Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School
for Government and International Studies
Syllabus for Journalism
Mr. Hal Waller
hwaller@gsgis.k12.va.us
workroom: 225 / extension: x2250
planning periods: 1st-7th
Course Description:
Journalism is a laboratory course for teaching the skills necessary for communicating through print media. Emphasis is placed on news writing, which includes interviewing, observing, reporting, reacting, and synthesizing. Development of skills in interpretation, in-depth research techniques, creativity in writing, photography and, planning and design of publications is an essential part of the learning experience. The course is designed to sharpen students’ analytical, expressive, and creative skills.
Journalism is a laboratory course for teaching the skills necessary for communicating through print media. Emphasis is placed on news writing, which includes interviewing, observing, reporting, reacting, and synthesizing. Development of skills in interpretation, in-depth research techniques, creativity in writing, photography and, planning and design of publications is an essential part of the learning experience. The course is designed to sharpen students’ analytical, expressive, and creative skills.
Textbooks:
Introduction to Journalism
Introduction to Journalism
Web Page:
http://www.mwhs.gsgis.k12.va.us/ourdepartments/englishwebpgs.html
http://www.mwhs.gsgis.k12.va.us/ourdepartments/englishwebpgs.html
Objectives / Goals:
- Explore multiple forms of written media, including newspapers, magazines, and on-line journals.
- Critically examine and compare various modes of mass communication/journalism.
- Learn what constitutes news, how to make news and information relevant to an audience, and how to report news completely, fairly, and objectively.
- Learn the principles of journalistic ethics regarding objectivity, credibility, truth and accuracy, interviewing and attribution, conflicts of interest, misrepresentation, balance and fairness.
- Learn the basic structure of news stories, including leads, use of quotations, transitions, and endings.
- Read examples of quality news reporting and analyze various types of stories for structure, style, and content.
- Learn how to write in various journalistic styles, including news writing, features writing, editorial writing, and sports writing.
- Develop editing skills, for both own and others’ writing.
- Practice accepting criticism and making revisions to writing.
- Practice correct interviewing and quotation attribution techniques.
- Study the strengths and weaknesses of headlining and practice writing multiple headlines for the same story, critiquing for diction, focus, and accuracy.
- Practice and apply computerized publication layout and design in the production of a high quality school newspaper.
- Learn about photojournalism, including photo composition and care and use of digital cameras.
Assessment / Evaluation Procedures:
Both assignment grades and term grades will be calculated with a point system. Students will be responsible for both individual and group projects.
Classroom Expectations:
Students will be expected to deport themselves appropriately at all times. This includes both showing respect for peers and the instructor and also acting in a truthful and honest manner. The Honor Pledge will be signed to all work turned in for credit. Class attendance is mandatory. Work missed due to an excused absence must be handed in when the student returns to school, and work missed due to an unexcused absence will not receive a grade. Work that misses a deadline will not be accepted.
Students will be expected to deport themselves appropriately at all times. This includes both showing respect for peers and the instructor and also acting in a truthful and honest manner. The Honor Pledge will be signed to all work turned in for credit. Class attendance is mandatory. Work missed due to an excused absence must be handed in when the student returns to school, and work missed due to an unexcused absence will not receive a grade. Work that misses a deadline will not be accepted.
Materials Needed:
Students must always bring paper and writing implements to class. (Fedoras with press cards in the hat band are optional.)
Students must always bring paper and writing implements to class. (Fedoras with press cards in the hat band are optional.)
Signatures:
I have read and understood this syllabus.
I have read and understood this syllabus.
Student: __________________________________
Parent: ___________________________________
