Photojournalism II Curriculum Guide Loudoun County Public Schools Eric Williams, Ed.D. Superintendent Dr. Terri Breeden Asst. Superintendent, Instruction Timothy J. Flynn Director, Instructional Services Dr. Michele Schmidt Moore English Supervisor
Introduction Loudoun County Public Schools offers two sequences of elective courses in the general field of journalism. Each course is a prerequisite for the one that follows it, as illustrated in the following chart: Journalism Newspaper Journalism I Newspaper Journalism II Newspaper Journalism III Photojournalism I Photojournalism II Photojournalism III Journalism is the basic course that is required for any student who wishes to work on the school newspaper or yearbook staffs. Newspaper Journalism teaches students the skills and knowledge they need to help produce the school newspaper. Photojournalism teaches students the skills and knowledge they need to help produce the school yearbook. As students progress to higher levels in either sequence of courses, they assume increased responsibility for the production of that school publication. The sequence of lesson units that follows is a result of curricular revisions made during 2005-2006. The revisions were necessitated by the addition of Newspaper Journalism III and Photojournalism III in the 2006-2007 school year. Detailed suggestions for teaching many of the units can be found in the 2002 version of this guide. These suggestions will be incorporated into this, the 2006 version, by the 2007-2008 school year.
Photojournalism II, Unit 1 General Press Law and Ethics learn the legal and ethical rights and responsibilities of a free press. Learn the difference between publication law and publication ethics Demonstrate how to credit photos and illustrations and to acknowledge photo manipulation Demonstrate an understanding of copyright laws. Define and identify obscenity and libel according to legal definitions Define the role of staff members in maintaining legal and ethical press standards.
Photojournalism II, Unit 2 Applied Yearbook Design learn design features that provide flexibility. Describe the aesthetic properties found in different designs Learn how to use modular design components. Demonstrate the flexibility that grid design offers when placing content elements and using white space. Identify content and design options available with a multi-story approach that integrates more photos and quick-read copy formats Demonstrate the characteristics and uses of single-page design and its opportunity for expanding coverage
Photojournalism II, Unit 3 Advanced Photography S recognize the procedures for implementing photo assignments. Demonstrate how to execute a schedule of photography assignments Demonstrate proper use of a darkroom and darkroom supplies Demonstrate proper care of cameras and other photo equipment Follow photo library procedures established by the editors Describe the photojournalism criteria for concept, composition, and technical skills to journalism I students Teach photojournalism I students how to crop pictures
Photojournalism II, Unit 4 Extended Yearbook Writing practice and extend their basic yearbook writing skills to include style, editing, and tone. Edit writing for correct journalistic style Demonstrate proficiency in a variety of journalistic writing styles Participate in establishing the tone of a publication through the editing process Identify and correct recurrent usage and mechanical errors in their own and others writing
Photojournalism II, Unit 5 Careers in Journalism S explore career options available to a person trained in journalism. Student will Identify characteristics of those suited for careers in journalism and related fields. Research career opportunities in the field of journalism Interview professional journalists or others who work with publications, with the goal of learning about career opportunities. Investigate the schooling or training needed for a career in journalism Identify post-secondary institutions that offer training in journalism
Photojournalism II, Unit 6 Use of Polls and Statistics learn to read, interpret, and evaluate the use of polls and statistics. Explain how to ensure a random sample for a survey or poll. Demonstrate ways to improve a systematic survey. Compare and contrast two methods of gathering data. Explain the data found in published polls and surveys. Evaluate the accuracy of data in published polls and surveys. Evaluate a writer s interpretation of poll and survey data.
Photojournalism II, Unit 7 Inclusion, Accuracy, and Fairness learn to cover the school s activities, events, and individuals in a balanced and comprehensive way. Learn to plan the content and coverage of the yearbook Demonstrate proficiency in a variety of feature writing styles Indicate a familiarity with the laws and ethics of journalism in content selection Analyze attitudes and biases of staff writers while editing and judge appropriateness Collect, organize, and analyze data for sufficient yearbook coverage
Photojournalism II, Unit 8 Advanced Interviewing Skills learn skills needed to conduct telephone, teleconference, press conference, and email interviews. Demonstrate speaking skills that are clear and judgmentally neutral in a telephone and teleconference setting Demonstrate acceptable methods of asking questions in a news conference situation Demonstrate how to correspond using email in a linguistically formal manner. Learn how to take notes in shorthand Learn how to archive email correspondence
Photojournalism II, Unit 9 Yearbook Plant Production learn the production stages of the yearbook once it arrives at the plant. Learn the principles of four-color printing Define and identify a printing signature Explain the relationship of production deadlines to signature printing. Define the various methods of printing a yearbook cover
Photojournalism II, Unit 10 Principles of Business Management learn business skills needed to manage a yearbook s budget. Write, revise, and edit business correspondence to a workplace standard Create ads that communicate effectively through text and design Demonstrate how to use financial spreadsheets and other database programs to track advertising, sales, and distribution of the yearbook Identify elements of the yearbook budget and demonstrate fiscal responsibility in yearbook decision-making Identify probable sources of over-budget expenses
Photojournalism II, Unit 11 Yearbook Staff Leadership learn the characteristics of effective staff leaders. Identify the processes needed to establish and maintain an effective staff structure.