Class meets: 10:10 a.m. - noon (T,Th), 215 Reid Hall
Rockbridge Report: 1:25 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Th), 314 Reid Hall
(Students will be scheduled to attend several sessions throughout the term.)
Professor:
Dr. Claudette Guzan Artwick
304 Reid Hall
540-458-8865
On Twitter @artwickc
Textbook:
Artwick, C. (2004). Reporting and Producing for Digital Media
AP Online Stylebook Access through your library login.
Welcome to J202, where you’ll learn the concepts and practices of digital news reporting. Using some of the latest technological tools, you will develop skills for reporting in a digital, multimedia environment. We will continue to build a solid journalistic foundation, honing your reporting and writing abilities while developing news judgment, a professional ethic, and journalistic responsibility. You’ll also report on deadline and work productively with colleagues in the field and in the newsroom.
Course Structure: We’ll meet class twice per week. In addition, you’ll contribute to the Rockbridge Report lab several times during the term as a newsroom and field reporting assistant. Outside of class, you’ll be working on developing digital newsgathering and storytelling skills.
Expectations:
1) In-class assignments. You are expected to complete in-class assignments during our class meetings. If you must miss class due to illness or other valid commitment, contact Artwick before class to discuss possible options. See ‘assignments’ for details and point values.
2) Outside assignments. Complete this work as designated on the course schedule. Find details in ‘assignments.’
3) Deadlines. Deadlines are a way of life for journalists, and this course will prepare you for what’s to come. We’ll write to a deadline during class and for the Rockbridge Report. A story that misses its deadline will receive a one-grade penalty for the first minute late, and for each subsequent day late for out-of-class assignments. It’s your responsibility to keep track of assignments and due dates.
4) Midterm. This exam will cover course content covered during the first half of the term.
5) Rockbridge Report. Students will spend several Thursday afternoons (1:25-4:30 p.m.) working for the Rockbridge Report television and online productions. This will involve assisting in the field and the newsroom, and may include researching and writing stories, shooting and editing digital stills and video, creating graphics and slide shows for the website, working in the studio and control room, and more--depending on your initiative. A schedule will be posted to the course website the second week of class.
6) Professionalism. Your work in this class will reach the public. You and Washington and Lee will be judged by its accuracy, maturity, and thoroughness. Please keep this in mind in all that you do.
Grading: Projects will be graded on the following elements:
Reporting. This includes initiative in generating stories, fairness, pursuit of truth, sourcing, and quality and depth of newsgathering.
Writing. Organization, clarity, accuracy, fairness, style, and mechanics are included in this area.
Technical quality. This includes functional links and interactive features, clean audio, well shot and edited video, proper lighting, focus, and composition for still photos. A story that does not meet minimum technical standards will not be published on the website or broadcast on Channel 18.
Medium-appropriate treatment. Is the story told in a way that is appropriate to the medium? For example, if you cover a parade for the Web, you’ll want to feature photos or a video rather than strictly text.
Grade composition
See ‘assignments’ for point values. To calculate your letter grade for each assignment, divide points earned by total possible points.
A+ 98%-100% of total possible points, A 94-97%, A- 90-93%, B+ 87-89%, B 84-86%, B- 80-83%, C+ 77-79%, C 74-76%, C- 70-73%, D+ 67-69%, D 64-66%, D- 60-63%, F Below 60%
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