Distance Education
COMM 2311 • News Gathering and Writing I • Syllabus
CRN 82280 • Summer 2012 • 5 Weeks • June 4-July 6
Contact Information
Debbie Service • 713-460-3514 • debra.service@hccs.edu
Students should feel free to call, text or e-mail concerning any problems in this course.
Student success can best be ensured through effective communication.
Course Description
Prerequisite: ENGL 1301
Credit hours: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
This course provides pre-professional training in news gathering, news writing, and
editing. The course also develops skills in headline writing, layout, and newspaper
production with the potential for experiencing involvement on student newspaper or
area print publications. Careers are explored. (Houston Community College System,
2009)
Course Resources
Required Text: Brooks, B. S., Kennedy, G., Moen, D. R., Ranly, D. (2010). Telling the
Story (4th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.
ISBN-10: 0-312-55430-3, ISBN-13: 978-0-312-55430-9
http://hccs.bkstore.com
Optional Supplement: AP Stylebook
https://www.apstylebook.com/apbookstore/invoice.php
Companion Web site link:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/newscentral1e/default.asp?s=&n=&i=&v=&o=&ns=0&ui
d=0&rau=0
News Gathering and Writing I
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Course
Goals
This course will provide students with a thorough knowledge of the
journalistic practices, principles and ethics involved in reporting, writing
and editing for a mass medium. To achieve these, the student should
know the English language, use proper grammar and punctuation,
strive for accuracy and fairness in all writing assignments, learn the
proper techniques of news gathering, become adept in the techniques
of interviewing and taking notes, learn to effectively compose and
evaluate a news story by following standard journalistic practices and
principles, learn the Canons of Journalism/Code of Ethics of the
American Society of Newspaper Editors and the Associated Collegiate
Press Model Code of Ethics for Collegiate Journalists.
Student Learning Outcomes
Journalism
and
Journalists
By examining the nature of news, students will see the functions of
news in society, be able to define news and explain its characteristics,
to identify characteristics that make a story newsworthy, recognize
other factors that influence news, and generate story ideas.
Through the study of convergence and the changing media industry,
students will begin to understand historical development of the mass
media.
Reporting
Students will gain familiarity with interviewing procedures and skills,
Tools
computer-assisted reporting, and reporting with numbers. They will
understand the importance of conforming to style and the use of
stylebooks to achieve conformity.
Students will develop expertise in editing copy for journalistic style,
choosing bias-free language, formatting copy. They will understand
the relationship between critical reading skills and effective writing.
They will demonstrate the professional use of grammar and
vocabulary.
Storytelling Students will learn the historical development, the purpose of, and the
use of the inverted pyramid as well as writing styles that move them
beyond the standard format.
Covering
Students will learn techniques for covering speeches, news
and Writing conferences, meetings, and other types of basic stories. After studying
News
beat reporting, students will be able to define beats, collect written
information and incorporate it into a news story, and verify information.
They will learn to identify the types of leads and their elements, write
news and feature leads, organize news stories with accuracy and
objectivity, use third person, use appropriate sentence structure, and
use transitions.
Media
Students will learn techniques for writing for broadcast media, public
Writing
relations, and the Internet.
They will develop an understanding of mass media law, ethics in
journalism, and the responsibility of the press.
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News Gathering and Writing I
Course Map
DATE
WEEK 1
June 4-10
FOCUS
Chapters
1-5
WEEK 2
June 11-17
Chapters
6, 7, 9, and
10
WEEK 3
June 18-24
WEEK 4
June 25July 1
WEEK 5
July 2-8
Chapters 8
& 13
Chapters
14 & 15
TITLE, TOPIC, ACTIVITY
The Nature of News
Redefining News: Citizen Journalism and Convergence
Interviewing
Gathering and Verifying Information
Reporting With Numbers
The Inverted Pyramid
Beyond the Inverted Pyramid
Other Types of Basic Stories
Beat Reporting
Speeches, News Conferences & Meetings
Writing Online
Law
Ethics
Lab
Wrap up all assignments, final exam review, final exam.
Official Date of Record, June 12
Instructional Methods
Through targeted writing activities, active reading assignments, Web-based activities,
and online assessments, students will be guided through material that will give them a
broad overview of various aspects of a journalist’s work. Specific assignments and
activities are found in the DE course Web site.
Expectations and Evaluation
ASSIGNMENTS
AP Style Activities
Workshop Activities
 Futures Book
 Interview Questions
 Leads
First Amendment Quiz
News Story
Feature Story
Resume
Final Exam
Total
POSSIBLE POINTS
10
POINTS EARNED
5
10
10
10
15
15
5
20
100
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News Gathering and Writing I
Distance Education Student Handbook
The Distance Education Student Handbook contains policies and procedures unique to
the DE student. Students should have reviewed the handbook as part of the mandatory
orientation. It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with the handbook's contents.
The handbook contains valuable information, answers, and resources, such as DE
contacts, policies and procedures (how to drop, attendance requirements, etc.), student
services (ADA, financial aid, degree planning, etc.), course information, testing
procedures, technical support, and academic calendars. Refer to the DE Student
Handbook by visiting this link: http://de.hccs.edu/de/de-student-handbook
Scholastic Dishonesty
Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in
fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be
initiated by College System officials against a student accused of scholastic
dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a
test, plagiarism, and collusion. “Cheating” on a test includes copying from
another student’s test paper; using materials during a test that are not authorized
by the person giving the test; collaborating with another student during a test
without authority; knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or
soliciting in whole or part the contents of a test not yet administered; and bribing
another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
“Plagiarism” means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged
incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
“Collusion” means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in
preparing written work offered for credit.
Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of zero or
“F” on the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for
probation or dismissal from the College System. (2010)
Participation
To be considered present in this class, each student must post a comment to a
discussion topic or another student’s comment. Each student must have one post four
DAYS out of seven to be considered present for a full week.
The student is responsible for dropping a course for non-attendance. Failure to
withdraw officially may result in a grade of “F” in the course. The instructor will drop
students for excessive (maximum of four) absences. Administrative drops are at the
discretion of the instructor. Students may be dropped from a course after accumulating
absences in excess of 12.5 percent of the total hours of instruction. For a three credithour lecture class meeting three hours per week (48 hours of instruction), students can
be dropped after six hours of absence.
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News Gathering and Writing I
Drop and Withdrawal Refunds Schedule:
Class Length
5 wks.
Last Day for 100% Refund *
6/1/2012
70%*
6/4-14/2012
25%* ____
6/15-19/2012
*A $15.00 Change of Schedule Fee is deducted after computing the percentage refund.
All non-refundable fees (see catalog) will be deducted before the percentage for refund
is applied.
Repeat Course Fee
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat
failed classes. To increase student success, students who repeat the same course
more than twice, are required to pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is
to encourage students to pass their courses and to graduate. Effective Fall 2006, HCC
will charge a higher tuition rate to students registering the third or subsequent time for a
course.
Instructor Requirements
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Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how
student grades are to be derived
Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities,
discussions, and lectures
Provide a description of any special projects or assignments
Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and
make-up
Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a
description of any special projects or assignments
Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required
Student Requirements
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Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities
Read and comprehend the textbook
Complete the required assignments and exams
Ask for help when a question or problem arises
Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all
assignments
Course Changes
Students will receive notice if either the syllabus or the class assignments changes. A
new syllabus or an addendum will be issued electronically.
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News Gathering and Writing I
Course and Grading Standards
Students are required to submit assignments electronically. Students are to submit
homework assignments by the dates indicated on the Assignments chart. Students
should attain a score no lower than a “C” or its equivalent on all exercises, tests,
assignments and exams.
All performance assessment depends upon the accomplishment of certain learning
outcomes (2009). Students are graded on achievement rather than effort.
LETTER GRADE
A
B
C
D
F
IP
W
I
NUMERICAL SCALE
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-59
EVALUATION
Excellent
Good
Fair
Passing
Failing
In Progress
Withdrawn
Incomplete
Students may access their grades within one week of the end of the course at
www.hccs.edu (2010).
Incompletes
Students can expect an incomplete, or “I,” to be posted as a grade only in extenuating
circumstances and after discussion with faculty. Student tardiness in submitting
assignments is not a reason for seeking/awarding an “I.”
Writing Standards
Students’ writing assignments must conform to college-level grammatical standards
which include complete and concise sentence structures; impeccable spelling, usage,
punctuation, and capitalization; and appropriate paragraphing.
Computer Assistance and Open Labs
The Communications Department provides computers for student use in journalism and
mass communication classes. Each college has student labs for supplemental course
study and any duly enrolled student with student ID may use the open computer labs
(2010).
Late Assignments
Students who choose to procrastinate cannot expect to receive feedback or an
opportunity to re-submit written assignments. The day of the final is the last opportunity
to submit work.
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News Gathering and Writing I
Feedback and Confidentiality
Students can expect all work to be graded and returned the week after it is submitted.
Student assignments will be returned by the instructor in a timely manner with specific
and objective feedback to facilitate student learning. The student may contact the
instructor to discuss concerns or schedule a conference. For the purpose of
confidentiality, any discussion of scores or dispute of grades will take place only
between an individual student and the instructor through a secure electronic method.
Sexual Harassment
For an employee, agent, or student of the College to engage in sexual harassment as
defined in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines is a
violation of HCC policy. Any student who has a complaint concerning this policy has the
opportunity to seek resolution of such a complaint in accordance with procedures set
forth in the Student Handbook. Report any complaints immediately to College
Administration or call the Institutional Equity & Compliance Office 713-718-8271.
EGLS3: Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be
asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to
instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your
professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the
survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end
of the term.
Meningitis Immunization Required
Texas Senate Bill 1107 passed in May 2011, requires that new HCC students and
former HCC students returning after an absence of at least one fall or spring semester
who are under the age of 30 are required to present a physician-signed certificate
showing they have been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. Beginning with Spring
registration, November 7, students will have to satisfy this requirement prior to
enrollment. For more information and a list of exemptions please go to
http://www.hccs.edu/hccs/admissions-registration-center/new-student-generaladmissions-steps/submit-meningitis-documentation
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News Gathering and Writing I
Reference
Houston Community College System, (2010). Student Handbook. Houston, TX:
Houston Community College.
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News Gathering and Writing I