Class Syllabus

CALLISBURG HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM SYLLABUS               2020-2021

Course: Journalism

Course Description: This is an elective course that offers a foundations course in general journalism. After the initial first year journalism course all students will understand the various facets of the staff production areas and may enroll in upper-level sections to serve on staff for four publications of The Prowler, the Callisburg High School newspaper, The Wildcat, the Callisburg district yearbook, and daily radio broadcasts on Camp Sweeney’s KPFC-FM 89.1 and 91.9.

Instructor: Mrs. Charlotte Strahan

Prep Period: 6th Period: 1:35 p.m. - 2:25 p.m. Email: cstrahan@cisdtx.net  Phone: 940-665 0961 Ext.338

Course Overview: In this elective course, students will learn the foundations of journalism in Journalism I including history of journalism, journalistic writing styles including news, feature, editorial, headline, copy editing as well as AP style. After advancing to Journalism II, Newspaper, Yearbook I, II or Digital Audio Tech. I, II, students will participate as part of a staff in the producing the school newspaper, The Prowler, the school yearbook, The Wildcat, and radio broadcasts on Camp Sweeney’s KPFC-FM. Journalism helps to prepare students for a myriad of career opportunities and in doing so, students will develop their journalistic writing, interviewing, business, marketing, and publication skills.

Course Goals:

Students will improve their writing through writing multiple genres of journalism articles (such as news stories, features, headlines, editorials, sports articles and copy writing skills); (2) Students will become familiar with the writing process and AP style/grammar; (3) Students will learn the essential elements of photography and page design; (4) Students will acquire business skills, including selling advertisements, conducting interviews, and acting in a professional manner; (5) Students will learn the steps of the publication process and meet publication deadlines; (6) Students will work as a part of a professional team.

Course Passing Criteria: Students will receive their grade based on 50% daily assignments and q

quizzes and 50% tests and projects. They must pass the semester with 70% or above to continue in this class the next semester. Also, since this is a production class they cannot opt out for the second semester unless they are failing the class. The staff depends on their training and skills to produce the publication and to meet deadlines.

Grading Criteria:

Because this is a productions class staff contribution and the ability to meet printing deadlines is a test grade each three weeks. A student must take this responsibility seriously and be able to meet this standard.

Suggested Materials:

A camera or smartphone capable of taking digital pictures

A planner to keep track of assigned events and deadlines

A handheld dictionary and/or thesaurus

Class Supplies:

-3-Ring Binder Notebook for Assignments and Portfolio

-Notebook Paper

-Spiral notebook for Daily Journal (may use a section of 3-ring Binder)

-Pens, pencils, markers, colored pencils

- Digital Camera Card  (EX. SanDisk 16 GB $9.99 )

-Flash Driv

-Box of Kleenex

-Disinfectant Wipes

Assessment Course Standards:

Students will learn the basics of photography and will have a clear understanding of how to take a quality photograph in photo journalism style.

Students will learn how to conduct a thorough interview.

Students will analyze the journalism writing process and will write articles (as assigned) that follow this process for the varying types of media writing (news story, feature article, review, editorial, column, sports news, etc.).

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the different elements used in page design and will create designs that illustrate these elements.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of copy editing, revising stories, and writing in media style that conforms to the Style Guide.

Students will develop an understanding of the career options in journalism.

Students will learn the legal, Constitutional, and ethical issues surrounding media

Students will learn how to sell and design an advertisement.

Students will consistently demonstrate the ability to meet deadlines that conform to the demand in the professional media world. 10. Students will consistently demonstrate the ability to meet ethical demands of the professional media world. Standard Assessment Policy:

Standard assessments will take place in a variety of formats, including daily professionalism and work produced by the student. Students will receive ample notification of the format and content for each standard assessment.

Students must pass 70% of the standards listed for each semester. Standard Late Work Policy: Because we are working against tight deadlines, students should make every effort to complete assignments on time. Late work will result in significant reductions in a student’s Standards grade. Unavoidable situations that arise can be worked out individually between advisor and student.

Respect: Respect is one of the most important expectations in my classroom. I will treat you with respect and I expect you to do the same. Please regard your peers, your teacher, and the classroom environment with respect.  When in doubt, remember the Golden Rule.

Technology: In accordance with school policy, cell phones, iPods, etc. are not allowed in class from bell to bell. If any piece of technology is seen or heard during class, regardless of whether or not it is in use, it may be confiscated and turned over to the office as per school policy. If permission is granted to one student to use their technology for a momentary academic purpose, it is not to be assumed that permission is extended to anyone else.

Cheating and plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable in professional journalism, nor will I tolerate them in my class. When you get caught, you will automatically be referred to school administration for disciplinary action. If you are unsure about whether something is cheating or plagiarism, speak to me before turning it in!

3 W’s:

It is imperative that students continue to practice the Covid-19 expectations of Wash your hands, Wear your mask, Watch your distance-6 ft.

Tardy: Each student is allowed 3 tardy marks per semester. After the third tardy, detention will be assigned for each successive tardy noted.

Food and Drink: Students are allowed to have water in the classroom in a closed container. We won’t have food In the classroom unless it is a scheduled class activity with food.

Assigned Seating: There will be assigned seating for this course primarily for charting for health related purposes during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Travel:

Yearbook journalism students will be expected to travel for sales of yearbook advertising in the community. We will have 2-3 ad sales days in Callisburg, Lake Kiowa, Oak Ridge, Whitesboro, and Gainesville.  I will send permission slips at the time of those events.

Responsibilities and Expectations:

All journalism students must respect the responsibility and professional expectations for use of all equipment including cameras and broadcasting equipment used for our projects. Mishandling of equipment that results in loss/damage must be accounted for by the student. Broadcasting students must also abide by professional expectations for on-air broadcasting following all FCC communications rules and regulations.

Student and Parent Signatures:

I understand the responsibilities and expectations for being a journalism student and staff member of the Prowler and Wildcat and KPFC-FM Radio Broadcaster and will act prudently in my obligations as a Wildcat Journalism Staff Member:

Student Printed Name:____________________________________________ Date:________________

Student Signature:________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Printed Name:_____________________________________ Date:________________

Parent/Guardian Signature:_________________________________________