Online Journalism
Dr. Anthony Curtis – JRN-410-01
Syllabus – Spring 2005
Syllabus
TR 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Old Main 238
Department of Mass Communications
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Convergence is the intersection of old-style print and broadcast media standards and practices with new information delivery technologies and media business models. When two or more media formats come together, they form a new common ground between them. The aggregation is a new medium.
It's happening all around us right now. The signs are everywhere. And that means the standards have changed on what it takes to be a journalist in the 21st century. Today, a newspaper or magazine cannot be available only on newsstands and in mailboxes. A broadcaster cannot be just a radio station or a television channel. Mass media today have to be available when and where their readers and audiences want them. Each needs a presence on the World Wide Web so consumers can find them even on wireless laptops at the most remote locations.
The Internet is awe-inspiring. It has humongous capacity and the Web, alone among news media, is interactive in real-time.
What does online mean?
Online is a term that has come to mean connected to the Internet. When you are connected to the Internet, you are online. Many users of the word online mean something even more precise – they are connected to the World Wide Web via the Internet. On the other hand, sometimes people say they are online when they mean they have access to the Internet and have an e-mail address, but are not necessarily connected to the Internet at that moment.
What is journalism?
Journalism has been the work of gathering, writing, illustrating, editing and disseminating news through mass media, such as newspapers, magazines, radio and television. Today, a journalist is someone who does that work for those traditional mass media, but also now for the World Wide Web.
Other names, titles, labels, trade names and nicknames for practicing journalists include anchor, announcer, broadcaster, columnist, commentator, contributor, correspondent, cub, editor, hack, ink slinger, leg man, news director, news hen, news hound, newsman, newspaperman, pen pusher, pencil pusher, photographer, photojournalist, pressman, producer, publicist, reporter, scratcher, scribe, scrivener, stringer, videographer and writer.
So, what is online journalism?
Online journalism is the work of gathering, writing, illustrating, editing and disseminating news via the World Wide Web. The products of online journalism are Web pages that mix news text, audio, video, still photos and graphics.
In addition to online journalism, how else might we refer to this new, converged professional journalism – digital journalism, digital news, multimedia journalism, computer-assisted reporting, today's journalism, modern journalism, post-modern journalism, new media, interactive media, digital media, open media?
Whatever we call it, one thing is certain. Professionals in converged newsrooms need to have digital savvy, technical skills and broad knowledge. Today's journalists must be able to integrate the variety of traditional newsgathering and packaging skills used in traditional newspapers, magazines, and broadcast stations, combining them into presentations of news online.
For instance, newspaper reporters need to learn how to shoot video. Broadcast reporters need to learn how to write in the inverted pyramid style of story organization associated with newspapers.
What is interactivity?
Interactivity is created when a medium is able to respond immediately to a consumer. For instance, links embedded in a story to take the user other stories, an online news poll where a user can indicate preferences, or a chat room where a particular news story is discussed. Such interactive elements may allow a user to gain additional information selectively, to contribute to the context of the story, or to comment on the construction of the information package. Such fast-feedback paths are not available to readers or viewers of traditional media. Online interactivity allows one user's experience to differ from another's through choices an individual may make.
What is this course?
This course will guide you to new perspectives on what online journalism is, where it came from, and where it may be going. We will illuminate the important considerations of online journalism – its history, convergence, ethics, politics, digital information sources, and technological ways and means.
Course description and purpose:
Journalism is changing with the rise of the Internet, in particular its World Wide Web element. News immediacy is increasing, while state-of-the-art technology is increasingly an integral part of the newsgathering operation. However, fundamental journalistic principles and skills remain at the core of what journalists do.
This upper-division course introduces the standards and practices of professional news production for the Web. It provides an overview of the technical foundations of online journalism. It shows how to report, write, and edit for online media, and discusses the various practices of online journalism, including writing and editing stories for publication online, designing and building Web pages, and using links in news stories.
The course highlights the difference between traditional forms of journalism and online publishing, including the capabilities and advantages of online journalism. It describes the most relevant skills and practical applications used in the field.
The course discusses ethical and legal considerations including libel, obscenity and indecency, and copyright. It also depicts the online medium's role in society and its economic aspects. It emphasizes the basic principles of all journalism objectivity, fairness, and accuracy.
The Internet is taking journalism in new directions. This course explores the opportunities and challenges that confront online journalists in the 21st century.
A powerful new force is sweeping through the print and broadcast media professions in the 21st century. A dynamic state-of-the-art concept bringing fundamental changes to the industry, convergence refers to the coming together of formerly distinct mass media activities to create a popular new medium. It blends content from a variety of old media print, broadcast, electronic into a new media stream of information and entertainment on the Internet. This course will include a strong emphasis on re-purposing content for the Web.
For a very long time, we humans have depended on something we now call "the news" as our primary source of information about the world we live in. In recent decades, most people have obtained their news from television newscasts produced by local stations, national broadcast networks and cable news networks. They also have obtained news from local newspapers, radio stations, and news magazines.
Today, our interests are changing. When major news breaks, most people now turn quickly to a news website to learn more. Graphic footage and accounts of the latest happenings are delivered to us wherever we are 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Who is producing the news published on those websites? The answer is local television and radio stations, and newspapers; and national broadcast and cable news networks, and newspapers and magazines.
Because the trend is pointing toward viewing habits that eventually will make secondary the news programs broadcast over the air and via cable channels, and newspapers and magazines, it will be of great importance to your future career for you to start now in preparing to work in a converged environment.
Not only in this course, but also during the life of your academic degree program and in your professional career later, you should find it essential to stay up-to-date on current events, which change constantly. To remain up-to-date, you should read a major newspaper every day in addition to watching broadcast or cable news operations. For instance, you might choose to read the Charlotte Observer, Raleigh News & Observer, New York Times, Washington Post, or USA Today. You also should read a weekly newsmagazine such as Time or Newsweek.
How will you, as a media professional, know and understand trends in newsgathering and dissemination? You should read the professional weekly business journals such as Broadcasting & Cable (radio and television), Editor & Publisher (newspapers), Folio (magazines), or Advertising Age (advertising). These publications are in the UNCP library and all have affiliated websites.
Foust, James C. Principles and Practices of News for the Web. Scottsdale, AZ: Holcomb Hathaway, Publishers, 2005. ISBN: 978-1-890871-56-7
Craig, Richard. Online Journalism: Reporting, Writing, and Editing for New Media. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth-Thomson Learning, 2005. ISBN: 0534531466
Monday and Wednesday:
10-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m.
In addition, Dr. Curtis
frequently can be found in his office at other times during weekdays.
Office: 247 Old Main /
phone: 521-6616 / email: acurtis@uncp.edu
Course Assignments:
Assignments include in-depth discussions with your colleagues in the classroom, Web news writing and production, and presentations to the class.
Your writings, presentations and participation in response to assignments will be judged subjectively by the professor on quality of content, value of submission, sophistication of contribution, professional workmanship, originality and uniqueness, craftsmanship, organization, creativity, communicative value, and technical aspects.
Evaluation of Written
Submissions:
Generally,
there are no right or wrong responses to assignments. Rather, the professor
measures all submissions on three concurrent spectra content, organization
and mechanics. These parallel tracks range from weak to strong.
Writing assignments that you submit must reach the assigned length. Written matter must be typewritten on one side of paper with appropriate formatting. The appropriate AP broadcast style must be followed. Appropriate professional editing must be used. Be sure your name is on your work along with any page headers and footers as assigned by the professor.
Evaluation of written work will be based on appropriateness of content, clarity of purpose, clear and concise writing style, efficient use of words, grammar, spelling, mechanics, organization, preparation, proper use of appropriate broadcast journalism style, and attention to deadline.
Deadlines are extremely important in broadcast journalism. Hand in your assignments at the beginning of class on the assigned day. Late assignments will be penalized. Assignments will not be accepted one week after the due date.
Evaluation of Class
Presentations:
You are encouraged to use a variety of audio-visual aids that may be appropriate to your presentations. Presentations must reach the assigned length of time. Evaluation of your presentation will be based on clarity of purpose, organization, preparation, clear delivery, grammar, efficient use of words and audio-visual aids.
Any presentation paperwork required for submission to the professor must be typewritten on one side of paper. Be sure to hand the presentation paperwork to the professor before delivering a presentation. Please make sure your name is on it.
This is a 300-level upper-division course. Attention to deadlines is extremely important. You must deliver your presentation on the assigned date.
Evaluation of
Participation:
Attendance is very important. Classroom communication is a process of sharing. Your observations, insights and analyses are valuable to the whole class. Your participation will be reflected in a concrete way in your semester grade. Your discussion contributions will be judged subjectively by the professor on quality of content, value of submission, sophistication of contribution, originality and uniqueness, and communicative value.
The success of the seminar discussion style of this course relies on your full participation. Just as you must make your presentation on an assigned day, it is equally important for you to view your classmates' presentations. Please respect your colleagues and attend all in-class presentations. Non-attendance for the presentations of others in the class will be penalized.
How to Succeed: Contribute spontaneously and richly to course discussions and team activities. Listen to the comments of others and respond respectfully. Respect the ideas of others and their right to express them.
* Assume a leadership role. Be a guide or coach for others in the class if and when such a contribution would be desirable. Voluntarily help other students, but remember that doing work for someone else to submit is inappropriate.
Grading Considerations:
Grades for each of your assignments will be based upon a professional standard. Although you may be writing your broadcast news copy in this class, the professor will evaluate your work according to its suitability for broadcast on radio or television or use on a news Web site whose standards correspond to the industry-wide norm.
At the outset, it is understood that your broadcast journalism skills may be weak. The professor will take this into account and your semester grade will be based upon improvement, growth and consistent effort through the semester.
How to Succeed: A successful approach in this course is to be self-motivated, self-directed, and self-disciplined. Gather the needed technology skills and approach the course with a desire to learn. Manage your time well.
Evaluation Criteria for
Letter Grades:
*
Excellent or A
Professional quality work on the assignment. An insightful, relevant,
newsworthy subject. Story or presentation involves the listener/viewer in its
drama, humor, ethos or pathos. Technique is flawless with perfect content,
organization and mechanics. Information supporting the story or presentation is
complete and accurate. Wording is precise. The writing explores the story at
different levels and does not simply make the same point from different
perspectives. Distinguished work perfectly suitable for broadcast.
*
Good or B
Competent, functional story-telling or presentation for the assignment.
Journeyman broadcast journalism. Clear copy that makes a significant point
efficiently in support of the story or presentation. Appropriate expression of
active, believable, revealing description. Details are thorough and accurate.
Writing and presentation mechanics and organizational techniques are of a high
order. The story or presentation is balanced. Suitable for broadcast.
*
Acceptable or C
Average, run-of-the-mill story-telling or presentation for the assignment.
Properly written, produced or presented, but the content is merely average quality.
Probably suitable for broadcast, but undistinguished. The story or presentation
offers little insight into why the subject is newsworthy. Content is adequate
to identify the subject, but poorly organized. Mechanics are good, but
minimally so. Minimally acceptable for broadcast.
*
Poor or D
Unacceptable work on the assignment. A combination of flaws in conceptualizing,
researching, organizing, writing and presenting render the work unsatisfactory.
This is work, which with better planning and extra effort, might have been
suitable for broadcast. Less than acceptable work; below average. Not suitable
for broadcast.
*
Unacceptable or F
Completely unacceptable work on the assignment. Decidedly unprofessional.
Weaknesses in journalistic thinking, broadcast writing technique, and/or
professionalism have resulted in a failure on this assignment. Inaccuracies and
other content errors, poor mechanics, non-broadcast organization, and/or missed
deadlines have reduced the assignment to failure. Not suitable for broadcast.
Final Grade:
You will be graded subjectively by the professor on broadcast news writing and production, presentations to the class, in-depth discussions with your colleagues in the classroom and other aspects of attendance and participation, and indication of your growth of understanding of the elements of broadcast journalism.
Your final semester grade will be based on the professor's evaluation of all of the work you complete and submit during the course. Attendance and enthusiastic participation form a significant portion of the semester grade.
Very important considerations for success include:
* perfection of written materials
* success of presentations
* punctuality on assignments
* participation in class discussions
* cooperation on class activities
* attendance at class meetings
The grading scale used for this course is:
100-90%=A to A-; 89-80%=B+ to B-; 79-70%=C+ to C-; 69-60%=D+ to D-; 59% and below=F.
Student Academic Honor Code: You have the responsibility to know and observe the UNCP Academic Honor Code which forbids cheating, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials, fabrication, or falsification of information, and complicity in academic dishonesty.
Special Assistance: Please see the professor as soon as possible if you have questions or difficulty. Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the professor, as early in the semester as possible, preferably within the first week. All discussions will remain confidential. Please contact Mary Helen Walker, Disability Support Services, DF Lowry Building, 521-6695.
You may read the Craig and
Foust chapters straight through on your own schedule. Your professor reserves
the right to proceed through the course materials at an appropriate pace, as
needed, depending on work accomplished in class meetings and the needs of
students enrolled in the course. As we proceed through the semester, the timing
of activities may change as more or less time may be required to complete
topics. Textbook chapters and the semester calendar are on the next page.
Textbook
Chapters:
Why Is
Online Journalism Different? Craig chapter 1 Introduction to Online Journalism, Foust
chapter 1
The
Job of the Online Journalist, Craig chapter 2 Tools and Terminology, Foust chapter 2
Generating
and Focusing Story Ideas, Craig chapter 3 HTML and Authoring, Foust chapter 3
Web
Resources and Databases, Craig chapter 4 Working in Online Journalism, Foust
chapter 4
Sources
and Interviewing, Craig chapter 5 Using Online Reporting Sources, Foust
chapter 5
Online
Writing Styles, Craig chapter 6 Web Page Design, Foust chapter 6
Hooking
and Keeping Readers, Craig chapter 7 Writing and Editing Online, Foust
chapter 7
Revving
Up Your Writing, Craig chapter 8 Using Links in Online Stories, Foust
chapter 8
The
Last Minute(s) , Craig chapter 9 Multimedia and Interactivity, Foust
chapter 9
An
Uphill Battle: Online Copy Editing, Craig chapter 10 Legal and Ethical Issues, Foust chapter
10
The
Online Editor/Utility Infielder, Craig chapter 11 Opportunities and Challenges, Foust chapter 11
Multimedia
for News, Craig chapter 12
Basic
Online Layout, Craig chapter 13
Online
Standards vs. Journalistic Standards, Craig chapter 14
Legal
Issues Online and Offline, Craig chapter 15
Ethics
in Cyber-Land, Craig chapter 16
The
21st Century Journalist, Craig chapter 17
Semester
Calendar:
Week of Jan. 10:
Week of Jan. 17:
Weeks of Jan.
24:
Weeks of Jan.
31:
Weeks of Feb. 7:
Weeks of Feb.
14:
Weeks of Feb. 21:
Weeks of Feb.
28:
Week of Mar. 7:
Spring
Break Mar. 7-11
Weeks of Mar.
14:
Week of Mar. 21:
Week of Mar. 28:
Week of Apr. 4:
Week of Apr. 11:
Week of Apr. 18:
Week of Apr. 25:
Last
class on Apr. 28