San José State University
School of Journalism and Mass Communications
MCom 100W - Writing Workshop in Mass Communications
Course #40865, Section 03, Fall 2010
Instructor:
Dona Nichols
Office:
Dwight Bentel Hall 135
Telephone:
(408) 924-3742
Email:
DonaNicholsSJSU@gmail.com
Office Hours:
MW 10:15-11:15 a.m. and 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Also: By appointment and/or via phone
Class Days/Time:
TuTh 9 - 10:15 a.m.
Classroom:
DBH 222
Prerequisites:
WST and junior standing
Faculty Web Page and Class Blog
Course materials, including the syllabus, class schedule, major assignments, etc., are
available on the 100W class blog at http://100w.wordpress.com/. You are responsible for
regularly checking the class blog for updates and changes in the class schedule.
Course Description
Advanced writing across the media -- advertising, journalism and public relations. The focus
is on writing and research for an increasingly convergent media with multiple media formats,
from the Web to print and broadcast. This class is designed for students who plan careers in
media-related fields.
Required Texts/Readings
The Associated Press Style Book (any recent edition)
When Words Collide, or a similar grammar/style text
When Words Collide, workbook
Note: If you have little or no prior news writing experience, you may also want to refer to
one of the following texts: Inside reporting: A practical guide to the craft of journalism by
Tim Harrower (2006) or Writing for the Mass Media by James Glen Stovall.
Required equipment: Laptop and flash drive
Course Goals
The emphasis in this class is on good clear writing. Exercises and projects are related to
journalism, advertising, public relations and broadcast writing. For example, you will write a
news story, press release, broadcast copy, query letter, feature and a final research paper. Inclass assignments include peer editing, memos and an opinion piece.
To satisfy university GE requirements, you must write a minimum of 8,000 words for this
class. Regardless of your final grade, you must demonstrate that you have met the 8000word minimum to pass. You must also successfully complete the Student Learning
Outcomes listed below to pass this class.
Please come to every class prepared to write an in-class assignment. I expect your writing to
be of entry-level professional quality (and if it isn’t there yet, it should be by the end of the
semester). Correct use of the English language is a standard in this industry so be mindful of
spelling and grammar. Poor grammar and misspelled words will result in dramatically
reduced grades.
Media writers also need to stay on top of current events and trends. You should follow the
news -- in print, broadcast and online. Expect some current events quizzes.
Student Learning Objectives

Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications
professions, audiences and purposes they serve.

Critically evaluate your own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity,
appropriate style and grammatical correctness.

Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the
communications professions in which you will work.

Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups in a global society in
relationship to communications.

Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in
pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.

Think critically, creatively and independently.
Grading
Written assignments will be graded on organization, accuracy, clarity and style, as well as
on grammar, punctuation and spelling. To help you understand how we will assess your
work, here is an overview of our grading standards:
To receive an "A," your written work must comply with all requirements of the assignment,
be well organized and well developed, and demonstrate a clear understanding of audience
and purpose. Your writing should contain no logical or factual errors, and demonstrate your
ability to use language and construct sentences effectively and correctly. It should also
display a measure of creativity, and be essentially free of grammatical, mechanical, usage
and AP Style errors.
"B" work demonstrates the same competence as "A" work, but with some slight
weaknesses. It may fall short on one of the assigned tasks, show less facility with language,
or contain some minor grammatical, mechanical, usage or AP style errors. (one grammatical
or style mistake allowed)
"C" work completes all tasks set by the assignment, but shows weaknesses in the
fundamentals (e.g., organization and development, understanding of audience and purpose).
The sentence construction may be less mature, and the use of language may be less correct
than in "B" work. (two grammatical or style mistakes allowed)
“D” work . (three grammatical or style mistakes allowed)
Failing work neglects one of the assigned tasks and may be noticeably superficial in its
treatment of the assignment -- that is, it is too short or simplistic, or has problems in logic or
development. It also contains serious grammatical, mechanical, and/or usage errors that may
render some sentences incomprehensible. It may also demonstrate a striking
underdevelopment of ideas and organization, and contains serious grammatical, mechanical,
and/or usage errors that render some sentences incomprehensible. (four or more grammatical
or style mistakes)
Please Note: Factual errors will also result in a failing grade for the assignment.
Classroom Policies

All writing assignments submitted for this class must be original work, written by you
for this class (see Academic Dishonesty section below).

All papers must be typed (or posted on your blog); handwritten papers will not be
accepted.

Please be on time. In-class assignments and tests are distributed only to those present -no make-ups.

Papers will be collected at the start of class on the due date; late papers are not
accepted. Some assignments are for your blog and some are hard copies. It is up to you
to make sure you clearly understand the instructions.

Please do not check your e-mail, text or surf the Web during class time.

Check your e-mail and the class blog regularly. Instructors often respond to questions on
assignments and/or give a heads-up on quiz questions by e-mail or in a post on the class
blog.

If you are unable to attend class on a day when a hard-copy assignment is due, send it in
with a trusted classmate.

This class is graded ABC/no credit. That means anything below a “C” does not count.
Incompletes are not given in this class.

Do not email me your assignments when you are unable to make it to class. Send it in
with another student or have it date/time stamped and placed in my faculty box in
DBH-105.

Please save all of your written assignments, tests, quizzes, etc. You’ll need them as proof
that you’ve met the 8,000-word minimum for this class.

If you get a “C” or below on an assignment, you should plan to rewrite it. Rewrites are
the only effective way of improving your writing.

Include a word count on all papers. You may count 10 percent of the word count of any
rewrites toward your total word count.

You are responsible for all material covered during class, whether you attend class or
not. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get notes and assignment information
from a classmate. Specifics of assignments are discussed in class, not via e-mail.

Extenuating circumstances need to be communicated on the first day of class.

Your presence is expected at every class and at the final exam.

Please exercise good manners and good judgment. Discourteous and impolite behavior
will not be tolerated.
Department Policies

Please turn off your cell phone, or set it to “vibrate,” while in class.

Clean up after yourself and pick up debris before leaving class.

No food in classrooms.

No late arrivals.
CYA
Save your work. Email yourself a copy of your paper, both as an attachment and within the
text of an email. Then, if your printer, computer or any other technology crashes, you can go
to a commercial copy center, such as Kinko’s, to print out your assignment.
MLK Library Liaison
Paul Kauppila, Librarian
(408) 808-2042
paul.kauppila@sjsu.edu
Also check out the Journalism and mass comm. research page at SJLibrary.com
Word to the Wise
If you feel that writing is one of your weaknesses, get help early.
Writing resources at SJSU
The SJSU Writing Center is in Room 126 in Clark Hall. It is staffed by professional
instructors and upper-division or graduate-level writing specialists from each of the seven
SJSU colleges. Writing specialists have met a rigorous GPA requirement and are well
trained to assist students to become better writers. For more information, visit
http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter or call 408-924-2308.
Dropping and Adding
Information on adding and dropping classes is available at http://info.sjsu.edu/webdbgen/narr/soc-fall/rec-324.html. Information on late drops is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/sac/advising/latedrops/policy/. You are responsible for understanding
policies and procedures relating to adding and dropping classes, academic renewal, etc.
University Policies
Academic integrity
I take the issue of academic integrity very seriously. I have flunked students for submitting
plagiarized papers. I consider plagiarism to be the “kiss of death” for a student in a writing
class, and for any student who aspires to work in one of the writing professions.
The University’s Academic Integrity Policy is available at
http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicial_affairs/Academic_Integrity_Policy_S07-2.pdf.
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State
University and the University’s integrity policy, requires you to be honest in all your
academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of
Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The website for Student Conduct and Ethical
Development is available at http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/index.html.
Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism
(presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without
giving proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. If you
would like to include in your assignment any material you have previously submitted or plan
to submit for another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic Policy F06-1 requires the
instructor’s prior approval.
Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to
make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an
appointment with me as soon as possible (or see me during my office hours). Presidential
Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities who request accommodations must
register with the DRC (Disability Resource Center) to establish a record of their disability.
Student Technology Resources
Computer labs for student use are available in the Academic Success Center located on the
1st floor of Clark Hall and on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. Computers are also
available in the Martin Luther King Library.
A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from Media
Services located in IRC 112, including: Camcorders, slide projectors, DVD and CD players,
sound systems, wireless microphones, projection screens, and monitors.
Due Dates: Hard copies of assignments are due at the
start of class; blog assignments must be posted on your
blog before the start of class on the due date. Late
assignments receive no credit.
No exceptions!