JOURNALISM
2009
CURRICULUM
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Journalism is the study of communications history, the legal boundaries, and the ethical principles that guide
journalistic writing. Students use writing styles and visual design for a variety of media formats. Students
express themselves with meaning and clarity to inform, entertain, and persuade so that future work on high
school publications or media staffs will prepare them to take a career path in journalism.
The journalism/photojournalism class is a two semester class that gives students an introduction to
photography, its uses and techniques to produce well composed photographs as well as an introduction into
journalistic writing and design. The class will provide the background needed for students to participate on
either The Booster or Totem.
A working digital camera is a course requirement.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
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Students will use basic and advanced photographic composition techniques to take a variety of
photographs.
Students will apply digital techniques including PhotoShop CS2.
Students will understand the implications of journalism in today’s society and appreciate the beginning
of our freedom of press in the United States.
Students will understand the legal and ethical standards affecting media in today’s society.
Students will apply the writing techniques required to produce news, feature, and opinion stories. This
will include interviewing, accurate reporting and demonstrating the stages of writing (prewriting,
writing, editing and revising, and presenting.)
Students will write using standards of English conventions with journalism style books.
Students will evaluate and create design elements for newspaper and yearbook which will employ
correct design principles using InDesign CS2.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
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How did early journalism shape the current state of journalism in the United States today?
How do the laws governing professional media affect the student journalist?
Which writing techniques can be used to best convey information to the reader in a given situation?
How does writing for the media differ from writing an essay for English class?
What design elements and principles can be used to enhance understanding and visual appeal for the
reader?
INDIANA STATE STANDARDS
Standard 1
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
Students understand the function, history, development of a free and independent press in the United States.
Standard 2
LAW AND ETHICS
Students understand and apply knowledge of legal and ethical principles related to the functioning of a free and
independent press in the United States.
Standard 3
MEDIA ANALYSIS
Students analyze and evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of news and information found in print, on the
Internet, and in other media.
Standard 4
JOURNALISTIC WRITING PROCESSES
Students discuss ideas for writing with others. They write coherent and focused stories that demonstrate wellresearched information, appropriate journalistic structure and style, and a tightly reasoned flow of ideas.
Students progress through stages of journalistic writing processes.
Standard 5
WRITING FOR MEDIA
Students write news stories, features stories and columns, in-depth issue features, reviews, editorials, or
opinions and commentaries effectively and accurately in print and media, while adhering to legal and ethical
standards for journalist. Students demonstrate an understanding of the research, organizational, and drafting
strategies in journalistic writing processes. Student writing demonstrates a command of Standard English and
the use of media formats that follow specific style manual guidelines for consistency.
Standard 6
TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN
Students use principles, elements, tools, and techniques of media design to analyze, navigate, and create
effective, aesthetically pleasing media formats.
Standard 7
MEDIA LEADERSHIP AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Students understand the organization, economics, and management of media staffs. They explore career paths
and further educational opportunities in journalism.
UNITS OF INSTRUCTION (STATE STANDARDS)
First Trimester
I.
Photography- basic camera techniques (Standard 1, 6)
A. Camera usage
B. Principles of digital imaging
C. Principles of lighting
D. Basic principles of composition
E. Principles of the photo essay
II.
Journalism- Historical background and current perspective (Standard 1, 2, 3)
A. Mass Media
B. Journalism law
C. Journalism ethics and standards
III.
Newspaper (Standards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7)
A. News writing
B. Beginning Design
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Second Trimester
IV.
Newspaper cont. (Standards 4, 5, 6, 7)
A. Feature writing
B. Opinion writing
C. Advanced Page Design
D. Graphics
V.
Photography- Advanced principle of composition, shooting a story (Standard 6)
A. Advanced principles of lighting and composition
B. Advanced printing or PhotoShop techniques
C. Shooting pictures under different situations and conditions
D. How to select the best photo for content, story telling, and quality
V.
Yearbook (Standards 3, 4, 5, 6)
A. Theme development
B. Yearbook design
C. Photo selection and cropping
D. Yearbook copy writing
VI.
Computer Skills (Standard 6)
A. Desktop publishing using InDesign CS2
B. Research via Internet sites
C. PowerPoint
D. Word processing using Microsoft Word
E. PhotoShop CS2
F. Scanning
VII.
Careers in photography and journalism (Standard 7)
A. Contributors to the journalism field
B. Careers available in the field
COURSE ASSESSMENTS
STUDENT PRODUCTS FOR ASSESSMENT
Major Assignments First Semester:
Photo Assignment- Close-up Photography
Photo Assignment - Landscape Photography
Photo Assignment - Documentary Photography
History of Journalism project
Comprehensive test of journalism law
News stories
Design a one page photo essay
Case study of ethical situation
Major Assignments Second Semester:
Feature stories
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Feature page design
Editorials
Reviews
Graphs
Photo assignments to go with newspaper and yearbook pages
Sports Photography
Theme Development Package
Yearbook layout
Journalism Career Research Project
Additional photo assignments as time allows
TIMELINE
See course outline above.
COURSE MATERIALS: MAJOR TEXTS, PRINCIPAL MATERIALS AND FILMS
KEY TEXTS:
Semester One
Journalism Today
Semester Two
Journalism Today
* Parents should contact the teacher or department chair to discuss concerns with texts. If required, the teacher will
provide a substitute text of comparable length that approximates the stated academic purpose.
CLASSROOM SETS OF BOOKS USED:
Inside Reporting: A Practical Guide to the Craft of Journalism
The Newspaper Designer’s Handbook 6th Edition
Get the Picture: A Guide for the Yearbook Photographer
1,2,3 Student Yearbook Guide
FILMS/VIDEOS:*
“All the President’s Men” (Warner Brothers, 1976, rated PG)
“Masters of Photojournalism” (Nikon School, 1997)
“Masters of Action” (Nikon School, 1997)
“Photography 101, Landscape Country” (Panacea Learning Systems, Inc.)
“Modern Marvels Newspapers” (The History Channel, 1996)
“Digital Photography, The Camera” (Media West)
“Cameramen Who Dared” (National Geographic, 1988)
“IU School of Journalism, Media Careers that Matter” (IU, 2005)
“First Person, Total Exposure: Privacy and the Press” (Maria Shriver special)
“Wizard of Photography, George Eastman” (PBS)
*A parent may excuse his/her child from the viewing of a commercial film/video. The parent should contact the teacher or
Department Chair to discuss his/her concerns. The teacher will provide any excused student an alternative assignment
of comparable length that is relevant to the stated academic purpose.
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