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COURSE SYLLABUS

1. TITLE OF COURSE: Intermediate News Writing & Editing
  PREFIX/NUMBER: JOU 206 CREDIT HOURS: 3
2. PREREQUISITE: JOU 106 or Permission of the Instructor.
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RESOURCES NEEDED:

 

TEXT:

 Associated Press Stylebook and Manual
revised edition, July 2002
 

SUPPLIES:

 Floppy Disk for saving assignments
4.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

  This course presents how to gather information as an investigative reporter through research of local, state and federal government publications, how to cover police beat and city hall, how our courts and regulatory agencies function and how to cover other challenges such as the environment, religion, science, medical, public safety and business.
5.

COURSE GOAL:

 To refine newspaper writing skills as well as interviewing techniques, and develop copy editing skills, an understanding of journalism ethics and news judgement. Develop skills in public affairs and investigative writing.
6. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
    By the end of the course, students will:
 
Possess the necessary knowledge and skills to organize information and write basic news stories.
 
Understand professional journalism practices
 
Define what constitutes news
 
Understand the relationship between the Right to Privacy and the Publics Right to Know
 
Define libel
     
7. EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
  Assignments: 60% of the final grade will consist of writing assignments, The majority of assignments will be completed during the class sessions and on deadline, however, a limited number of assignments may be required outside of class time.

Writing assignments will be graded on both mechanics (use of AP style, spelling, grammar, syntax, ect.) and style (format, word choice, accuracy, solid leads, ect.) Practice assignments may be used as a learning tool at the discretion of the instructor.

  Exams and Quizzes:  30% of the final grade will consist of exams and quizzes.

Attendance: 10% of the final grade will be based on class attendance.

    Grading Scale
Raw Score Range		 Letter Grade
    90 to 100 A
    80 to 89 B
    70 to 79 C
    60 to 69 D
    0 to 59 F
Special Remarks:

1.

Attendance: College policy states that students may be dropped from enrollment when absent 20% of the scheduled class meetings. If enrolled from the beginning of the term, 15 hours will usually constitute 20% of a four-credit semester course, which meets five hours per week. Reinstatement procedures are described in the PCC Catalog.

2.

Tardy Policy:  A student who is late three times (enters a classroom after the instructor has taken roll) will be charged with one full absence unless the student can provide valid reasons for one or more of these tardies.

3.

Assignments/ Missed Exams: It is the student's responsibility, whether present or absent, to obtain all material presented and to complete  all course assignments. If prior arrangements are made or extenuating circumstances exist, makeup tests may be allowed. late homework papers will not be accepted unless those same extenuating circumstances exist. makeup of quizzes is to be at the instructor's discretion.

8. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
  The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Pueblo Community College has adopted a policy of academic conduct as described in the Student Handbook.  Violation of academic integrity may be defined to include the following: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic material, complicity in academic dishonesty, and personal misrepresentation. it is the student's responsibility to be aware of the behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. Sanctions for violating the standards of academic integrity may include warning, probation, suspension, and/or failure of the source of assignment at the discretion of the instructor.
9.

ADA NOTICE:

Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.