Upper-division Writing Requirement Review Form (12/1/08)
I. General Education Review – Upper-division Writing Requirement
Dept/Program
Course # (i.e. ANTH
RTV
360
Subject
455) or sequence
Course(s) Title
Advanced Broadcast Reporting
Description of the requirement if it is not a single course
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office.
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Instructor
2/2/2009
Denise Dowling
Phone / Email
Denise.dowling@umontana.ed
406-243-4143
u
Program Chair
Ray Ekness
III Overview of the Course Purpose/ Description
Radio and television reporting including writing, interviewing, news gathering and preparation
of radio and television news stories.
IV Learning Outcomes: Explain how each of the following learning outcomes will be achieved.
Expand areas of reporting expertise
Student learning outcomes :
including hard news, breaking news, issues,
Identify and pursue more sophisticated
politics and conflicts.
questions for academic inquiry
Gather information on multiple angles of
Find, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize
each news story, giving proper weight to
information effectively from diverse sources
(see http://www.lib.umt.edu/informationliteracy/) different viewpoints and opinions.
Each story must include at least two
Manage multiple perspectives as appropriate
different interviews from people with diverse
points of view on the subject at hand.
Write stories in proper broadcast style,
Recognize the purposes and needs of
either radio or television with special
discipline-specific audiences and adopt the
attention given to the audience of the
academic voice necessary for the chosen
station(s). Student work will air on a local
discipline
radio station in order to receive a passing
grade.
Each script must be submitted in draft form
Use multiple drafts, revision, and editing in
conducting inquiry and preparing written work for feedback from the instructor. Students
will be required to re-write stories at least
once before turning in a project for grading.
Scripts will be written using Avid iNews
Follow the conventions of citation,
software, the industry standard for
documentation, and formal presentation
television. Script formats must follow the
appropriate to that discipline
standard given including use of lead ins,
supers, tags and proper production
commands.
Develop competence in information
technology and digital literacy
All students will gather their own sound and
video using digital audio recorders and
digital video cameras. Those records will be
edited following the written script using
digital non-linear video editing and digital
audio editing software.
V. Writing Course Requirements Check list
Is enrollment capped at 25 students?
If not, list maximum course enrollment.
Explain how outcomes will be adequately met
for this number of students. Justify the request
for variance.
Are outcomes listed in the course syllabus? If
not, how will students be informed of course
expectations?
Are detailed requirements for all written
assignments including criteria for evaluation in the
course syllabus? If not how and when will students
be informed of written assignments?
Briefly explain how students are provided with
tools and strategies for effective writing and editing
in the major.
x Yes † No
x Yes † No
x Yes † No
All students are required to take Jour 270
or RTV 280, the introductory reporting
classes. This builds on what they
learned there in terms of writing for the
media. Each student is given one on one
time with the instructor to work on the
writing on their particular project, while
still meeting deadlines. The class is also
given clear direction on the writing style
and qualities expected in a broadcast
news story.
Will written assignments include an opportunity for x Yes † No
revision? If not, then explain how students will
receive and use feedback to improve their writing
ability.
Are expectations for Information Literacy listed in
xYes † No
the course syllabus? If not, how will students be
informed of course expectations?
VI. Writing Assignments: Please describe course assignments. Students should be required to
individually compose at least 20 pages of writing for assessment. At least 50% of the course grade
should be based on students’ performance on writing assignments. Clear expression, quality, and
accuracy of content are considered an integral part of the grade on any writing assignment.
Formal Graded Assignments
Radio Writing/Anchoring Assignment
Radio Stories (3)
Television Interview/Writing Assignment
Television Field Reporting/Writing
Assignment
Team TV Package
Final TV Package
Informal Ungraded Assignments
Interview & Write classmate biography
Write breaking news story
Write news story from wire copy
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. ⇓ The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus preparation
see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
Paste syllabus here.
Radio-Television 360-Advanced Reporting
Prerequisites: RTV 150, RTV 151, RTV 280 or JOUR 270
Autumn 2008 Purpose of the Course: Intensive training in broadcast news reporting and production,
including news gathering, writing, interviewing, vocal work, photography and
audio/video editing. Course includes an overview of current radio and television news
practices, and discussions of newsroom ethics. This course is the required first half of a
year-long course. Students are required to register for RTV 361 on successful completion
of RTV 360.
Learning Outcomes: The successful student in RTV 360 will demonstrate the following
skills upon completion of the course.
• Strong news judgment
• Ability to identify various opinions and angles in potential news stories
• Ability to write strong leads, bodies and conclusions to radio and television news
stories
• Demonstrated writing skills including the use of active voice, lead ins and lead
outs from sound bites, clear and concise use of language
• Interviewing skills including interpersonal communication, proper questioning
and listening
• Development of presentation skills including voice and on-camera work
• Proficiency in the technical requirements of both radio and television work
including gathering and editing sound, shooting and editing video, script writing
using iNews and use of the server to store and playback stories
• Understanding of journalism ethics, codes and the law covering journalistic
endeavors
General Ed Requirements: This course is an upper division writing course. Students
must take UM’s writing assessment during this year. Check the UM web site for dates of
the writing assessment.
Frequency of Offering: This course is offered every autumn semester.
Class Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:10-3 p.m. in DAH 114.
Instructor: Denise Dowling, Anderson Hall Room 407
Phone: 243-4143 Home: 251-0357
Email: denise.dowling@umontana.edu
Office Hours: Monday and Tuesday 10-11, Tuesday and Thursday 3-4. Other times by
appointment.
You will need cards to gather audio for your radio assignments. You may choose to
purchase an audio recorder so you don’t have to go through checkout, but that is not
required. Turn in your completed stories on CD and I will pass them on to the news
directors. You’ll also want to keep a master of all your completed stories.
You will need Mini DV tape later in the semester. All TV assignments will be shot and
edited using Mini DV.
There will be a Griz card swipe at the southeast entrance to get you in the building after
hours. There is a punch code required to get into DAH 101. Your code will be unique.
DO NOT SHARE IT WITH OTHERS. If there is a problem in the lab and your punch
code has been used, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE/THEFT.
Please help us monitor who’s in our labs. If you see anything suspicious don’t hesitate to
call on us or campus security.
Radio Assignments: You will be working for KBGA radio and KUFM radio. These
people will be helping supervise your work:
•
•
•
KBGA News Director, Lindsay Alvestad, UC 209A, KBGA Phone 243-6426,
Cell: 406-460-0616, Email: lindsay.alvestad@umontana.edu
KBGA Sports Director, Marianne McCormack, UC 209A, KBGA Phone 2436426, Cell: 509-995-0524 , Email: mmccormack15@hotmail.com
KUFM News Director, Sally Mauk, PARTV 153, Phone 243-4075,
sally.mauk@umontana.edu
Quizzes: Expect unannounced current events quizzes. I expect you to keep up with
what’s happening in the news.
Deadlines: If you miss your deadline for an assignment, you will receive 0 points for
that assignment. If you have a problem that will delay your assignment for any reason,
you MUST NOTIFY ME AND THE NEWS OR SPORTS DIRECTOR
IMMEDIATELY. There are very few reasons you will ever be granted a deadline
extension, so work ahead to give yourself a cushion. Equipment problems, scheduling
problems and the like ARE NOT VALID REASONS for a deadline extension. You may
always turn in an assignment PRIOR to its deadline.
Class Attendance: Mandatory. If you have one unexcused absence, your final grade
will drop one full grade. If you miss more than one class you will fail this course. This
course requires your attendance as we build on what we learn each week. You also have
classmates counting on you in lab situations. If you are ill or must be away on university
business, you must notify me in advance that you will miss class. I require a written note
from a doctor or coach/adviser or your absence will be considered unexcused. You will
not be able to make up any points you may have earned in class, even if your absence is
excused.
Pre-course Requirements:
• You must have a working e-mail account. They are available free on the
university’s central computer
• There is no required textbook for this course
• You must be computer literate and able to learn new computer programs
• You are expected to know Adobe Audition audio editing software
• You are expected to know how to gather quality audio
• You are expected to have an understanding of broadcast news writing including
leads, bodies, writing in and out of sound bites and conclusions
• You are expected to have a solid foundation in the technology of television
including video cameras and non-linear editing
Course Grading:
Radio Anchoring Assignment
KBGA Stories (2)
KUFM Story
Interview Assignment
Field Reporting Assignment
Team TV Package
Final TV Package
Current Events Quizzes
Class Participation
Total Possible Points:
50
200
100
100
100
150
200
50
50
1000
A
100-93%
A-
92-90%
B+
89-88%
B
87-83%
B-
82-80%
C+
79-78%
C
77-73%
C-
72-70%
D+
69-68%
D
67-63%
F
Below 63%
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined as using other people’s words, ideas, data or materials and
presenting them as your own. When in doubt, ASK! Be sure to include citations when
using other people’s writing, because plagiarism is a serious offense in any discipline, but
especially in journalism. It’s a firing offense in the professional world. In the
Department of Radio-Television, students face a range of penalties for plagiarism.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
a grade of “F” on the assignment
a request that the student drop the class
withdrawal of the student from the class, initiated by the professor
an “F” in the course
expulsion from the Radio-Television department and the School of Journalism
denial of the student’s degree
expulsion, suspension or probation from the university.
If you need more information or have questions about exactly what constitutes
plagiarism, ask me!! PLAGIARISM and all forms of cheating are treated with harsh
discipline in the journalism school and by the university. Don’t do it.
Academic Honesty
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an
academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the
University. All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is
available for review online at http://www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm/page/1321.
Same Work for Multiple Classes in J-School
You may not submit for this course any assignment that has previously or will be
concurrently submitted for another class unless you receive prior approval from the
professor for this course. To do so without permission will result in an “F” for the
assignment and could result in an “F” for the course.
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
This course is accessible to and usable by otherwise qualified students with disabilities.
To request reasonable program modifications, please consult with the instructor.
Disability Services for Students will assist the instructor and student in the
accommodation process. For more information, visit the Disability Services website at
www.umt.edu/dss/.
RTV 360 - Fall 2008 Syllabus **Subject to change**
Classroom Activity
Assignment
Class introduction
Syllabus Review
Know your Audience-KUFM & KBGA
Story Ideas
The Idea of a Story Meeting
Story Meeting
Finding News
Diversity in News Coverage
Deciding on an angle
Radio Newscast Assignment
Story Meeting
Writing Review
News Day
Gathering Information
Radio Script Writing
Radio Show building
Audio Facility & Equipment Review
Story Meeting
Vocal Performance
Radio Storytelling
Lighting/Camera Review
One on One newscast critique-Group A
Avid Editing-Group B
One on One newscast critique-Group B
Avid Editing-Group A
In Class: Interview Classmate/Write story
Avid Editing Review
Interviewing
iNews Rundowns & Scripting
Interview Questions Due
Tuesday
9/23
In-class Reporting exercise
Interviews
Log Interview
Choose Bite
Capture Bite
Thursday
9/25
Choosing Soundbites
Writing in and out of Sound
Write script from Interview
Choose & Capture Bite
Review Radio Scripts Ideas for Field reporting due
Write Questions/Set up Interview/Broll for Field
Reporting Exercise
Date
Tuesday
8/26
Thursda
y
8/28
Tuesday
9/2
Thursda
y
9/4
Tuesday
9/9
Thursday
9/11
Tuesday
9/16
Thursday
9/18
Tuesday
9/30
Thursday
10/2
Review Sound Bite scripts
Review Radio Stories
Assign Field Reporting
Edited Interview Stories Anchored In Class
Field Reporting Exercise
Research and write 3 story pitches
Present Story pitches
Review Classmates’ Biography Assignments
Write/Voice Radio Newscast
In Class: Critique Radio Story
Conduct Radio Interview
Choose & Store Sound Bite
Write/Voice Radio Newscast
Schedule one-on-one vocal performance critiques
Write/Voice Radio Newscast
Radio Newscasts Due Group A
Write Interview Questions
Radio Newscast Assignment Due Group B
Write Interview Questions
Rewrite Interview Questions
Tape log, interview script & bite (on server) due
Write Questions/Set up Interview/Broll for Field
Reporting Exercise
Questions for Field Interview Due
Research & Write up midterm pkg ideas
Log Tape/Write Story
Tuesday
10/7
Thursday
10/9
Tuesday
10/14
Thursday
10/16
Tuesday
10/21
Thursday
10/23
Tuesday
10/28
Thursday
10/30
Package Building
Using Nat sound
Shooting/Editing Sequences
The Law
Midterm Assignments Given
Edited Field Stories Anchored in class
More Package Building
Review Radio Stories
Work on Midterm Packages
Review First Draft Scripts
Review Video
Review First Draft Scripts
Review Video
Doing Meaningful Standups
Finding Memorable Moments
Review First Edits
Tuesday
11/4
No Class Election Day
Thursday
11/6
Anchor Intro Packages
Tuesday
11/11
No Class Veterans Day
Thursday
11/13
Tuesday
11/18
Thursday
11/20
Tuesday
11/25
Thursday
11/27
Write Story/Edit tape for Field Interview vosbvo
Midterm Story ideas due
Script, video due for vosbvo
Shoot & Log Package
Shoot and Log Package
Write Package
First Draft Package Script Due-Group A
Re-Write Package
First Draft Package Script Due-Group B
Re-Write Package
Edit Package
Edit Package
Package Scripts & First Edits Due
Rewrite and re-edit Package
Research & Write up ideas for final pkg
Final Midterm Packages & Scripts Due
Final Package Assignments Given
Shoot, Log, Write Final Pkg.
Review Midterm Packages Anchoring Skills
Review Midterm Packages
Review First Draft Scripts/Video
Shoot , Log & Write Final Pkg.
Preview next semester newscasts & MIM
Review First Edits
Final Project Scripts & First Edits Due
Re-write & Re-edit
First Draft scripts due, video reviewed
Rewrite, Shoot & Edit Final Pkg.
No Class Thanksgiving Holiday
Tuesday
12/2
Thursday
12/4
Review Second Edits Final Project Help Available
Final Projects and Scripts Due Monday, December 8th
by 5pm
**Final Meeting 3:20-5:20 Wednesday, December 10**
Final projects will be viewed**
Final Project Second Edit Due
Re-edit
Finish Editing Final Project