Fall 2015—Syllabus
JOUR 498-03 INTERNSHIP (9716)
Mondays, 11:00 am- 12:15 pm, LA 4, room 105 and online
Instructor: Dr. Heloiza Herscovitz
Class Meetings: we meet face-to-face and online on scheduled dates
Phone: 562-985-5667
Email: heloiza.herscovitz@csulb.edu
Office: LA 4, 206 D
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Description:
Journalism 498 internships are focused on the development of journalism and public relations
skills. According to the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass
Communications, these skills include thinking critically, creatively, and independently;
researching and evaluating information; writing correctly and clearly in forms and styles
appropriate for specific audiences and purposes; acting ethically; and, applying current tools and
technologies used in communications professions. To receive credit, students must show proof
that the work they completed during their internships developed some of the aforementioned
skills and was performed under the supervision of an experienced professional. Students must
have regularly scheduled internship hours, totaling at least 120 hours by the end of the term.
Students work at their internship organization site during the same time period in which they are
enrolled in Journalism 498. Finally, students must obtain the approval of the course instructor,
ensuring that the site meets the requirements of the department.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course, students will have had the opportunity to:
 Gain hands-on experience in the workplace
 Apply and develop journalism and/or public relations skills in professional settings
 Network with established professionals
 Exchange information with fellow internship students
 Examine issues of diversity and ethics in mass communications workplaces
 Explore and refine career goals and expectations
Prerequisites:
JOUR 311 with a grade of "C" or better, junior or senior standing.
Methods of Instruction:
Your outside internship experiences will be combined with discussions in classroom settings and
online. Students will share experiences and accomplishments as well as address issues affecting
them at internship sites. Guest speakers and the instructor will discuss job searchers, how to
improve your online presence, write resumes, cover letters and portfolios, prepare for job
interviews, etc. They may also be asked to read and comment on articles that deal with career
development.
Internship Site Requirements:
It is the responsibility of a student to secure an internship. All internship sites and site
supervisors must be approved by the course instructor. Generally, the department adheres to
standards set by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) to ensure that
internship experiences are educational and thus the following criteria must be met for a site to be
considered a legitimate internship:
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The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides
for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the
operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
The experience cannot be performed online only, but can combine office and online work.
The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a detailed job description with desired
qualifications.
There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the
student's academic coursework.
There is supervision by a professional with substantial expertise and educational and/or
professional background in the field of the experience.
There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support
learning objectives/goals.
Evaluation Criteria:
This course is offered for Credit/No Credit. Credit will be based on your sum of points for all
assignments and attendance to mandatory meetings. Students will receive credit if they
satisfactorily complete ALL of the following requirements:
1. Application Form/Internship Approval
It is the responsibility of the student to secure an internship. All internship sites and site
supervisors must be approved by the instructor by the third week of the term to ensure that
the proposed internship experience meets the skills-development requirement. Upload the
completed application form including requested supplemental materials that prove your site
supervisor has at least five years professional experience into the “Application Form” Dropbox
on Beachboard on or before the published deadline found at the end of the syllabus.
2. Internship Contract
Once an internship site has been approved, it is the responsibility of the student to complete an
internship contract that lists the name and address of the internship site as well as the specific
duties to be performed during the internship. The student and the internship site supervisor must
both sign this form. Scan and upload the signed contract into the “Internship Contract” Dropbox
on Beachboard on or before the published deadline.
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3. Attend Class Meetings: mandatory
We will meet five times in LA 4, room 105 and several times online.
Meeting 1: Monday, August 24, 2015, our first day of class
Meeting 2: Monday, September 21, 2015
Meeting 3: Monday, October 26, 2015
Meeting 4: Monday, November 30, 2015
Meeting 5: Monday, December 7, 2015
Attendance is 1required in all meetings and you must submit the internship critique in person
during this last meeting. All other assignments are submitted on BeachBoard.
4. Individual Meeting with Professor
You must meet individually with me at least once between weeks 5 and 10. Please, schedule
your meeting ahead of time. You will receive a table with days and times by email. I will be
available for these meetings on Wednesdays during class time. The purpose of these meetings is
to review your progress, discuss in-depth your internship experiences, and provide guidance as
you prepare the transition from student to professional.
5. Diary (7):
You are required to maintain an online diary of your internship experiences in seven discussion
boards on Beachboard. At the top of each entry, make note of the days and number of hours
worked, and include a running tally of total internship hours. Outline specific projects and
tasks attended to during the week. Highlight achievements and attach or post links to examples
of your work. Reflect on issues of diversity and/or ethics that arose during the week if relevant.
Full grade is given only to thorough posts. A missed post represents a zero. Each discussion
closes after the deadline.
6. Performance Assessments:
You must obtain two performance assessments from your site supervisor – one after 60 hours,
and another after 120 hours. Your site supervisor will be aware of the performance assessments,
but it is your responsibility to remind your supervisor early enough for their scheduled
completion. These assessments will help you discover your strengths and weaknesses. You will
upload it on Beachboard/Dropbox by the deadline. Late work without full, authorized
justification will reflect negatively on your grade. The 60-hour assessment turned in on the same
week after the deadline will be marked down 20 points; on the second week, it will be marked
down 50 points. After that, the chances you will get credit for this course are slim as your 60hour assessment will be worth zero points. Talk to me in advance and in person if you have a
major problem. Failure to turn in the 120-hour assessment by the deadline will result in no credit
or incomplete. Do not send assignments by email unless instructed by me.
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7. Summary of Work Accomplished:
Prepare and submit a one-page, single-spaced report that summarizes the work accomplished and
skills developed during the internship. Samples of completed work should be attached to the
report and/or links to examples of your work should be embedded in the report, if available. The
summary must be uploaded on Beachboard/ Dropbox by the deadline. The dropbox closes right
after the deadline. Work delivered after the deadline but before December 9 will be worth half
the points. After the last day of classes, it will be worth zero points.
8.Internship Critique:
Prepare and submit in person a no more than one-page, single-spaced critique of your internship
site. This document will be kept on file for the review of students who may be considering your
site as a possible internship. You need to identify three areas: description of the internship,
skills required for the internship, and your personal thoughts about the internship experience at
that site. No electronic submissions of the critique will be accepted. Instead, the critique is
due in person during the final class meeting on Monday, December 7. Late work won’t be
accepted.
Grading to be converted in Credit/No Credit:
Special Diaries (7):
Attendance (5):
Application Form:
Internship Contract:
60-hour assessment:
120-hour assessment:
Summary:
Critique:
140 points (20 points each)
100 points (20 points each)
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
Total: 840 points
You will need at least 590 points to receive credit for this course (C or better).
Schedule:
Note that the potential for variable internship start and end dates means that some of your
classmates may start or finish their internships before you do. Therefore, it is important for
students discuss start and end dates with their job-site supervisors and update the instructor on
your progress through personal communications and diary entries on Beachboard to avoid
missing a grade. Choose well, negotiate the work you will do with your supervisor, and avoid
changing internships.
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Activity Dates and Assessment Deadlines
WEEK
DATES
DEADLINES & SUBMISSION LOCATIONS
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Aug. 24- Aug 30
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Aug. 31 – Sep. 6
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5
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Sep. 7 – Sep. 13
Sep. 14 – Sep. 20
Sep. 21 – Sep. 27
Sep. 28 – Oct. 4
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25
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Monday/Aug. 24: class meeting 1 @ 11:00 am in LA 4, 105
Sunday/Aug. 30, before midnight: Diary #1 on discussion board
(Introduce yourself, state your internship type and place and upload a
picture)
Sunday/Sep. 6, before midnight: Application form + business card +
mini bio of your supervisor (dropbox)
Sunday/Sep. 13, before midnight: Internship Contract (dropbox)
Sunday/Sep. 20, before midnight: Diary # 2 (discussion board)
Monday/ Sep. 21: class meeting 2 @ 11:00 am in LA 4, 105
Sunday/Oct. 4, before midnight: Diary # 3 (discussion board)
Sunday/Oct. 11, before midnight: Diary # 4 (discussion board)
Sunday/Oct. 18, before midnight: Diary # 5 (discussion board)
Sunday, Oct. 25, before midnight: Diary # 6 (discussion board)
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Oct. 26 – Nov 1st
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15
Nov 16 – Nov. 22
Nov 23 –Nov. 29
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6
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Dec. 7- Dec. 11
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Monday/ Oct. 26: class meeting 3 @ 11:00 am in LA 4, 105
Sunday, Nov. 8: Diary # 7 (discussion board)
Sunday/ Nov. 15, before midnight: 60-Hour Assessment (dropbox)
Come talk to me if you are facing problems with your internship
Winter Break/ Thanksgiving. No assignments due
Monday, Nov. 30: class meeting 4 @ 11:00 am in LA 4, 105
Sunday/ Dec. 6 before midnight: summary w/ examples (dropbox)
Monday, Dec. 7: class meeting 5 @ 11:00 am in LA 4, 105
Hard copy of one-page internship critique due in person in class.
FRIDAY, Dec. 11: 120 -Hour Assessment (dropbox)
Other Important Observations:
Grading: The grading policies and practices in this class are explained elsewhere in the syllabus. It is the student’s
responsibility to read them and to seek clarification if necessary. The student should be fully aware of what is
required for success in the course, such as group participation, writing, speaking, completing assigned.
Seat in Class: An enrolled student may lose his/her seat in class if he/she misses the first class meeting without
notifying the instructor. At the instructor’s discretion, a student who attends the first class but not subsequent classes
may also be dropped from the course.
Withdrawal from Class: Students may withdraw from a class from the third to the 12 th week for “serious and
compelling reasons.” Normally these are defined as anything of importance that is beyond the control of the student.
This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, death or serious illness in a student’s immediate family or a
documented change in a student’s work schedule. Poor performance, tardiness and unexcused absences are not
considered serious or compelling reasons beyond the student’s control for purposes of withdrawing.
Absences from Class: Grades in a course may be adversely affected by absences, and students should seek
clarification from the instructor regarding the course absence policy. Make-ups usually are granted in strict
accordance with CSULB policy, which defines excused absences as (1) illness or injury to the student; (2) death,
injury or serious illness of an immediate family member or the like; (3) religious reasons; (4) jury duty or
government obligation; (5) CSULB-sanctioned or approved activities [2002-03 Catalog, p.75]. These and any other
requests for an excused absence must be documented.
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CSULB Cheating/Plagiarism/Fabrication Policy: CSULB takes issues of academic dishonesty very seriously. If you
use any deceptive or dishonest method to complete an assignment, take an exam, or gain credit in a course in any
other way, or if you help someone else to do so, you are guilty of cheating. Making something up constitutes
fabrication. If you use someone else’s ideas or work and represent it as your own without giving credit to the
source, you are guilty of plagiarism. This does not apply if the ideas are recognized as common knowledge, or if you
can show that you honestly developed the ideas through your own work. Any instructor can show you the correct
ways of citing your sources, and you should use quotation marks, footnotes or endnotes and bibliographic references
to give credit to your sources according to the format recommended by your instructor. The Department of
Journalism has a zero-tolerance policy in these areas, and any instance of academic dishonesty -- cheating,
plagiarism and/or fabrication -- may result in your failing of the assignment, immediate removal from class with a
failing grade, removal from the College of Liberal Arts, expulsion from the university and/or other sanctions as the
instructor deems appropriate.
Responses, Penalties and Student Rights: Students should consult the appropriate sections of the Catalog for
examples of cheating, fabrication and plagiarism, and instructor and/or CSULB response options in such
circumstances. The Catalog also outlines student rights.
Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who need assistance or accommodation to participate in the course should inform the
instructor and then contact Disabled Student Services within the first week of class. In addition, students should
establish their eligibility for assistance by contacting the Disabled Student Services Office (Brotman Hall 270) at
562-985-5401.
Students are to provide the instructor verification of their disability from Disabled Student Services. If the service
offered is insufficient or inadequate, the student should confer with the instructor and the director of Disabled
Student Services. If these efforts are unsuccessful, students have the option of directing their concerns to the Office
of Equity and Diversity (University Student Union 301) at 562-985-8256. Responsibility for oversight and
implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act has been delegated to the campus
director for disability support and accommodation.
University Emergency:
http://emergency.csulb.edu/pdf/emergency-procedures2.pdf
University Police: (562) 985-4101
Additional Student Learning Assessment
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at California State University, Long Beach is accredited
by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).
ACEJMC has established educational requirements and standards and provides a process of
voluntary program review by professionals and educators, awarding accredited status to
programs that meet its standards. Through this process, the Council assures students, parents,
journalism and mass communications professionals, and the public that accredited programs
meet rigorous standards for professional education.
Accreditation by ACEJMC is an assurance of quality in professional education in journalism and mass
communications. Students in an accredited program can expect to find a challenging curriculum, appropriate
resources and facilities, and a competent faculty.
ACEJMC lists 12 professional values and competencies that must be part of the education of all journalism, public
relations, and mass communication students. Therefore, our graduates who major in journalism and public relations
should be able to do the following:
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understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, for the country in which the
institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of
systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize
power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances;
demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping
communications;
demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms
of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications;
demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of
mass communications in a global society;
understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information;
demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth,
accuracy, fairness and diversity;
think critically, creatively and independently;
conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in
which they work;
write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences
and purposes they serve;
critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and
grammatical correctness;
apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
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