The Fourth Branch of Government: Journalism

SYLLABUS Course Title: The Fourth Branch of Government: Journalism COURSE DESCRIPTION Students enrolled in Journalism write in a variety of forms for a variety of audiences and purposes. High school students enrolled in this course are expected to plan, draft, and complete written compositions on a regular basis, carefully examining their papers for clarity, engaging language, and the correct use of the conventions and mechanics of written English. In Journalism, students are expected to write in a variety of forms and for a variety of audiences and purposes. Students will become analytical consumers of media and technology to enhance their communication skills. Published work of professional journalists, technology and visual and electronic media are used as tools for learning as students create, clarify, critique, write, and produce effective communications. Students enrolled in Journalism will learn journalistic traditions, research self-selected topics, write journalistic texts, and learn the principles of publishing. COURSE OBJECTIVES By the end of the course students will be able to: interpret/critique visual representations, produce visual representations that communicate with others, incorporates photographs into journalistic publications, CONTACT INFORMATION Miss Veronica Gulledge TUTORING AND SCHEDULE MONDAY: TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY: THURSDAY: FRIDAY: 7:45 - 8:30 AM 3:50 - 4:15 PM 7:45 - 8:30 AM 7:45 - 8:30 AM 4:00 7:00 PM 7:45 - 8:30 AM 4:00 9:00 PM Tutoring Duty at the Flag Pole Tutoring Tutoring Scheduled Yearbook Work day Teacher PLC Meeting Scheduled Yearbook Work day vgulledge@mfisd.txed.net (512) 422-6811 for emergencies

Availability: If you need to meet with me during a non-tutoring time, just let me know and we can make arrangements. I have also attended YALE in the evening when students have asked to help with assignments. LUNCHES: I can be available during both lunches for assistance with assignments when needed WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA TECHNOLOGY: Website: To assist in student learning, I have created a classroom website. On this website students will find the class syllabus, assignments, videos related to classroom materials, and other resources. The website is:

www.mustangyearbook.com
Twitter: Students will also be able to follow the class on Twitter to get updates on class assignments, extensions, project information, or ask for help. Follow the class link @GulledgeJournal

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING Your grade will be based on the following factors: Assignments 40% Projects 60% REQUIRED MATERIALS Spiral Notebook/Journal 4th Period package of notebook paper

CLASS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: Cell Phone Policy: All students will turn off and turn in their cell phones at the beginning of each class. They will pick them up as they leave class for the day. We will also utilize cell phone and ipad technology during class, when this occurs, students will be allowed to retrieve their phones for classroom instruction. Telecommunications devices observed, heard or used without authorization during the school day, will be confiscated. The student and/or parent may pick up the confiscated telecommunications device from the principals office for a fee of $15. (This fee is set by the state legislature, not by MFHS funds are used for student services) Devices may not be picked up by the student on the day of confiscation until after 3:30 p.m. Food and/or Drinks: Food and drinks are NOT allowed in the classroom. Due to the abundance of electronic equipment, we cannot have food or drinks of any kind in the classroom. Homework Policy: Since the Journalism Field places a high priority on deadlines, late assignments will be accepted, but points will be deducted. If a student in absent or at a school related event, he or she is responsible for obtaining missed assignments. Projects are usually given a one to two week work period, therefore no late Projects will be accepted. Assignments Only Projects will NOT be accepted LATE 1 Day Late: 10 points 2 Days Late: 30 points 3 Days Late: Not accepted

Computer Lab: We will be using the computers frequently for this course. Students will use the computers in the classroom for school related activities ONLY. No games, no searches, etc., that are not related to a school assignment and or graduation requirements college searches, resumes, portfolios etc. As long as I am in the Lab, before and/or after school, students in my classes are allowed to use the computers for other courses they are taking. MISUSE OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AND THE INTERNET The Mustang Way does not allow students to: Violate policies, rules, or agreements signed by the student or the students parent regarding the use of technology resources. Attempt to access or circumvent passwords or other security-related information of the district, students, or employees or upload or create computer viruses, including off school property if the conduct causes a substantial disruption to the educational environment. Attempt to alter, destroy, or disable district technology resources including but not limited to computers and related equipment, district data, the data of others, or other networks connected to the districts system, including off school property if the conduct causes a substantial disruption to the educational environment.

Use the Internet or other electronic communications to threaten district students, employees, or volunteers, including off school property if the conduct causes a substantial disruption to the educational environment. Send, post, or possess electronic messages that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to anothers reputation, or illegal, including cyberbullying and sexting, either on or off school property, if the conduct causes a substantial disruption to the educational environment. Use e-mail or Web sites to engage in or encourage illegal behavior or threaten school safety, including off school property if the conduct causes a substantial disruption to the educational environment.

TARDY POLICY All students are expected to be in class with all necessary materials and ready to work prior to the ringing of the tardy bell. Students in the halls or outside of class at the time of the tardy bell ringing without proper written permission (notes, passes, etc.) will be subject to disciplinary action. Following the grace periods at the onset of each term, students will be held accountable for each tardy, regardless of the reason for the tardy. Students are reminded that lack of punctuality in the business world or in schooling after graduation will be scrutinized at a much greater level than in high school. Tardy policies are designed to teach students responsibility and prepare them for life after high school when tardiness to an interview, job or special meeting could have serious implications. Excessive tardiness will result in referral to the Grade Level Principal for more severe intervention and/or consequences. EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR Each student is expected to: Demonstrate courtesy and respect for others, even when others do not. Behave in a responsible manner, always exercising self-discipline. Attend all classes, regularly and on time. Prepare for each class; take appropriate materials and assignments to class. Meet district and campus standards of grooming and dress, as articulated in the MFISD student handbook. Obey all campus and classroom rules. Respect the rights and privileges of students, teachers, and other district staff and volunteers. Respect the property of others, including district property and facilities. Cooperate with and assist the school staff in maintaining safety, order, and discipline. . CLASS DISCUSSION BOARD: Students will periodically respond to discussions posted on the discussion board. Note that the Discussion Board is public: the messages can be read by anyone in the class. It is intended to be a place where intellectual cyber-exchanges about course material can take place. You are expected to be courteous and respectful to others in these conversations. No flaming allowed! A good rule to follow is: always pause and re-read your message before hitting Enter! Appropriate postings on the Discussion Board fall into the following categories: student postings required for a Discussion Assignment; postings to a "threaded discussion": an assigned threaded discussion calls for students to post messages on a topic;

COURSE OUTLINE We will be covering all of the following in the year-long journalism course. However, this is not ALL we will be covering. As the teacher, I have the discretion to add information and/or topics to the course throughout the year when I deem the material to be valuable to student education and in line with the course content. Course Title: The Fourth Branch of Government: Journalism 1. The History and Ethics of Journalism. a. identify the history and development of American journalism through people and events; b. identify the foundations journalistic ethics including; press law, copyright law, the fair use exemption, and the ownership of intellectual property c. The First Amendment d. distinguish between responsible and irresponsible media action 2. Introduction to the Different Types of Journalism Writing a. News, Feature, Sports, Editorial b. Brainstorming Coverage Ideas c. Applying the Elements of News to choose stories d. Selecting the best format of presentation 3. Introduction to Journalism Writing a. Locating Information Sources b. The Interview c. Headline Writing d. News Writing e. Feature Writing f. Sports Writing g. Editorial or Column Writing 4. The Basics of Design a. Design Elements into appropriate media b. Use various graphic elements c. Prepare a layout for publication d. Use photographs to communicate and emphasize e. Introduction to caption writing 5. Understand the Different Forms of Media a. Print b. Broadcast c. Online Media 6. Advertising a. General Salesmanship b. Advertising vs. propaganda c. Various Types of Advertising i. classified ii. display iii. public service iv. online advertising