Journalism Class Syllabus
2015-2016
Krissy Vick
Room F8
Phone: (434)392-4131
Email: vickkt@fuquaschool.com
Mrs. Vick’s Class Webpage
Welcome to Journalism. This class is designed to give you an opportunity to learn
about the basics of journalism by exploring both written and oral communication skills.
In this class, you can be creative, sharpen your writing skills, practice your
interpersonal skills, learn how to meet deadlines, conduct interviews, explore
photography, improve your time management, and learn about the role of newspapers
and other media in our society. You will also become more knowledgeable about
media usage and consumption.
Additionally, we have the privilege of creating and publishing a Fuqua School
newspaper. As we work on the paper, we will learn about writing, researching,
interviewing, and photography, among other things. We will also have the opportunity
to learn about professional journalism through occasional guest speakers and/or field
trips.
Required Materials
* 1” 3-ring binder with loose leaf paper
* 1 spiral notebook
* pen/pencil
Communications
* Interim Reports will be issued for all students for each 9-week grading period.
* I encourage you to communicate with me if you have any questions or concerns
throughout the semester. I will always make time for you and will value the
relationships I will be building with each of you.
Attendance
Attendance and punctuality are required as noted in the Fuqua School Handbook.
Bags and backpacks should be left on the sidewalk. If you are absent, it is your
responsibility to contact me about missed work either prior to your absence or
immediately upon return. It is always YOUR responsibility to follow-up with me
regarding an absences.
Assignments
All work should be submitted on time for full credit. Assignments may be accepted
one day late with 10 point penalty. Regarding Absences: As stated in the Fuqua
Handbook, students should determine the work they have missed and “are required to
complete and turn in all make-up work within the number of days they have been
absent from class. In cases of work that was assigned prior to the absence, students
should be prepared to complete the work on the day they return to class.” **For time
sensitive material for newspaper deadlines, please make every effort to send it on
time even if you aren’t in class.
Grading
Homework: 10%
Classwork: 10%
Quizzes: 20%
Tests: 30%
Newspaper Production: 30%
While students will be given classwork and homework assignments to practice skills
and periodic quizzes and tests to assess comprehension and mastery, a large focus of
this class and your final grade will be on participation and production of the school
newspaper.
You will be evaluated in several areas: enthusiasm, initiative, meeting deadlines,
writing skills, content, interviewing, layout design, photography, and overall
production effort.
Production deadlines are very important. Missing a newspaper deadline puts the
entire newspaper in jeopardy. Please adhere to all deadlines.
Extra Credit: When you take on extra assignments above and beyond what is required,
extra credit will be rewarded.
Course Schedule
Week
1
Topic
What is News?
The History of News
Assignments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
2
The Role of the News
Media in American
Society
Notables in the
Newsroom
5 Rules of Journalism
Basics of Good
Journalism
How to Write a News
Story in 15 Steps
How to Write a Strong
Lead
Chapter 3
3
Exercises
Anatomy of a
Newspaper
Terms Handout
Writing practice: 5Ws
Create News Media
Portfolios
Writing Practice: Leads
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
View "All the
President's Men"
Writing Practice: Leads
Begin selling business
ads for newspaper
4
How to Structure a
News Story
Chapter 15
5
The Interview
Handling Quotations
Chapter 16
Chapter 10
6
Layout Design
7
Writing Headlines
Writing Cutlines
Finalize first
newspaper
Chapter 28
Begin first newspaper
assignments
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Due 10/13 to Herald
Distribute 10/15
Photos and Graphics
Feature Writing
Writing Reviews
Chapter 31
Chapter 23
Chapter 21
Editorials and Columns
Sports Journalism/
Profiles
Finalize second
newspaper
Freelance writing
Chapter 22
Chapter 24
Legal Considerations in
Journalism
1st Amendment
Finalize third
newspaper
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
17
Ethical considerations
in Journalism
Exam Review Week
18
Exam
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Due 11/19 to Herald,
Distribute 11/23
Chapter 25
Due to Herald 12/15,
Distribute 12/17
Review for exam
Create personal
portfolios of published
work
Writing Practice:
Inverted Pyramid,
Chronological, Wall St.
Journal, and Multiple
Element Structures
Open-ended/close
ended questions
*guest speaker
Newspaper workshop
Newspaper workshop
Explore InDesign
Make your own front
page
*possible field trip
Restaurant Reviews
Movie Reviews
*possible field trip to
local restaurant
Newspaper Workshop
Newspaper Workshop
*possible guest speaker
Newspaper workshop
Newspaper workshop
Farmville Herald
submissions
Newspaper workshop
Landmark cases
Newspaper Workshop
Pulitzer Prize
Showcase
*Recurring class activities will include viewing CNN Student News broadcasts and discussing headlines of
interest.
*Students will also regularly read and write responses for Articles of the Week.