2016-2017 Journalism/Newspaper Syllabus

Philosophy:

Our goal will be to report accurate and fair news highlighting the positive aspects of our school system. This is a student-run production class.  We provide a service for the school, as well as the community.  Students are involved in the process from the conception to the distribution phase of the newspaper.  Therefore, a higher level of responsibility and accountability is required. 

Overall Course Goals of Newspaper Classes:

 A. To produce a high quality publication as an end result of instruction and expansion of student skills.

 B. To teach organization, planning, successful group dynamics and leadership.

 C. To study newspaper coverage and audience needs.

 D. To teach time management skills.

 E  To teach principles of photojournalism.

 F. To teach writing and reporting techniques.

 G. To teach copy editing and proofreading of written materials.

 H. To teach layout and design concepts.

 I.  To teach advertising sales concepts.

Grades:

Writing stories, taking pictures, designing pages, selling ads, making deadlines and all of the other things that go into newspaper will make your grade. All students will be required to attend events outside of the journalism class period.  During this time, you will gather photos and information to write stories, captions and headlines.

Grade Distribution                                                    Standard Grading Scale

Participation– 40%                                                   90%- 100%     A

• Pitch Forms                                                     80-89%            B
• Weekly Article Analysis                                 70-79%            C

• Ad Sales                                                          60-69%            D        

Articles – 60%                                                           0-59%              F

• Edited Story
• Interviews
• Pictures
• Uploaded on-time

Tardy Policy

1.) Every student is allotted two free tardies each semester, as long as they are within two minutes of the final bell ring.

2.) On the third tardy, a referral will be written up and administrative consequences will be enacted.

Attendance Policy

After 10 absences a student may be dropped from the class with a failing grade.

Homework Policy: It is the responsibility of each student to contact Mrs. Headman about make-up work.  If you know in advance you will be absent, make sure you get your work in ahead of time and get someone to cover your responsibilities on the staff.  If you make your deadlines, it will be easy for us to cover you if you have to miss school unexpectedly.  However, if you are behind and miss school during a deadline, we will have to get someone else to do your work and there will be no way to make it up.

Classroom Rules/Consequences

No food, drink (except water) or gum is allowed in classrooms without permission. Be prepared to throw it away immediately.

Cell Phone/Laptop Use

You may use your cell phone and/or laptop during class. Our goal is to keep our news up-to-date so we will often check news sources during class. You will also need access to Google Drive during class to upload your stories and edit other stories.

Please bring and use your own equipment at your own risk.

Digital Camera/Technology Usage: Students are expected to be responsible for school-owned equipment used in journalism including but not limited to digital cameras, lenses, flash drives, SD cards, batteries, scanners, and camera bags. Students will be required to pay for lost, broken, or damaged equipment that they have checked out.

Lanyard Privileges

All students in Journalism/Newspaper will receive a colored lanyard to wear when they are out of class interviewing. You MUST sign-out with me before you leave to interview a student. You MUST return from interviewing after 10 minutes, unless you have prior approval. If you are found to be abusing lanyard privileges you will lose them and no longer be allowed to interview during class.

Diversity statement

All individuals have a right to an educational environment free from bias, prejudice and bigotry. As members of Hamilton High School educational community, students are expected to refrain from participation in acts of harassment that are designed to demean another student’s race, gender, ethnicity, religious preference, disability or sexual orientation.

Journalism Contract

I have read, understand, and agree to the terms outlined in this syllabus. I agree to meet all deadlines and complete all assigned work to the best of my ability. I understand that at times, I will be required to work outside of class to meet the academic and performance requirements of journalism.

______________________________________________ __________________   Student Signature                                                                   Date

______________________________________________

Student Email

______________________________________________ __________________

Parent/Guardian Signature                                                                              Date

Parent/Guardian phone number: _____________________________________

Parent/Guardian Email: ____________________________________________

Digital Camera/Technology Usage

Students are expected to be responsible for school-owned equipment used in journalism, including: digital cameras, SD cards, batteries, scanners, computers, and software. I understand that my student will be required to pay for lost or damaged equipment. Computer equipment must be cared for in a businesslike manner and misuse will not be tolerated.

______________________________________________ __________________ Parent/Guardian Signature                                                                         Date