Wallingford Public Schools - HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OUTLINE Course Title: Journalism Course Number: A 0153 Department: English Grade(s): 9-12 Level(s): Academic Credit: 1 Course Description This course emphasizes the skills and knowledge required to produce a newspaper and contributes to the production of the school s newspaper. Students will conduct interviews, write in a variety of journalistic forms, discuss editorial positions, and help produce and edit the newspaper using desktop publishing. Business management skills, essential to the selfsufficiency of a newspaper, will be emphasized. Students may also have opportunities to explore a variety of journalistic fields, such as writing for the web and broadcast journalism. Required Instructional Materials Completion/Revision Date Adopted by Board of Education October 18, 2004 Mission Statement of the Curriculum Management Team The mission of Language Arts Curriculum Management Team is to ensure that all students develop a high level of proficiency and independence in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing, enabling them to become lifelong, effective communicators in a culturally diverse society. Enduring Understandings for the Course Ethics are essential in journalism and life. A free press is a founding principle of journalism and democracy. Journalists write with different purposes in mind. There is a process to gathering news. People rely on a variety of resources to obtain information. Listening and accurate note-taking skills are critical for learning, communicating, and writing People communicate through writing. Written communication and proper grammar mechanics promote fluency of communication. Journalism Page 1 of 6
1.0 Legal and Ethical Considerations A free press is a founding principle of journalism and democracy. Ethics are essential in journalism and life. LEARNING OBJECTIVES The student will: 1.1 Understand First Amendment Rights. 1.2 Compare court decisions in regard to high school journalism. 1.3 Examine ethical lapses in modern journalism. 1.4 Support articles with fair and balanced reporting. 1.5 Evaluate the validity of sources to authenticate research and answer generated questions. 1.6 Examine conflicts of interest. Student Press Law Center (www.splc.org) NY Times self-study- Jayson Blair Controversy 60 Minutes report on Stephen Glass Shattered Glass (VHS/DVD) Cooperative Learning Oral presentations Group projects Graphic organizers Independent reading Quizzes/ tests Writing journals Projects Oral or multimedia presentations Journalism Page 2 of 6
2.0 Types of News Writing Journalists write with different purposes in mind. Written communication and proper grammar mechanics promote fluency of communication. There is a process to gathering news. People rely on a variety of resources to obtain news information Ethics are essential in journalism and life. 2.1 Conduct research and interviews. 2.2 Generate questions. 2.3 Determine which sources are appropriate to the task. 2.4 Integrate and elaborate upon research in a final product. 2.5 Evaluate the validity of sources to authenticate research and answer questions generated. 2.6 Demonstrate accuracy in interviewing and note taking. 2.7 Write/ compose in a variety of journalistic styles adhering to a deadline: News Event articles Features Sports Photojournalism Music or movie review Opinion/editorial 2.7 Incorporate technology as a tool for writing. 2.8 Adhere to standard forms of English 2.9 Adhere to appropriate journalistic style and styles specific to your newspaper. 2.10 Use language appropriate to purpose, Cooperative learning Graphic organizers Independent reading Quizzes/ tests Writing articles Journalism Page 3 of 6
3.0 Presentation and Layout Written communication and proper grammar mechanics promote fluency of communication. 3.1 Revise and edit their work and the work of their peers. 3.2 Use desktop publishing software. 3.3 Transfer word documents to desktop publishing software. 3.4 Recognize elements of message design. 3.5 Incorporate technology as a tool for writing. 3.6 Adhere to standard forms of English 3.7 Adhere to appropriate journalistic style and styles specific to your newspaper. 3.8 Use language appropriate to purpose, Cooperative learning Oral presentation Group projects Graphic organizers Independent reading Quizzes/ tests Writing articles Projects Oral or multimedia presentations Journalism Page 4 of 6
4.0 Business Management 4.1 Contact business persons to obtain advertisements for the newspaper. 4.2 Understand the importance of advertising funds to the function of an independent student newspaper. 4.3 Design an advertisement using appropriate message design. 4.4 Incorporate technology as a desktop publishing tool. 4.5 Review advertisements for accuracy. 4.6 Complete a written contract with an area businessperson. 4.7 Compose a business letter and cover letter using proper form. 4.8 Adhere to standard forms of English 4.9 Use language appropriate to purpose, Cooperative learning Projects Oral or multimedia presentations Journalism Page 5 of 6
5.0 Portfolio Journalists write with different purposes in mind. Written communication and proper grammar mechanics promote fluency of communication. There is a process to gathering news. People rely on a variety of resources to obtain news information. 5.1 Collect examples of their work in a portfolio News Features Sports Photojournalism Music or movie review Opinion/editorial 5.2 Evaluate and track their learning through the use of a portfolio. 5.3 Compare their work with the work of others. 5.4 Write about their work and the work of others. 5.5 Distinguish important assignments and choose exemplar work. 5.6 Work in cooperative groups to Discuss work Draw conclusions Respect others work and opinions 5.7 Identify the unique and shared qualities of each other s work. 5.8 Clarify understanding of work by identifying inconsistencies and ambiguities. 5.9 Develop challenging goals. 5.10 Adhere to standard forms of English 5.11 Use language appropriate to purpose, Oral presentation Self evaluation Rubric Writing Oral presentation Portfolio Journalism Page 6 of 6