COMMUNICATION ARTS 336-01: Writing for the Mass Media
Spring 2008: COMM 336-01 meets MWF from 1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. in HSB 204
Instructor: Mr. Jeremiah Massengale email:jmasseng@ucumberlands.edu
Instructor of Communication Arts & Journalism
Office: GCR 109
Office Hours: MWF: 2-3:30 & T-TH: 1-3 Office Phone: 539-4527
Course Description:
This course introduces students to writing in a professional environment for the mass media. The emphasis of this course is placed upon writing news stories in a variety of formats under deadline. Specific attention is focused on print news reports, feature stories, media reviews, radio newscasts, press releases, advertising copy, and lateral reporting for the Web.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the term you should be able to:
- Understand the role of a writer in a news organization’s structure and also in society.
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Explain and apply the basic forms of media writing, particularly the inverted pyramid news story.
- Write news stories which each contain a riveting lead, a logical structure, and absolutely no errors.
- Understand important role of ethics in journalism.
- Successfully research information via observation, stored sources, and interviews.
- Understand the many journalistic opportunities for writers in the media.
- Develop a basic understanding of the laws that affect the mass media.
Required Text:
James Glen Stovall, Writing for the Mass Media (6th edition), 2006.
You MUST bring this textbook to every class meeting.
Recommended Text:
The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, 2007 or 2008 edition.
Course Structure:
This class will be structured in a unique format. The class sessions will be divided into a lecture session typically occurring every Monday and two writing lab sessions typically occurring every Wednesday and Friday. The lecture will give you information you need to be successful in your writing lab sessions. The writing lab sessions give you practice in news writing and will provide supplemental instruction and practical application of the principles discussed in the lecture sessions.
Course Policies:
Attendance: Because the successful study and practice of media writing involves listening, writing, editing, evaluating and discussing you are expected to attend all class meetings. The University’s mandatory attendance policy states that there are no excused absences, regardless of the reason. Any absence does not excuse you from being responsible for the work you missed. A complete copy of the attendance policy is available in the student handbook. Your attendance will be recorded every class session. If you are late for class three times, you may expect to receive one absence.
Special Needs: Students who may have a disability meriting an academic accommodation should contact the Academic Affairs Office in GATL 114 to ensure that their needs are properly evaluated and that documentation is on file. Any accommodations for disabilities must be re-certified each semester by the Academic Affairs Office and the Special Accommodations Committee before course adjustments are made by individual instructors.
Grading Your Assignments: Assignments not turned in by the specified deadline will receive a zero. Each writing assignment will be graded based on accuracy, style, organization, creativity, and interest. I will provide you with specific instructions and requirements for each writing assignment.
Expected Behavior: One of the keys to success in this course is respect. Respect the instructor, respect your fellow classmates, and respect yourself. I expect you to be prepared and ready to focus on this class when you enter the classroom. Also, your cell phones and mp3 players cannot be used during class and should be turned off. Additionally, you cannot use the lab’s computers during class until instructed to do so. Your grade may be penalized at the instructor’s discretion if you participate in any disruptive behavior during class.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a very serious matter. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in immediate failure of this course. Plagiarism may also result in the dismissal from the University of the Cumberlands. Plagiarism includes the giving or receiving of unauthorized help on an exam, paper, or other academic assignment, in or out of the classroom; and the use of material of another source or person without giving proper credit. Ignorance of what constitutes plagiarism is no excuse for plagiarism. For more information, see attached statement on academic dishonesty.
Course Grades: All assignments will be evaluated according to the requirements stated in this syllabus and in-class, and will be weighed according to the following percentage system:
Major Writing Assignments……………………… 63%
In-Class Assignments & Homework………………… 17%
Quizzes…………..……………………. 10%
Final Exam………………..…………………. 10%
Grading Scale: A = 90-100; B = 89-80; C = 79-80; D = 69-60; F = 59-0
Course Assignments:
Major Writing Assignments: Seven major writing assignments will be given throughout the semester with strict deadlines. Each major writing assignment will be worth 9% of your final grade. Major writing assignments not turned in by the specified deadline will receive a zero. These important benchmark assignments require you to apply the major concepts from recent lectures and labs to create professional work suitable for publication and/or broadcast. These assignments will be evaluated as an editor would evaluate them at a professional media organization. I will provide you with specific instructions and requirements for each major writing assignment.
The seven major writing assignments are as follows: Print News Story, Feature Story, Online News Package, Radio Newscast, Advertisement/Public Service Announcement, Press Release, Media Review.
Major Writing Assignment Revision Policy: You have the option to revise each major writing assignment in order to improve your original score. However, some conditions apply. Assignments must be turned in on time. In other words, late assignments may not be revised. Revised assignments must be turned in during the next class meeting after they are returned. The original assignment must accompany the revised assignment. If you choose to revise an assignment your final grade for that major writing assignment will be an average of your original score and your revised assignment score.
In-class Assignments & Homework: The goal of this course is not to only for you to understand journalism and different forms of media writing, but for you to practically apply the techniques and principles discussed in the lecture. Therefore, almost two-thirds of the course time will be spent in the writing lab sessions. The lab assignments and exercises provide effective practical training for writing in a professional media environment. Therefore, it is very important that you try to attend every class session. I will provide you with specific instructions and requirements for each in-class assignment. In addition, occasional homework assignments will give you added practice in applying the concepts discussed during class. Both in-class assignments and homework assignments should be completed by the specified deadline and must be typewritten unless otherwise specified.
Final Exam: The final exam will cover the text and other reading materials, media, and lecture materials. It should be noted that the final exam will be comprehensive in nature. This final exam will be given during the regularly-scheduled final exam time ONLY.
Quizzes: During the semester a quiz will be given approximately every three weeks covering both the lecture and the text. The quiz questions will be primarily objective in nature. There will be five quizzes during the semester.
The instructor reserves the right to modify the course schedule and any grade requirements. Any changes will be announced during class meetings.
