In order to focus on student success, provide quality instruction, and communicate openly and honestly with
students and parents, secondary teachers will publish a course syllabus each term.
2013-2014 Course Syllabus for Yearbook Journalism
Teacher: Mrs. Tracy Manners Campbell
E-mail: tracy.campbell@biloxischools.net
Teacher’s Website: www.biloxischools.net/schools/bhs/faculty/tracy.campbell (will change in August)
Objectives: This is a general overview of what the teacher will teach and what the student is expected to master.
Journalism is intended as a general course to enhance the students’ skills as communicators and as informed
users of the communications media. Students will:







Develop an awareness of the history and role of journalism in our society, trace the
evolution of yearbooks in Biloxi, and relate yearbook publication to magazine and
commercial yearbook production.
Develop skills in evaluating journalistic reports and researching the world of journalism to
relate what is learned in yearbook to practical real-world application.
Develop journalistic writing skills through practice and example --writing captions, copy,
headlines, and evaluating known journalists to analyze their style.
Develop proficient editing skills by using a peer editing process.
Understand the role of advertising and create and implement an effective advertising
campaign.
Demonstrate knowledge of art, photography, and design for communications media, with
an emphasis on page layout, digital photography, photo editing, and graphic design.
Understand the role of electronic publishing and editing and use it to organize a ladder
diagram or road map of the book, implement a consistent theme using proven design
techniques, and collaborate with others to produce a finished product.
This course is designed explore various forms of journalism including photography, writing, and documentary film
making along with graphic design and design for publication. Through this course students will publish works for the
multiple media including the yearbook. In addition to these concepts, this course will provide opportunities for
students to be self-managing and relate the working world to the classroom. Focus will be placed on photography,
management structures, work ethic and personal responsibility to deadlines and journalistic ethics.
This class is set up in much the same way as a collegiate yearbook staff and commercial magazine publishing
company in that we have an editor in chief, business manager, and sections that students will be working in to
complete this year’s publication of the Indian Echo yearbook. As such, students will be given separate publication
assignments in their respective sections in addition to any traditional general classwork/training that is necessary to
complete those individual assignments. Once students have been assigned to those sections, they will be given a
“deadline sheet” that lists due dates, tasks, and major classwork/assignments that will be due.
Tests and Grades
Grading: A=90-100 B=80-89 C=75-79 D=70-74 F=below 70 I=incomplete
Grading follows the policies of Biloxi Public Schools. A mid-term progress report and a report card following the end of each term
are issued. The student’s current grades are available via Internet IOD. (http://iiod.ssts.com/Home.asp?state=MS)
Tests:
Tests will be given to assess the student’s knowledge of specific objectives taught. Tests count as 55% of
the student’s grade each term.(Tests/Deadlines =55% Daily/Quiz=25% Term Exam=20%)
Tests that will be given this year will cover (but are not limited to) advertising (business, senior, and
community ad sales/advertising and book sales/advertising), photography, design basics, captions/copy,
Photoshop CS6, InDesign, & Studioworks software, legal issues/ethics, interviewing, cover/theme
development, use of color, editing/proofreading, videography, yearbook publishing process, careers in
journalism, and event planning.
All tests are comprehensive!
www.biloxischools.net
Retesting:
Retesting is HIGHLY recommended of all students who do not master objectives. Because the objectives
taught are actually put to use in a real publication, “mastery” is a grade of 90 or above for this class.
The higher of the two test grades will be placed in the grade book. To retest, students must make an
appointment to come to review the test and successfully complete a remediation assignment (including
tutoring, if necessary), and retest within 10 days of receiving his/her score on the original test. All
daily/missed work relating to the test must be complete before the retesting process may begin.
Spreads/Deadlines:
Due to publishing deadlines from an outside company, completion of spreads by the required deadline is
mandatory. Spreads, once completed, will be assessed for quality using a quality control checklist.Before
grading, students will have section editors and editors proof/edit work, which is subject to revision prior to
final adviser approval/grading.
Homework/Assignments/Projects:
Most “homework” is coverage of school events to complete a spread or working on a spread at home from
the StudioWorks website. This will vary depending on the section to which the student is assigned (ex.
community section has no homework with spreads, but may have homework with course objectives or
school coverage). Assignments and projects that are not official spreads intended for publication will be
assessed a point penalty per day late. All missed work will be made up.
Major projects to be completed (in addition to spreads):
 Advertising materials (Terms I, II, IV)
 Media submissions (Sun Herald, Bay Press, Terms I-IV)
 Community Ad Sales (Terms I & IV)
 Mini Annual (Term IV)
 Digital Yearbook Reproduction (Terms III & IV)
 Colors and Trends (Term III)
 Careers in Journalism (Term III)
Course Requirements:
All spreads must be completed and deadlines must be met, with no exceptions. Failure to do so may
result in failure of the course AND may cause the school to be assessed penalties by the publisher,
including late delivery. Media submissions of BHS events must be turned in by section as directed for
submission to the local newspapers.
Important Dates:
Because important dates vary by section and are subject to change daily, only primary dates are listed. All
students are required to carry planners to organize these dates and events. Students and parents will be
notified via email, phone, or website should yearbook dates change.
If students meet deadlines, parents and adviser will host a celebration after school, which will be added to
the calendar.
 Aug. 7 – Back to School Night/PTA Meeting, 6








p.m. BHS Sports Arena
Aug. 7-12 – Class orientations during 1st period
beginning with 9th graders
Aug. 16 – Football Jamboree, BHS Stadium 6
p.m.
Aug 19 – Club sign ups begin at lunch
Aug. 20 – School Pictures in English Classes
Aug. 23 – Shrimp Bowl 4 p.m. Milner Stadium,
Gulfport
Aug. 27 – First Club Meetings after school (every
other Tuesday)
Aug. 29 – Ninth grade class elections
Aug. 30 – First pep rally
www.biloxischools.net












Sept. 2 – Labor Day holiday, no school
Sept. 5 – Jostens Class Ring Delivery
Sept. 9 – Gear Up Senior Parent Night, 6 p.m.
Sept. 9 – Mid-term progress reports
Sept. 18 – School Picture Retakes
Sept. 20, 27 – SATP Re-tests
Oct. 1 – Homecoming apps due
Oct. 2 – Last day to submit community ads for a
grade
Oct. 3-5 Term I Exams
Oct. 3 – Jostens returns at lunch
Oct. 4 – Last Day for Senior Portraits (made by
appt. only)
Oct. 8 – No School, Columbus Day
 Oct. 9 – SATP Parent Night Algebra I & Biology I
 Oct. 10 – SATP Parent Night English II & US





History
Oct. 14, 15 – No School
Oct. 16 – PSAT
Oct. 17 – Cadet Oath, 1:45 p.m. Sports Arena
Oct. 18 – Report Cards
Oct. 19 – Band Festival@ West Harrison
 Oct. 21 – Homecoming Week (Decorating begins
Monday; Door judging, Thurs; Pep rally, Fri.)
 Oct. 23 – National Buy Your Yearbook Day –
Indian Echo Pre-Sale-abration, Activity Period
 Oct. 26 – Homecoming Dance, 8 p.m. BHS
Cafeteria
 Yearbook Meetings/Deadline work days –2:203:30, as needed.
Students, please be sure that I have your AND your parents’ email(s) so that I can add them to my parent email
distribution list:
Student Email:_____________________________________________
Parent Name:_____________________________Email______________________________________
Parent Name:_____________________________Email______________________________________
www.biloxischools.net