Fall 2017 Schedule

FALL  2017 Schedule *****updated*****

JOURN 300/CAREY — Tuesday/Thursday 4 – 6 p.m. - Integrative Learning Center S413

This is a tentative schedule of topics, assignments and assignment deadlines subject to revision to accommodate the news, campus goings-on that we’ll attend and classroom visitors. Check Moodle and the blog (Journ300.blogspot.com) for updates and changes. Note: Each day two or more students will bring in an article to discuss and share an AP Style tip. One person will also bring in a news quiz. We’ll develop a schedule for these. Note that at the end of this schedule is a list of assignments and percentage of final grade each is worth. 

SEPT 5 - Introduction - discuss leads, effective interviewing, AP Style and (briefly) the nutgraph. Email to me

at maryelizacarey@gmail.com TONIGHT 500 words about the first day of class. Should have a good lead and at least one direct quotation.

FOR NEXT CLASS: To hand in next class, a WRITTEN list of three potential speeches/presentations we can visit on campus, ASAP in the next couple of weeks preferably during class time. (We will be writing the 650-word SPEECH paper about whichever speech we attend.) In the written list that you bring into class on Thursday, include 1) who is giving the speech and 2) the topic, where/when it is being held, a brief couple of sentences of background information about the speaker and, if possible, the topic. We’ll pick one of the speeches you’ve identified to attend. NEXT: Read Chapter 8 on the Inverted Pyramid (and the LEAD)

SEPT 7 - The Lead and the Nutgraph Review leads, chapters, determine where and when we can go to a speech; determine which classmate you will interview on what subject and prepare questions. NEXT: Read Chapter 3 on interviewing

SEPT 12 - The Interview: In groups of 3-4, one student will interview another on a subject of his/her choice while a third student videotapes it using a phone or camera. Keep it around 3 minutes or under. We’ll upload them to YouTube and analyze them. (Here are some interviewing tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmHjXA8QtfY)

SEPT 14  - Analyze interviewing videos, discuss elements of a good mini-profile NEXT:Write a mini-profile of a classmate based on interview and follow-up questions. Include a photo that adds value to your story, for example more information, details or illustration. NEXT: Read Chapter 4 on Quotations and Attributions

SEPT 19: Continue to analyze  interviewing videos, if not finished.  Discuss chapters, how to write a speech story. If time, start blogs.

• TURN IN HARD COPY OF FIRST ASSIGNMENT: 400-500 written piece with photo based on your interview of a classmate. (5 percent of final grade) 
• NEXT: READ: Chapter 14 on Speeches, News Conferences and Meetings
• NEXT: Write a brief profile pitch to present in class Thursday Sept. 26. Tell us who you plan to write about, what the angle likely will be, who else you can interview about your subject. It should be about a local person and NOT a family member or friend.)

SEPT 21 ******update: ATTEND Kate Fagan event************ 4-6 p.m., Massachusetts Room, Mullins Center

SEPT 26 SPEECH PAPER on Kate Fagan event DUE (10 percent of grade)

• Present PROFILE PITCH
• NEXT:  Bring in to peer edit next class a 500-word, written “pre-first draft” profile with lead, nutgraph and quote(s). 
• Discuss feature stories. 

SEPT 28   *****update: 

• PEER EDIT hard copies of profile  pre-first drafts.
• NEXT: Read Chap. 9 on Writing to be Read

OCT 3: ****update**** In-class, deadline writing assignment: In your groups, interview 2-4 people EACH on campus on subject TBA; write 500 word story on-deadline with quotes from each of your sources and photos with cutlines. (5 percent of total grade)

OCT 5 -  FIRST DRAFT PROFILE DUE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) Peer edit, work on blogs.

• NEXT: Read Chapter 10 on Alternatives to the Inverted Pyramid
• NEXT: Write Feature Pitch for next class. 

OCT 10: NO CLASS/FOLLOW MONDAY SCHEDULE

OCT 12 ****update: visit from UMass All Star/Greenfield Recorder reporter Aviva Luttrell****

• FEATURE PITCH 
• If time, work on blogs. 
• NEXT: write 500-word feature PRE-first draft to peer edit next class. 

OCT 17  Peer edit PRE-first draft Feature stories. 

OCT 19  In-class deadline assignment/(5 percent of total grade) 

OCT 24  FINAL DRAFT PROFILE DUE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT, 10 percent of total grade)  

• REVIEW FOR MID-TERM on readings, class presentations and common Ap Style points
• In-class work on features.

OCT 26 

• MID-TERM
• Discuss potential Issue paper topics & interviews with 2-3 "experts." NEXT: Read Chapter 5 on Gathering and Verifying Information

OCT 31 

• Discuss mid-term answers
• Work on features and blogs 

NOV 2 Massachusetts Open Meeting Law 

• FIRST DRAFT FEATURE DUE (1,000) words. 
• Firm up issue story ideas. 
• NEXT: Write issue pitch to present next class. 
• NEXT: Read Chapter 19 on Media Law

NOV 7  Issue pitch. 

• WRITE: 500-word Issue PRE-First Draft to peer edit next class. 

NOV 9 Peer edit Issue pre-first drafts. 

• Final FEATURE DUE (1,000 words, 15 percent of total grade)

NOV 14 FIRST DRAFT ISSUE (1,000 words with 4 voices, 2 of whom are "experts") due. 

• Discuss Massachusetts Open Meeting Law.
• NEXT: Read Chapter 20 on Media Ethics

NOV 16  Possible In-class deadline assignment

NO CLASS NOV 21 and 23/ THANKSGIVING BREAK

NOV 28 FINAL ISSUE PAPER DUE. (1,000 words 20 percent of total grade) 

• Review for FINAL QUIZ. 

NOV 30 END OF SEMESTER QUIZ

• Discuss summary/analysis writing. 

DEC 5 In-class deadline assignment: Watch film and write ANALYSIS (10 percent of final grade) on deadline, due at end of class.

DEC 7 - Wrap-up, finish work on group blogs

DEC 12  LAST DAY OF CLASS/ recap/ Final blogs presentations

**********GRADED ASSIGNMENTS AND FINAL GRADE CALCULATION ***********

Articles/AP tips/worksheets/blogs 5 percent – You will be responsible for all information on the chapter worksheets posted on the blog. Several times a semester you will present an article to the class as well as an AP Tip. A written summary of these is due on the day you present them. Classmates will create blogs in Wordpress. 

Interviews with your classmate (video and written) 5 percent – You will interview a classmate and the class will analyze a videotape of the interview. A short written piece is due using material from the interview and other reporting. 

Speech paper – 10 percent – A well-organized 650-750-word speech story based on a presentation that the class attends, including comments from 2-3 audience members. Must have a strong lead, nutgraph and direct quotes from the speaker. 

Deadline assignment 1– 5 percent – Pairs of classmates will conduct interviews on campus on a topic to be determined and write a 600 word piece with photos on deadline. Due by the end of class. 

Deadline assignment 2– 5 percent – Topic TBA. Due by the end of class.

Profile – 10 percent – A well-researched, multi-voice, 1000-word profile of a local person. Mandatory pre-first draft and first draft in addition to the final draft.

Midterm – 5 percent - Covers chapters and other readings, class discussions and common AP Style points

Feature – 15 percent – A lively 1,000-word piece, most likely with a scenario lead about a place, group, trend or event with four voices minimum and photos. Mandatory pre-first and first draft in addition to the final draft.

Issue – 20 percent - A well-researched 1,000 word piece on an issue of concern to the public. Must have a minimum of four voices, two of whom are “experts” on the subject, for instance a doctor, researcher or professor. 

Film Analysis/deadline assignment – 10 percent – You will watch a short film and write an analysis of in on deadline. Not a simple summary. Due by the end of class.

Final - 10 percent - Covers chapters and other readings, class discussions and common AP Style points