Mass Communication 252
News Writing
Spring 2005
Syllabus
Class Time: 5M, 11:50 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Class Location: 106 Talbot
Instructor: Mrs. Felicia LeDuff Harry
How to reach the instructor:
Office location: Talbot Hall, Room 100-D
Office hours: MWF: 8:30-10:40 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. –2:30 p.m.
TTh: Appointments only.
Other times by appointment.
Office phone: Campus extension 4959
E-mail: felicia.harry @nicholls.edu
Course description (taken from the current University catalog): Advanced newsgathering, newswritng and interviewing techniques.
This course continues MACO 251 and is based on researching, gathering and writing news for newspapers; practice in writing news, with emphasis on accuracy, brevity, clarity. This is a writing intensive course.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of freshman English and Mass Communication 251. The majority of assignments will be completed on the computer using Word and Blackboard software. Students should be proficient in keyboarding.
Students will need:
Reporting for the Media, 8th Edition, by Fred Fedler, John R. Bender, Lucinda Davenport, Michael W. Drager.
Note: if you purchase this book used, make sure all pages are intact.
Stylebook and Libel Manual, The Associated Press
(also needed for every class session)
(Note: these should be brought to every class session)
Any college grammar handbook, such as The Little, Brown Handbook (any edition) or The Bedford Handbook (any edition)
Dictionary
At least one Zip 100 disk (which should be brought to every class).
_________________________________________________________________
News Consumption:
* The Nicholls Worth
*Daily and weekly newspapers (editorial and comic pages, especially)
*Local and national news broadcasts
*The MACO Bulletin Board (in the first floor hallway of Talbot Hall)
Course requirements:
Class time may be composed of lecture, questioning students directly on reading material, class discussions, exercises, guest speakers, student presentations, videotapes and other techniques appropriate for the course.
Participation, attendance and punctuality are expected of every student. Tardiness is a disservice to you, your classmates and the instructor. The University requires attendance records. Six absences will result in automatic failure of the course.
Students should refrain from using lab computers for personal use during class time, i.e. Òsurfing the netÓ, checking e-mail or doing work for other classes. Students observed doing these things will have ten points deducted from their total points without notice.
Absence (excused or unexcused) does not excuse a student from assignments, including reading assignments. An excuse only explains an absence, it does not erase it. Students should contact the instructor before the next class period to get assignments or to make arrangements for make-ups.
Make-ups will be allowed only when absences are excused by the instructor or appropriate University office. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor about make-ups prior to the next class period.
Students are expected to read all assigned materials. Reading prior to class prepares students to fully appreciate lecture materials, participate in class discussions and exercises and to avoid difficulty with tests and quizzes.
There will be cumulative midterm and final examinations, which will be administered according to the University schedule.
Note: Lab rules will be strictly enforced. Eating, drinking, chewing and tobacco use are absolutely prohibited at any place in the lab. This prohibition includes gum and mints!
Students should also turn off all mobile phones and pagers during class time.
No student may bring a guest into the classroom without specific, prior permission from the instructor—this includes parents, siblings, offspring and significant others.
Grading will be based on attendance and completion of assignments, activities and tests. No individual student will be afforded opportunities for extra credit, however, the instructor may offer extra credit opportunities that will be available to all students.
Six or more absences (excused or unexcused) may result in automatic failure of the course.
Grades are assigned on a ten percent scale, based on the percentage points earned of the total possible points:
100-90: A
89-80: B
79-70: C
69-60:D
59<: F
Plagiarism and other forms of dishonesty will be dealt with severely, the minimum penalty being failure in the course.
Students must complete all work (projects, assignments, examinations and quizzes, etc.) to receive a passing grade in the course. However, completion of all work does not guarantee a passing grade. Failure to complete any requirement may result in a failing grade.
Ethics and Diversity
These two important issues will be included in the course as part of lectures and assignments. Students will be expected to understand ethics as they relate to the field of mass communication and the significance of diversity in the profession.
A portfolio is required of every Mass Communication student. The studentÕs portfolio will be presented and graded in the capstone course of the studentÕs emphasis. Additional details on the portfolio may be found in the MACO Student Handbook. All work in MACO courses should be corrected and archived on disk and in hard copy for possible inclusion in the portfolio.
Special Assistance
Any student with a documented disability that requires special assistance should register with the Office of Disability Services for coordination of academic accommodations. This registration should take place in a timely manner for the benefit of the student. The Office of Disability Services is located in Peltier Hall, Room 100-A. The phone number is 985-448-4430 (TDD 499-7002)
Important Semester Dates:
Monday, January 17
Martin Luther King Day holiday, University closed
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
First day of classes
Monday, February 7 through Thursday, February 10
Mardi Gras break
(Evening classes resume Wednesday, February 9 at 4:00 p.m.)
Friday, February 11
Final date to apply for spring graduation
Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 11
Mid-term Examination Period
Schedule Available Online
Friday, March 28 through Monday, March 28
Tuesday, March 29 through Friday, April 1
Easter break and Spring break, No classes, University closed.
Thursday, April 7
Last day to drop or resign with automatic W
Monday, April 11
Registration for summer intersession and early registration for summer and fall sessions begin.
Friday, April 22
Final date to change previous incomplete grades
Friday, May 29
Last day of class
Monday, May 2 through Friday, May 6
Final Examination Period
Saturday, May 14
Spring Commencement
10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Students should keep this document for reference throughout the semester. It is also available in Blackboard under ÒCourse Documents.Ó