High School Journalism

JOURNALISM CLASS COURSE OF STUDY

1. We will be using the book, Journalism Today. We will also be using the online resource www.newseum.org.

2. For each chapter you will be expected to write definitions of the terms listed at the beginning of each chapter. Keep these in a notebook or folder so that you will be able to refer to them at any time.

3. Your grade will be a combination of:
    - class discussion and participation
    - assignments such as vocabulary and quizzes on assignments
    - test grades
    - grades on your articles. You will write news stories, feature stories, sports stories, editorials, and continuing assignments.

I want to say a word about attendance. I expect you to be here. If you have three unexcused absences, I may ask that you be dropped from this class. .

My grading scale is as follows:
    100% - 94% : A
    93% - 84% : B
    83% - 70% : C
    69% and below: Incomplete

4. Articles:
    - Once we begin writing, you will write a minimum of two articles per week. I reserve the right to raise that number as need arises. What you write about will be determined by the type of writing we are studying.
    - I want to mention a word about continuing assignments. This will be a longer, in-depth piece. A general rule of thumb for this article’s length would be 12-15 typed, double-spaced pages. Everyone will do at least one of these during the nine weeks of class.
    - Any of your articles may appear in The Ed-Co Echoes.
    - Also, every article assignment will be typed. Use the computer. I will tell you the font and type size when I make an assignment.

5. Some hints about journalism class:
    - Come to class ready to think and to participate. Think critically. Read newspapers every day. Read The Cedar Rapids Gazette, The Des Moines Register, The Telegraph-Herald, The Manchester Press, The Dyersville Commercial, The Edgewood Reminder, and The Ed-Co Echoes. Also, watch the evening news on television.
    - Be prepared for class. When an assignment is due, have it done. A newspaper can’t function when reporters don’t finish articles on time. This class won’t either.