. Do not wear
a hat in class. Bring a No. 2 pencil.
Lab
8 Wednesday,
June 6 – Thursday, June 7
Homework:
1) At least 48 hours before lab, send me an e-mail on your
environmental/health/science article. Update me on your progress, provide the
names of at least two people you are interviewing, and list five interview
questions you will ask each person.
Discussion:
The role of the media. Several theories of mass communication. Class
Assignment:
Watch “News Wars” video and write a reflective essay based on the film.
Lab
9 Monday,
June 11 – Tuesday, June 12
Homework
and Assignment: Bring two typed copies of completed
environmental/health/science draft to one-on-one meeting with lab instructor.
Meetings will be held during lab time. You will receive a zero if you do not
keep your scheduled appointment and do not have two typed rough drafts, one to
turn in and one to use for taking notes.
Lab
10 Wednesday,
June 13 and Wednesday, June 14
Assignment:
Write a news release based on information provided in fact sheet distributed in
lab.
Environmental/health/science
article draft returned to you.
Lab
11 Monday,
June 18 – Tuesday, June 19
Assignment:
Environmental/health/science article due at beginning of lab. Turn in notes on
background research, interview questions and notes, drafts and list of people
you interviewed (including their phone numbers).
Lab
12 Wednesday,
June 20 – Thursday, June 21
Assignment:
Writing for broadcast, using the conventions of writing for the air.
Lab
13 Monday,
June 25 – Tuesday, June 26
Assignment:
Write a restaurant review. Lecture on Media Law and Ethics.
Lab
14 Wednesday,
June 27 – Thursday, June 28
Assignment:
Write ad copy for an athletic shoe.
Rachel
Weber will be our guest lecturer. She will discuss creating a portfolio for
your professional career.
Lab
15 Monday,
July 2 – Tuesday, July 3
Writing
for multiple platforms. Will purpose a story for publication on the Web and for
broadcast. You will edit it down to 400 words and provide relevant links and
graphic information. You will also write me a memorandum explaining how you
re-purposed your article for the Web. The second part of the assignment will be
writing a Web log – notebook – about something interesting you have
experienced in journalism this semester. Finally, evaluations. Bring a No. 2
pencil.
NO
CLASS ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY, UNIVERSITY CLOSED
FINAL
EXAM . Thursday, July 5. It will be 75
multiple-choice questions on reporting, writing, grammar, AP style, law and
ethics. It is cumulative (all 15 weeks). No food, drink or tobacco products.
Please turn cell phones and pagers off. Do not wear a hat in class. Bring a No.
2 pencil. Individual Conferences for the Portfolios due after the exam.
Extra
credit
– For up to 20 points, you may write a 400-word Web log on some aspect of
journalism that you have learned this semester. It should be focused, concise
and personal.
Note: Tuesday, July 3, 2007,
is the deadline for turning in published environmental/health/science articles
for extra credit. Please bring your tear sheet as proof of publication. Also
include the date it was published.
Selected
Web sites:
Des
Moines Register: www.dmregister.com
Ames
Tribune: www.amestrib.com
New
York Times: www.nytimes.com
Washington
Post: www.washingtonpost.com
National
Public Radio: www.npr.org
BBC: www.bbc.com
Power
Reporting: http://powerreporting.com/
Poynter
Institute: www.poynter.org
Investigative
Reporters and Editors: http://www.ire.org/
Student
Press Law Center www.splc.org
Horace Greeley, editor of the New York
Tribune, 1841-1872