Download English 11 - School District of New Richmond

Journalism
Course Syllabus
2013-14
Assignments, grades, and Mr. Ayer’s webpage can be accessed at:
http://newrichmond.k12.wi.us
Instructor:
Mr. Ayer
Room C207
Office Hours: 7:20 – 7:35 a.m.
2:52 – 3:50 p.m.
Possible Texts and Resources:
Ferguson, Donald L. and Jim Patten, eds. Journalism Today. Chicago: National
Textbook Company, 1994.
Hawthorne, Bobby. The Radical Write: A Fresh Approach to Journalistic Writing for
Students. Taylor Publishing Company, 1994.
Hinman, Sheryl Lee and Thomas E. Winski. Journalism: Writing for Publication. The Center
for Learning, 1997.
Lamb, Jane. The Complete Newspaper Resource Book. Portland: J. Weston Walch, 1985.
The New York Times.
Course Description:
M
ost school districts across the nation necessitate a student newspaper. This course is
an introduction to journalism through the student publication of the Tiger Rag
newspaper. Students will be challenged to use their skills and talents as they work
together as part of the newsroom team. In addition to the journalism skills of news
gathering, interviewing, article writing, editing, photography, and newspaper layout,
students will further expand and reinforce basic English skills in reading, writing, listening,
critical thinking, speaking, and research processes. A critical analysis of current media
practices will also be explored, including investigative reporting, objectivity, accuracy, and
reliable sources.
This is a rare course that relies on students’ abilities to balance working independently and
together as a team in order to complete high quality news writing. Students of this class act
not only as students, but also as citizens directly serving their community as journalists. In
addition, the computer skills acquired in this course are also beneficial as young people
prepare themselves for an ever-growing computerized job market.
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Requirements:
This course demands a high level of responsibility from students. Students will be
expected to turn in a:
1. First semester portfolio, which features their best work at the end of the first
semester (including various writing assignments, articles, and layouts).
2. Second semester portfolio, which features their best work at the end of the
school year (including writing assignments, articles, and layouts).
Without the completion of these portfolios, students will not pass this course. These
projects are vital to the final evaluation of student achievement. In addition, students will
be expected to maintain an effective time management plan as deadlines recur and daily
assignments, quizzes, and tests continue.
Each student will be responsible for various sections of the newspaper from issue to issue
and semester to semester. In addition, one to two students will be elected to available
editorial duties. If the class size allows, this class will also be responsible for publishing a
spring edition literary/art magazine.
Evaluation:
G
rades will be based on student performance in class by use of the daily work log (i.e.
staying on task, meeting all assigned duties and deadlines, working with and assisting
others when finished with one’s own job assignment), evaluated writing and assignments,
quizzes, and tests. Again, portfolio evaluations will weigh heavily into the grades as first
and second semester finals projects. Remember that all late work in this course receives a
grading penalty of two full letter grades (“C-” is the best grade a student may earn for late
work). Late work is simply unacceptable in a class driven by deadlines.
Students are encouraged to save all typed work on multiple disks and on their
district-provided server space so as to avoid late work due to technological
problems. Also, students may come in before and after school (with advance notice to Mr.
Ayer) to finish work if unable to meet deadlines in class.
Grading Scale:
Weighted Grading Breakdown:
A=
B=
C=
D=
F=
65% =
Portfolio, tests, quizzes,
writing assignments
35% =
Daily assignments, student
performance, daily log
100% - 90%
89% - 80%
79% - 70%
69% - 60%
59% & under