JOURNALISM I
Course Instructor: Mrs. Sholl (joellen.sholl@lcps.org) – Room 603
Course Textbook: Journalism Matters (will not be issued but will remain in room)
Supplementary Materials: Journalism Today, AP Stylebook, local and national newspapers, magazines,
and various Internet sites, including msnbc.com, foxnews.com, Washingtonpost.com, cnn.com,
etc.
Supplies: 3-Ring Binder (preferably one with pockets, or one with dividers that have pockets), Paper,
Highlighters, Pens, Pencils, Erasers.
DESCRIPTION:
Instruction in this elective exposes students to the many facets of newspaper and mass media:
production, history, careers, and writing.
Activities seek to develop students who can use a variety of skills, produce journalistic material of high
quality, understand legal and ethical issues that affect journalism, and realize the importance of mass
communication in modern life.
MAIN TOPICS:
Required Units: Advertising; desktop publishing; editing and proofreading; editorials; ethics and libel;
features; history of newspapers; interpretive and in-depth news articles; interviewing; layout;
newspaper organization; sports; structuring the news; style and language of news writing
Optional Units: Broadcast news writing; careers in journalism; columns and reviews; headlines; mass
media non-print; mass media print (excluding newspapers); photography; speeches and meetings;
surveys and polls; typography and printing
CREDIT INFO: This course provides one of the credits required for the Standard or Advanced Studies
Diploma. In addition, completion of this course may be a criterion for enrollment in newspaper
journalism or photojournalism courses.
Teacher’s Note: This course is designed for those students who love to write, want to improve their
writing skills, and/or want to learn more about the mass media, i.e., newspapers, magazines, television,
etc.
UNIT SEQUENCE:
1st Quarter:
First Amendment
Introduction to Journalism/What is News
Basic Newswriting