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Literature, Communication & Media

LCM 285 NEWS MEDIA WORKSHOP Section 1

Fall 2009
SYLLABUS

Instructor: Chris Conkling

E-mail: cconkling@ajula.edu; ximmer8@socal.rr.com, 661 618 7620
Section 1: Wednesday 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Room 307

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

1. The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law

Norm Goldstein
2. Inside Reporting: A Practical Guide to the Craft of Journalism
Tim Harrower

COURSE OUTLINE:
Course Description
This course introduces basic journalistic skills with a heavy emphasis on news reporting
and writing. It is designed to improve students’ writing skills while putting out a quality
publication to both inform and entertain the entire AJU community. Students learn
through experience and short lectures. The goal is to provide the skills necessary to
become competent and productive staff members of The Casiano Chronicle, AJU’s only
mass media outlet.

THIS IS BOTH A WORKSHOP AND A CLASS, where one learns by doing, being
corrected, correcting and editing others, and by doing class work assignments in a more
typical learning atmosphere, where one receives grades for work performed. There will
be mandatory lesson time in each class.
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Course Objectives
• To continue to produce the highest quality issues the newspaper has seen to
date
• To improve writing skills
• To improve proofreading and grammar skills
• To learn the fundamentals of news writing and reporting

Class Requirements/Grades
Your grade is based on quality of work, promptness, reliability, helping out, completing
all assignments and getting your stories in on time. Failure to do any one of these things
will result in a reduction in your grade.

Articles: Every staff reporter must write a minimum of two 500-word stories per issue. At
times, work on layout, creating cartoons or photographs will compensate for these story
requirements. Stories are only accepted as Word documents. Stories usually should not
run over 750 words, however there are exceptions. All deadlines must be met, including
rewrites. A late story is not only a journalistic disgrace but also results in a lowered
grade..
Attendance: Attendance to every class is MANDATORY for all enrolled students. A
newspaper staff is a collaborative effort and as such your presence is crucial, both to the
success of the paper and to your successful grade. Workload for other classes does not
count as an excused absence. The only acceptable reason to miss class is an
emergency communicated in advance to either the editor in chief or the faculty advisor.

With advance notice, you may miss one class, but must make it up via writing an
extra article. On the second absence (except for extreme emergencies), your final
grade is dropped. Two tardies equal one absence.

Assignments: Several assignments are given out throughout the semester. These
include post mortems and editing. These assignments are basically little exercises to
teach you all the processes by which the paper is produced.

FALL SCHEDULE:
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DATE IN-CLASS / workshop Academic assignments

Wed - 9/9 Intro / Standards / Positions
Stories assigned
Wed - 9/16 In class editing // roundtable editing Quiz on standards in syllabus
Chapter 1: Inside (history)
Rewrites due by Thursday midnight:
These deadlines mean the rewrite should
be emailed to the assigned editor via email
by that date as well as to the editor and
faculty advisor (ximmer8@socal.rr.com).
Wed - 9/23 Final layout due / Hard copy editing Chapter 2: How newsrooms work

Wed 9/30 Issue One out: Chapter 3 first half (pg. 34-48):
Post Mortem / Assign new articles Basics / facts, leads, format

Wed - 10/7 In class editing // roundtable edits Chapter 3 (50-62) quiz

Wed - 10/14 Final edits and rewrites (see 9/18 Chapter 4: Reporting basics (66-
instructions in bold). 74)
Wed - 10/21 Hard copy editing: New Articles assigned Chapter 4: Interviewing (76-88)
Wed - 10/28 Issue Two out: Chapter 5: Crime, courts,
Post Mortem speeches, meetings, politics,
Round table, in class editing sports:
Rewrites due Thursday midnight (see 9/18
instructions in bold).
Wed - 11/4 MIDTERM
Hard copy editing:

Wed 11/11 Issue Three out: Post mortem CHAPTER 6: Features, Sidebars,
Articles assigned Graphics, Reviews
Wed -11/18 Chapter 7: Ethics
Round Table in class editing
Rewrites due Thursday Midnight (see 9/18
instructions in bold).
Wed 11/25 THANKSGIVING?

Wed - 12/2 Hard Copy Edits / to printer Chapter 8: Online issues

Chapter 9: Broadcast Journalism
quiz

Wed 12/9 Chapter 10: Public Relations

Issue Four out: Post mortem Course Evaluation
Wed 12/16 Finals week
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Writing Style for The Casiano Chronicle

Rules and Regulations

Formatting:
• ALWAYS use one space between sentences.
• In a series of 3 or more, do not use a comma before the “and.”
• Contractions are ONLY OK to use in Feature pieces, sometimes in Opinion
pieces, NEVER in News pieces.
• Do not center justify, it ruins the one space between sentences and words.
• Italicize ALL foreign words, including Hebrew and Yiddish words.
• Never use Bold Type or ALL CAPS, if you want to emphasize a word or
sentence, use italics.
• Remain consistent with all types of formatting throughout your articles, including
point-of-view.
rd
• Speaking of point-of-view, use 3 person POV ALWAYS for News articles, and
always remain unbiased in news articles, presenting both sides, and names of
people on opposing sides with equal respect.
• Use complete titles. Only capitalize titles that precede a name.
st
• Do not overuse 1 person narrative, and if you are going to use it, use it
correctly.
• Books: Titles in Italics, Essay, articles, or short story titles in “quotes.” Movies:
Film titles always in italics. Music: Album titles in Italics, song titles in quotes.

Quoting:
NEVER interview or quote a member of the newspaper staff. Unless
pertinent to issue (Get cleared first.)
Always spell names correctly (whether quoting or otherwise.)
Use full names on first reference; use ONLY last names after that.
New Quote = New Paragraph
Quotes are mandatory for ALL NEWS ARTICLES, and should be present in
most Opinion and Feature articles.
General Rules:
• Quoting works is a great way to provide evidence for any argument you may wish
to make. If you are going to argue something, evidence MUST BE presented in
your favor, whether it is from quotes or statistics. Quotes which simply relate
information are generally useless: “Then on Wedday, we started the new
classes,” said freshman Nayeli Chavez.
• It’s been stated but it bears repeating: REMAIN UNBIASED IN NEWS
ARTICLES. It can be hard to keep your own personal opinions out of what
is making news, but do try as having a bias makes the paper look
extremely unprofessional and juvenile. If you feel you must mention how
terrible an idea is, find someone else and report their feelings
accurately—but never insert your own in a news story.
• Spell out all numbers from one to nine; use figures for anything larger. Try not to
begin a sentence with a numeric. Not “1976 was the year when...” but rather
“In the year 1976...”
• Spell out all acronyms on first reference. ALWAYS. In some cases in first usage
spell out acronym followed by acronym in parenthesis.
• When sending your articles to us via email, ALWAYS include title and author and
section so we can tell which editor it goes to: news, features, opinion.
• If you plan on attacking the school or anything that you feel is wrong or stupid,
you must present suggestions for improvement, or how to right whatever you
are arguing against.
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PLAGIARISM

This has become a national plague and endangers not only the student’s future in the
school, but could results in lawsuits against the paper. There are four types:
1. You simply copy and paste without quote marks or citing sources--that is you
are trying to steal another’s work and claim it as your own. This is thievery, dishonest,
and intolerable.
2. You use quote marks but do not cite the source of the quoted material. This
may be less intentional than number 1, but it is still plagiarism.
3. You cite specific facts without a source. Very general facts, widely known
(9/11, 1492) may be used without sources, but any specific facts, “the 212 men who
landed on a Caribbean island in October of 1492” must tell us where you got the
specifics. Since a newspaper does not use standard MLA in-text citations, sometimes
writers think they do not have to cite sources. They must include something like
“According to the A.P news report . . . ” or (aju.edu) in parenthesis following the facts, or
in some way indicate source. Wikipedia is not an authorized source. You can find it
there, but verify it somewhere else and cite the source from the somewhere else, usually
called out in their footnotes. Look up the original source.
4. Paraphrasing facts and arguments too closely, even if you cite the source, is
plagiarism. That is, if you want to follow the original source, simply quote it accurately in
quote marks. Better, write down your notes, change the wording and order of the logic,
and rephrase entirely in your own words. Changing an occasional “and” or “of” is not
paraphrasing; it is plagiarism.

If you have questions about any issues or your deadline, ask your immediate editor
first, the editor in chief second, the advisor third. Follow this protocol.

Editorial Staff\ Positions

Editor-in-Chief:
The editor-in-chief is responsible for the entire editorial content of the paper. She or he
functions as the CEO, running meetings and managing the staff. The editor-in-chief has
both the power of and the responsibility for the paper.

Managing Editor/ Business Manager:

The managing editor works with the editor-in-chief and senior editors in developing
stories and providing feedback to reporters. The managing editor has a say in editorial
decisions and works to improve the quality and content of the overall paper. The
business manager sells ads, creates ads, collects revenue and is in charge of the
newspaper’s budget. She deals with all financial aspects of the paper, from purchases to
paying bills. This staff insures that the funds are allocated for all forthcoming bills and
that the paper stays within budget and no bills are outstanding at the end of the term.
The budget for the full year is approved at $4,000. (10 issues @ $400).

Production Manager:
The production manager develops protocols to move both art and stories through the
system on a timely basis, ensuring quality and consistency. He or she also keeps track of
attendance and deadlines and works with the editor-in-chief and advisor to determine
students’ final grades. This person also oversees the business manager and financial
issues.
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Senior Editor:
The senior editor, features, works with the editor-in-chief and managing editor in editing
stories and providing feedback to reporters. The senior editor also has a say in editorial
decisions and works to improve the quality and content of the overall paper. The senior
editor may work closely with individuals to improve their writing skills.

Layout Editors:
The layout editor is in charge of laying out the entire paper. She works with Adobe
PageMaker and has a big say in the look and design of the paper. She also helps with
all the technical aspects of the paper, including scanning and cropping art with the art
director and sending the paper in electronic format to the printer.

Art Director:
The art director selects the stories that are accompanied by art. She also helps with the
layout and design of the paper. The art director is also in charge of our photographers
and cartoonists, and gives them their assignments.

Copy Editor: The copy editor ensures consistency throughout the paper with both AP
and our own style. The copy editor and assistants proofreads the paper in its entirety
once it has been laid out to check for spelling and grammar errors, and also any
problems in the layout.

Senior Writers:
The writers suggest articles, do interviews and research and write original articles for
each issue of the paper, including, proofing grammar and spelling, checking and
verifying facts and accurate quotes, and editing before final draft is submitted.

Online Editor:
The online editor and staff work to make online editions of the paper a reality, including
working out technical issues, obtaining necessary approvals and band widths, links to
the AJU site, selling ads and all other related issues.

Cartoonist:/ Illustrator: Those with skills can do illustrations or political cartoons to be

published in the paper. Sometimes, a caption will be suggested for the illustrator to finish.

GRADING will be based on a formula:

1. Attendance.
2. Promptness
3. In class learning assignments and quizzes.

COURSE POLICIES:

1. Absence will affect your grade. Arriving late for class or leaving early is
equal to an absence. Because of personal emergencies, two absences are
allowed with no penalty if they make up the time with writing an extra
article per absence. A student’s grade may be lowered for more than two
absences. Four absences will result in a failing grade.
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In all cases, the instructor must be notified by email and phone before the
absence occurs! No absences are allowed for student leadership or social
functions!

2. No sounds and ringers on any electronic devices.

3. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. For
editing purposes, at least 2 hard copies of each article must be brought to
class on specified date.

AJU Mission Statement

Learning and Scholarship: We believe in the principle of Torah – learning as an

intellectual and inspirational endeavor – that embraces both academic scholarship and
the efforts of all Jews to explore their shared heritage through the formal and informal
study of Judaism and the other great civilizations of the world.

Culture: We acknowledge that Judaism is a flourishing civilization with a culture that is

fundamental to modern Jewish identity. We strive to advance that culture by
encouraging artistic endeavor in all of its many forms.

Ethics: We recognize that ethics is the language of Judaism and its most important link
to the world at large.

Leadership: We understand that the future of Jewish life depends on the careful
preparation of dedicated and impassioned individuals who are called to leadership.

Peoplehood: We are a pluralistic institution that embraces diversity within Judaism and
values the contributions of all groups to the growth of Jewish Civilization.

Students with Disabilities

American Jewish University is committed to assisting our students with documented

disabilities to have a successful career at AJU. Contact the Office of Student Affairs to
request accommodations and begin the documentation process. (See Enhancing
Accessibility and/or AJU website for complete policy.)

Standards of Academic Integrity

The Honor Code of American Jewish University was written by a committee of

undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and administrators. Under the Honor
Code, students have a two-fold obligation: individually, they must not violate the code,
and as a community, they are responsible to see that suspected violations are reported.

Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited, to the following definitions:

A. Examination Behavior: Unless expressly permitted by the instructor, the use of

external assistance during an exam shall be considered academically dishonest.
Inappropriate exam behavior includes but is not limited to: (1) communicating with
anyone in any way during an exam, (2) copying material from another student’s exam,
(3) allowing a student to copy from one’s exam, (4) using unauthorized notes,
calculators, or other sources of unauthorized assistance.

B. Fabrication: Any intentional falsification, invention of data, or citation in an academic

exercise will be considered to be academic dishonesty. Fabrication involves but is not
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limited to: (1) inventing or altering data for a laboratory experiment or field project, (2)
padding a bibliography of a term paper or research paper with sources one did not
utilize, (3) resubmitting returned and corrected academic work under the pretense of
grader evaluation error when, in fact, the work has been altered from its original form.

C. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the appropriation and subsequent passing off of another’s

ideas or words as one’s own. If the words or ideas of another are used,
acknowledgement of the original source must be made through recognized referencing
practices. Use of another’s ideas or words must be properly acknowledged as follows:
(1) Direct Quotation: Any use of direct quotation must be acknowledged by
footnote citation and by either quotation marks or proper indentation and
spacing.
(2) Paraphrase: If another’s ideas are borrowed in whole or in part and are
merely recast in the student’s own words, proper acknowledgement must,
nonetheless, be made. A footnote or proper internal citation must follow the
paraphrased material.

D. Other Types of Academic Dishonesty: Other forms of academic dishonesty

include, but are not limited to:
(1) Submitting a paper written by or obtained from another person.
(2) Using a paper or essay in more than one class without the instructors’
expressed permission.
(3) Obtaining a copy of an examination in advance without the knowledge and
consent of the instructor.
(4) Altering academic records outside of official institutional procedures.
(5) Using another person to complete academic assignments such as homework,
take-home exams or using another person posing as oneself to take classroom
examinations.