Journalism 315 Editing and Production
COURSE SYLLABUS: Spring 2016
Instructor: Jodi Weber, instructor Office Location: N/A Office Hours: N/A Phone: 903-434-9342 Email Address: [email protected]
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Description: Focus is on the concerns of the news editor, including copyediting, headline writing, and newspaper design. Laboratory work consists of copyediting, layout, and headline writing for fully-paginated student publications.
Materials – Textbooks, Readings, Supplementary Readings:
Textbook(s) Required: 2014 AP Stylebook: ISBN: 978-0-917360-58-9 and Think Like an Editor: 50 Strategies for the Print and Digital World; Second Edition; by Steve Davis and Emilie Davis; ISBN: 978-1-133-31137-9.
Student Learning Outcomes: 1. The student will demonstrate the ability to copyedit to AP Style specifications for print and digital publications. 2. The student will demonstrate the ability to write concise, informative headlines for print and digital publications. 3. The student will demonstrate the ability to work in a deadline-oriented environment and meet all deadlines assigned by the instructor. 4. The student will demonstrate the ability to plan and design news publications utilizing Adobe Creative Suite software. 5. The student will understand ethical and legal issues associated with editing and production.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Instructional / Methods / Activities Assessments This course consists of class discussions, demonstrative lectures, quizzes, exams, and hands-on design projects.
Grading (1000 points total) Quizzes: 7 at 50 points each (350 points total) In-Class Projects: 8 at 50 points each (400 points total) Final Project: 150 points value Class Participation/Discussion: 100 points Grading Scale: A = 90%, B = 80%, C = 70%, D = 60%, F = below 60% TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
Students will utilize lab computers and/or personal computers to complete class projects. Each student should bring a flash drive to class each week in order to save work.
ACCESS AND NAVIGATION
n/a
COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT
Interaction with Instructor Statement: To contact the instructor, students may call or text 903-434-9342 (if no answer, leave a voice mail), or email ([email protected].) Response will be within 24 hours of receipt, if response is requested. Students requiring club, organization or athletics grade checks must bring appropriate form to instructor’s office during office hours. No grade checks will be given in the classroom. Instructor-initiated communication will be via email at the students’ myLeo email address.
COURSE AND UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES/POLICIES
Course Specific Procedures: As the course only meets once a week, students are expected to attend every class, be on time and stay for the duration of each class. More than one absence may result in the student being dropped from the class. Excessive talking or other class disruptions may result in student being asked to leave class. Late work will be accepted up to one week after an assignment is due, but at least one letter grade will be subtracted from the total. Missed quizzes cannot be made up and will receive a grade of zero.
Students will only use lab computers for projects directly related to the course. All programs should be closed and the computers put to sleep at the end of class. Cell phones should be put away during class unless being used for an assignment. No food or drinks are allowed in the lab.
University Specific Procedures:
ADA Statement The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact:
Office of Student Disability Resources and Services Texas A&M University-Commerce Gee Library 132 Phone (903) 886-5150 or (903) 886-5835 Fax (903) 468-8148 [email protected] Student Disability Resources & Services
Student Conduct All students enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior conducive to a positive learning environment. (See Code of Student Conduct from Student Guide Handbook) Spring 2015 Schedule:
Jan. 25 – Week One
1. Introductions 2. Syllabus Discussion 3. Presentation: The Power of the Press 4. Homework Assignment: Read Strategies 1-6 (Think Like An Editor), learn proofreading marks (handout)
Feb. 1 – Week Two
1. Group Discussion 2. Quiz 1 3. Presentation: Introduction to AP Style 5. Homework Assignment: Read Strategies 7-13 (Think Like An Editor), study AP Style handout
Feb. 8 – Week Three
4. Group Discussion 5. In-Class Project One: Editing AP Style 6. Presentation: Storytelling 7. Homework Assignment: Read Strategies 14-21 (Think Like An Editor)
Feb. 15 – Week Four
1. Quiz 2 2. Group Discussion 3. Presentation: Ethics in Editing 4. Homework Assignment: Read Strategies 22-27 (Think Like An Editor)
Feb. 22 – Week Five
1. Group Discussion 2. In-Class Project Two: Editing AP Style 3. Presentation: Grammar Matters 5. Homework Assignment: Read Strategies 28-31 (Think Like An Editor)
Feb. 29 – Week Six
1. Group Discussion 2. Quiz 3 3. In-Class Project Three: Editing for Content 4. Presentation: Fairness in Editing 6. Homework Assignment: Read Strategies 32-35 (Think Like An Editor)
March 7 – Week Seven
5. Group Discussion 6. In-Class Project Four: Trimming and Rewriting 7. Presentation: Working as a Team 8. Homework: N/A – Enjoy spring break!
March 14 – Week Eight: No Class. University closed for Spring Break
March 21 – Week Nine
1. Group Discussion 2. Quiz 4 3. Presentation: Headline Writing 4. In-Class Project Five: Headline Writing 7. Homework Assignment: Read Strategies 36-40 (Think Like An Editor)
March 28 – Week 10
1. Group Discussion 2. Presentation: Production 3. In-Class Project Five: Dummies 8. Homework Assignment: Read Strategies 41-43 (Think Like An Editor)
April 4 – Week 11
1. Group Discussion 2. Quiz 5 3. Presentation: Visual Storytelling 4. In-Class Project Six: Page Prepping 5. Homework Assignment: Read Strategies 44-46 (Think Like An Editor), Study Vocabulary for
April 11 – Week 12
1. Group Discussion 2. Introduce Final Project 3. In-Class Project Seven: Photo layouts 4. Quiz 6 5. Homework Assignment: Read Strategies 47-50 (Think Like An Editor)
April 18 – Week 13
1. Quiz 7 2. Work on final project in class
April 25 – Week 14
1. In-Class Project Eight: Working photos 2. Work on final project in class
May 2 – Week 15
1. Work on final project in class (if needed) 2. Present final projects
May 9 – Final day of class
1. Present final projects (if needed)