Photojournalism I, II, & III

COURSE SYLLABUS
Mrs. Leslie Stevens (Room 106)
Journalism Teacher and Yearbook Adviser

Welcome To Photojournalism:
You have signed up for the ride of your life publications! The work is fast paced, exciting, and
challenging, but it can also be difficult, frustrating, and stressful. In short, it is like the real world. The staff
responsibilities, therefore, require that students be responsible and hardworking. Members must write
stories, take pictures, create layouts, and use a variety of computer programs. These duties are easy because
the assignments are made well in advance. Students receive ample time to get their assignments finished,
but those who wait until the last minute must work harder to catch up (sometimes after school and on
weekends). Other situations, not the fault of students, may cause weekend work, such as multiple snow
days, server failures, etc. As noted earlier, the publishing class is like the real world.
The hardest part of this class is to get all the assignments done ON TIME. In the publishing world, time is
money. Missed deadlines result in extra charges, loss of package deals, and delays in book delivery.
Missing deadlines also result in failing grades. For each deadline missed, the staffer will receive a 0 and
will not be able to change it. The failing grades for late work affect no one but the individual staff member,
but the lost days affect the cost and quality of the publication for the entire student body and the budget on
the next edition.

V irgin ia Stan dards o f Learn in g f o r Jo u rn al ism :

J.1
J.2
J.3
J.4
J.5
J.6
J.7
J.8
J.9
J.10
J.11
J.12
J.13
J.14
J.15
J.16

Demonstrate proficiency in a variety of journalistic writing styles.

Explain or demonstrate how writing for electronic media differs from writing for print media.
Describe or demonstrate good design techniques. The techniques may be for advertisements,
newspapers, magazines, or yearbooks.
Participate in planned the content and tone of a publication or broadcast.
Evaluate journalistic projects. These include his/her own work, the work of fellow students and the
work of other staffs in both the professional and student media.
Demonstrate proficiency in interviewing.
Write articles based on research. These articles may be based on library research, interviewing,
student populations published surveys, and/or consumer reports.
Demonstrate proficiency in editing.
Correctly use copyreaders and proofreaders symbols.
Demonstrate familiarity with photography and uses of photography in journalism.
Explain or demonstrate business management procedures relevant to journalism.
Analyze the biases of writers or broadcasters.
Indicate familiarity with the terms laws, ethics, and history of journalism.
Demonstrate the application of journalism to his/her work in other classes.
Demonstrate how journalism assignments have required the use of skills he/she had learned in other
classes.
Describe the uses of computers in journalism.

Co u rse O B JE CTIV E S:
Photojournalism I:
1.
Demonstrate mastery of the Virginia Standards of Learning in Journalism.
2.
Practice creative, proactive, independent and critical thinking.

3.
4.
5.

Produce journalistically sound work that is contemporary and engaging.

Practice cooperative learning, synergy, and shared inquiry.
Publish the articles in the newspaper and yearbook.

Co u rse O B JE CTIV E S:
Photojournalism II, III, and IV:
1.
Design section styles and/or templates used by the rest of the staff.
2.
Plan page allotment and coverage.
3.
Evaluate staff work and make suggestions for improvement.
4.
Plan the publications look according to contemporary trends and budget.
5.
Demonstrate troubleshooting skills.
6.
Accept the power, responsibilities, demands and consequences of leadership.

Tim el in e o f A ssign m en ts:

Photojournalism I: Beginning class to introduce basic photojournalism concepts including terms,
theme, photography, writing standards, design techniques
First Nine Weeks:
Second Nine Weeks:

Elements of Yearbook, Theme, and Writing Unit

Continue Writing Unit (captions, copy and headlines)
and begin Photography Unit

Third Nine Weeks:

Continue Photography Unit and begin Design Unit

Fourth Nine Weeks:

Continue Design Unit, Libel Unit, Putting it all Together

Photojournalism II / III / IV: Continuance of photojournalism basics; major responsibility will be to

help to complete the yearbook and the design and completion of spreads; will also consist of all
editors (editor in chief, copy editor, section editor, photo editor, design editor, business editor)
First Nine Weeks:
Second Nine Weeks:

Theme and Design for Dividers, All Sections, and

Cover/Endsheet, Begin Ad Sales
Continue Ad Sales (Finalize all designs and cover)
Begin Deadline 1

Third Nine Weeks:

Work on Deadline 1, 2, 3

Fourth Nine Weeks:

Work on Deadline 4, 5, 6, Final Project

Gradin g:
Photojournalism I will earn grades based on:

Attendance and work ethic

Quizzes (Lectures, Terms, Basic yearbook information)

Homework (Tip sheets and Snapshots)

Tests (Final unit tests)

Articles (yearbook)

Projects (Captions, Leads, Copywriting, Photography, Design, Libel)

Photojournalism II. III, and IV will earn grades based on:

Attendance and work ethic

Homework (Tip sheets and Snapshots)

Spreads for yearbook (25 points per mini-deadline; 100 points for final)

Proofing yearbook pages and editing Photo I articles

Various tests and quizzes
Ad Sales

Makeu p Po l icy:
Students will be given most, if not all, of their assignments well in advance of their due dates.
All projects and articles for PHOTO I are given at least two weeks before they are due.
Spread assignments for PHOTO II /III/ IV are given at the beginning of the school year. Please plan in
advance.
Snapshots and Tip sheets are ALWAYS due on the Fridays that the class meets (unless otherwise specified in
class).
If for some reason, a student is absent on the day an assignment is due, it is to be turned in the next day the
student is at school (not on the next class day).
For tests and quizzes, the student will have FOUR days to make up the test or quiz (2 class days and 2 nonclass days). Failure to make up a test or quiz will result in a zero.
Deadlines are crucial to successfully completing the class. Missing a deadline will always result in a zero
and deadlines CANNOT be made up even if the assignment is turned in late.

Cl ass W eb site:
All projects, handouts, and rubrics, along with the daily agenda, are located at this
website: www.tahsphotojournalism1.weebly.com
You can also use your phone to scan the code to the right !

Cl assro o m Ru l es:
Because of the structure of this class and the job we need to finish, you will have more freedom than you
may have in other classes. The understanding is that you have a job to do, and I trust you to complete it and
to complete it on time. Do not take advantage.
The rules are broken into two categories: ALWAYS and NEVER.
ALWAYS be in the room when class starts. If not, you are tardy. Four tardies results in a referral.
ALWAYS be willing to put in extra time. That extra time may be before school, after school, on deadline
nights, in the evenings or on weekends. I expect you to complete quality work on time and be willing to
help others.
ALWAYS ask for help when you need it. Do not fake itwe will have to redo it.
ALWAYS find out the facts and report them accurately. Never guess or substitute information. This goes
double for spelling of names. All quotes must be signed and dated. Answers that are written out to
questions you give the interviewee must also be signed and dated. Be accurate and document everything!!
ALWAYS remember that the book is for the entire school. Be constantly concerned with including
everyone. After all, it is their book! We will use a Hit and Miss Chart for pictures.

ALWAYS respect other staffers: their ideas, beliefs, and opinions. You do not have to agree with them; you
do need to respect them.
NEVER neglect getting your work done. Do what you need to do outside of class on your own time. Do not
wait to the last minuteit shows.
NEVER skip out early or leave during class time without specifically telling Mrs. Stevens where you are
going. Do not take advantage of your freedom. Remember: what is easily given can also be easily taken
away!
NEVER MISS A DEADLINE. Remember that many people depend on you to get your work finished on time.
If you do not, it holds everyone up. THERE IS NO REASON TO MISS A DEADLINE. Your grade and our
delivery date depend on it.
NEVER let okay be good enough. Your name is on it!!
NEVER work on other assignments during class down time WITHOUT permission. This includes computer
games and internet surfing.
NEVER use your cell phone in class. If you need to make a call about an ad sale, you may use the phone in
the yearbook room.

Fin al th o u gh ts:
Completing the Crag is a tremendous project that will require extra time, patience, and cooperation among
staff members. It will also require personal dedication, motivation, creativity, and a sense of humor. You
face an experience unlike any other that you will have in school.
The payoff for all your work is a great sense of accomplishment. Unlike your academic classes, you will be
able to hold the finished printed product in your hands and say, This is what we did. That product will be
around for a very long time. That is one good reason to put your best effort into this product. This can also
be one of the most extensive training grounds provided for you in your high school career. You can get
hands-on experience in desktop publishing, journalistic writing, photography, design, advertising, sales,
budget, and time management.
As staff members, your job is preserving this school year for the entire student body. By creating the Crag,
you are creating a product for the community, the school, and the students. The book will serve as a
constant reminder of the school year and the importance of the events of that year.
There are a few things that I strongly believe:

Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

I ask a lot of you but no more than I am willing to do myself.

Do not shirk your responsibilitiesit is important to meet all deadlines.

Any job, big or small, do it right or not all.

Goals dont work unless you do.

We are in this together, and I am very excited about this years yearbook. I hope to maintain that
excitement, and I hope that you will too. Thank you in advance for your dedication to The Crag. Its going
to be a great year!

Welcome to the staff of the award-winning Crag!!

2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 VHSL Trophy Class
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 CSPA Gold Medalist (All Columbian Honors)
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 NSPA All-American (5 Marks of Distinction)
2009 CSPA Silver Crown
2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 NSPA Pacemaker