Comm 260W Syllabus, Spring 2003
News writing and Reporting
Comm 260W
3 credit hours
Library 12
TR 8-9:15 am
Dr. Cathy Roan
54 Irvin Kochel
814-898-6394
clr18@psu.edu
office hrs: TR 10-12
Course description: News and news values; legal and ethical problems of
reporting; writing and reporting news for the mass media.
Course objectives: Students will learn the basics of information gathering,
interviewing, reporting, and writing news stories. Emphasis will be placed on
hands-on experience creating stories within space limitations and deadlines.
Required text: News Reporting and Writing, 7th edition, by The Missouri Group,
Bedford/St. Martin’s, © 2002.
Course requirements:
Attendance/participation (including in-class writing)
Final exam (based on readings and class discussion)
Midterm exam (")
Out-of-class assignments
35% of final course grade
20%
10%
35%
Course policies:
Attendance: Work done during class cannot be made up when you are absent.
Everything you do during class time will count, whether or not it is graded.
Writing in class will be done on laptop computers.
Please buy and bring a diskette labeled with your name and the course
name that you can use exclusively for this course.
Writing: All writing done during or outside class must be printed, typewritten,
double-spaced, spell-checked, and proofread. I won’t accept diskettes, email
attachments, or handwritten stories.
Assignments are due when they are due; deadlines are non-negotiable.
Any professional media writer deals with deadlines, as do most other
professionals in any industry.
For some assignments, you will target the Behrend Beacon to experience
writing for a real audience. I hope you will see some of your work in print.
Communication: This is a communication course. Please communicate with me.
Come see me during my office hours. Let me know if you have any questions or
problems related to the course. I want each of you to succeed in News Writing
and Reporting.
Comm 260W Syllabus
Academic dishonesty, as defined in the Position Statement on Academic
Integrity of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will not be tolerated. See
http://www.pserie.psu.edu/faculty/academics/integrity.htm for definitions
and consequences of violations of academic integrity.
Plagiarism must be understood and avoided by anyone interested in pursuing a
career as a professional writer.
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Comm 260W Syllabus
Reading assignments:
(Professor reserves the right to modify this schedule.)
January 14, 16 By Thursday, read Chapter 1: Writing for Today's Audiences.
January 21, 23 By Tuesday, read Chapter 2: Tools for Writers, pp. 20-29.
January 28, 30 By Tuesday, read Ch. 2, pp. 29-45. By Thursday, read pp. 45-59.
February 4, 6 By Tuesday, read Chapter 3: Guidelines for Good Writing, pp. 60-97. By Thursday,
read pp. 97-112.
February 11, 13 By Tuesday, read Chapter 4: Getting to the Point, pp. 113-132. By Thursday, read
pp. 132-146.
February 18, 20 By Tuesday, read Chapter 5: Beyond the Lead, pp. 151-168. By Thursday, read
pp. 168-187.
February 25, 27 By Tuesday, read Chapter 9: Interviewing, Quotes, and Attribution, pp. 255-271.
pp. By Thursday, read pp. 271-290. Thursday receive midterm review sheet.
March 4, 6 Tuesday, midterm review. Thursday, March 6, midterm exam.
March 10-14 Spring Break. No classes.
March 18, 20 By Tuesday, read Chapter 10: Electronic Media.
March 25, 27 By Tuesday, read Chapter 11: Public Relations Writing.
April 1, 3 By Tuesday, read Chapter 12: Advertising.
April 8, 10 By Tuesday, read Chapter 6: Recognizing Bias and Stereotypes
April 15, 17 By Tuesday, read Chapter 7: Research and Observation.
April 22, 24 By Tuesday, read Chapter 8: Legal and Ethical Issues.
April 29, May 1 Tuesday, receive final exam review sheet. Thursday, the last day of class, final
exam review.
May 5-9 Final examination will be given this week.
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