GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 

COURSE INFORMATION OUTLINE

 

COURSE NO.  JOU 101                                           TITLE: Introduction to Journalism

 

CREDIT HOURS:  3                                                  CONTACT HOURS:  3

 

FULL CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

 

Introduces the principles and practices of print journalism. Defines what constitutes news and discusses news gathering, news and feature writing, news editing, and ethical problems of journalists. Prerequisite: ENG 101.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES (STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES):

 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

 

1.      *Write a minimum of three short stories (at least one hard news) with an average competency of at least 70%, demonstrating writing skills that communicate news to readers as measured by a grading rubric covering simplicity, clarity, and where appropriate, a sense of drama or emotions that brings a story to life, while avoiding sensationalism;

2.      Report to the class a minimum of two times the ideas and information gathered from news sources and local papers in order to exhibit a “nose for news”;

  1. Identify the terminology and criteria for a news story through at least three unit tests with a minimum average grade of 70%;
  2. Write a minimum of two news stories with an average competency of 70%, demonstrating recognition of the need to write for a particular market while maintaining a commitment to truth and the highest journalistic ideals as measured by a grading rubric;
  3. Dissect a news article into the different basic news story journalistic parts as demonstrated by the analysis of a minimum of five news story evaluations.

 

* This course objective has been identified as a student learning outcome that must be formally accessed as part of the College’s Comprehensive Assessment Plan. All faculty teaching this course must collect the required data (see Accessing Student Learning Outcomes form) and submit the required analysis and documentation at the conclusion of the semester to the Office of Assessment and Special Projects.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES:

 

Lecture, discussion, films, writing, workshops, and field trips

 

CRITERIA FOR GRADING:

 

Successful completion of all assigned news articles, evaluations, tests, quizzes, attendance, and participation.

 

REQUIRED TEXT(S):

 

To be determined by full-time faculty.

 

SUPPLEMENTARY READING/PRINCIPAL REFERENCES:

 

Instructor’s discretion.

 

BRIEF OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT

 

COURSE NO. JOU 101                                                  TITLE: Introduction to Journalism

 

I.                    Introduction

 

A.     Class syllabus

B.     Instructor

 

II.                 Focus and visual elements

 

III.               Changing concepts of news

 

A.     Soft and hard news

B.     Graphics

C.     Technology changes

 

IV.              Story ideas

 

V.                 Elements of a basic news story

 

VI.              Curiosity and observation

 

VII.            Note-taking

 

VIII.         Interviewing

 

IX.              FORK/Writing process

 

X.                 Leads and nut graphs

 

XI.              Bodies and non-fiction writing techniques

 

XII.            Kickers

 

XIII.         Public Relations writing

 

XIV.         Libel

 

XV.           Ethics

 

XVI.         Multicultural sensitivity

 

Description Revised:  Spring 2004

Dated:              Fall 2002

Revised:           Spring 1980