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| Section 2: 12:15 to 1:55 p.m. MW, 312 OEC
Instructor |
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SAMPLE SYLLABI HOME | BUNTON 1 2 3 4
Course Description and Objectives: This course will introduce you to various types of mass media writing — print and broadcast journalism, public relations, advertising and online media. Along the way, we'll build skills in information gathering, interviewing, organizing, writing and revising our own media writing, and in judging the quality of current media writing.
Required Reading and Supplies: Three books are required for this course: The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual (1994 or later edition) edited by Goldstein, When Words Collide (4th edition) by Kessler and McDonald, and Writing Across the Media by Bunton, Connery, Kanihan, Neuzil and Nimmer. In addition to buying these books, you must buy a 3.5-inch Macintosh-formatted computer disk. Bring both the disk and your books to every class meeting.
Participation and Attendance: There are no points for attendance, but because in-class assignments can't be completed outside of class, it stands to reason that missing class will lower your grade. There are no make-ups for missing in-class assignments or quizzes, so please make careful choices about your attendance and accept the responsibility for those choices. Exceptions to the no make-up policy will be granted only for serious illnesses (verified by a physician's note), grave family emergencies (deaths, funerals, etc., verified by appropriate documentation) and school-sponsored activities (verified by a coach or faculty member). If you believe your absence should be excepted from the no make-up policy due to one of these reasons, you must contact me before the class period you miss. Voice mail and e-mail work at all hours of the day and night, so leave a message using one of those forms of technology if you can't reach me personally, then follow up later with documentation.
Academic Honesty: I will not tolerate academic dishonesty in any form — whether it is failure to credit the source of an idea paraphrased in a story you write, or cheating on a quiz, or fabricating information and presenting it as your own. Academic dishonesty is grounds for an automatic F in the course.
Deadlines: All out-of-class assignments are due at the beginning of class, and all in-class assignments are due at 1:55 p.m., which is the end of the class period. Assignments not turned in by these deadlines will lose a minimum of 10 percent of their point value for missing the deadline. The number of points penalized for late assignments will increase by 10 percent for each 24 hours later they are turned in. Assignments will not be accepted after they are a week late.
Grading: Grades in this course will be figured on a straight percentage basis. That means your final grade is based on the percentage of the total points you earn. The grading will follow this scale:
SAMPLE SYLLABI HOME | BUNTON 1 2 3 4
100 - 93% A 82 - 80% B- 69 - 67% D+
92 - 90% A- 79 - 77% C+ 66 - 63% D
89 - 87% B+ 76 - 73% C 62 - 60% D-
86 - 83% B 72 - 70% C- below 60% F
Media writing is clear, concise, direct and factual. Therefore, assignments will be graded with an emphasis on content. Content includes good writing skills such as clarity, organization, use of materials to support your conclusions, and selection and organization of facts. Assignments also will be graded closely for mechanical accuracy, which is critical to all kinds of media writing. Mechanical accuracy includes spelling, grammar and usage, punctuation and correct style.
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