University of North Texas
Department of Journalism
Online Journalism - JOUR 3340
Semester: Spring 2009
Instructor: Neil Foote, Instructional Assistant Professor, GAB 109
Phone: Office: 940.369.8088; Cell: 214.448.3765
Email: neil@neilfoote.com (preferred) or foote@unt.edu
Office hours: By appointment or immediately following class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Class Meetings: Throughout the course of the semester we will meet in two difference classroom/labs: GAB 319 and GAB 101 (NewsLab).
Text: Convergent Journalism: An Introduction–Writing and Producing Across Media (Paperback) by Stephen Quinn (Editor), Vincent Filak (Editor)
Recommended Reading: “We the Media, Grassroots Journalism for the People, By the People”, Dan Gilmour (O’Reilly Media, 334 pp)
Additional readings will be made available online or be held on reserve at the library.
Course Objectives
By the end of this class you will:
- Learn how traditional media has transformed from analog to digital
- Learn how to write for the web and understand the fundamentals of multimedia storytelling
- Understand basic concepts of how news media websites function, including understanding how to identify the elements of website design and critique functionality
- Learn how to post content – text, video and audio – on the web
- Maintain your own blog
- Publish a final website project showcasing your reporting, writing and multimedia storytelling skills
This class will combine lectures, discussion, in class assignments and reading assignments. This will be a hands on class where you will be using your basic journalism skills as well as learn the basics of integrating audio, photographs, graphics and video to enhance your articles. There will be regular and timely assignments where you will analyze, critique and discuss current practices of interactive tools on media websites.
Additionally, this course addresses nine of the ACEJMC core competencies (#1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11):
1. Understand and apply First Amendment principles and the law appropriate to professional practice.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups in a global society in relationship to communications.
4. Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.
5. Work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
6. Think critically, creatively and independently.
7. Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.
8. Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
9. Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
10. Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
11. Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
Getting the Most Out of This Class
Since the goal of this class is to prepare you for a potential career in electronic media, you will be expected to become as knowledgeable as possible about the current media trends and issues. At the beginning of the course, each of you will be assigned to find a multimedia story or some other interactive element from a NEWS website tied to one of the day’s top stories. You will present your findings to the class, and write a 300 – 400 word post for your blog.
You may draw from any number of the recommended sites below:
University Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism, in a nutshell, is using other people’s written words as your own. Some people consider the use of seven to ten words in a row, copied from another source, as plagiarism. Be sure to include citations when using other people’s writing, because plagiarism is a serious offense in any discipline, especially journalism. It’s a firing offense in the professional world. In the Department of Journalism and Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism at UNT, students face a range of penalties for plagiarism (depending on the importance of the assignment):
- A grade of ‘F’ on a minor assignment;
- A request that the student drop the class;
- Withdrawal of the student form class, initiated by the professor;
- An ‘F’ for the course;
- A referral to the UNT Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities;
- A notation on the student’s transcript; and,
- Expulsion from the university.
A combination of these penalties may also be used. If you need more information or have questions about plagiarism, ask your nearest journalism professor or visit the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities.
DISABILITIES. The Journalism Department, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, makes reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. If you require any such accommodation, please contact the instructor within the first three weeks of class.
IMPORTANT DATES
January 20 Classes start
Jan 27 – Feb 2 Add/Drop **
March 12 Mid-term @ 11am
March 16 – 20 Spring Break
March 26th Final Project Proposal Due
Final Presentations April 30th, May 5th & May 7th
** Consult with Journalism Department office or Registrar for refund details.
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(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Course Outline
Week 1:
Jan. 20
Introduction: Review syllabus, grading, class format.
Jan. 22
Overview: Discuss evolution, role and importance of online journalism.
Blog Assignment #1 due
Week 2: Jan. 27 & 29
Create Blog /Setting up iGoogle Page
Types of Convergence/Characteristics of Online News
Writing for the Web – Part 1
Setting up my WordPress blog:
READING for Class:
Writing for the Web
http://www.usability.gov/design/writing4web.html
Week 3: Feb 3 & 5
Components of the Online News Story
Story Forms
Writing for the Web – Part II: Headlines, AP Style
Week 4: Feb. 10 & Feb. 12
News v. Blogs: Defining the Difference. Are blogs journalism? Analysis of media blogs v. pundits. What are the elements of a blog? What makes a good blog?
News Websites: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly / Analyzing/Critiquing websites
Blog Assignment #2 due
Week 5: Feb. 17 & Feb 19
Reporting for Web: Crowdsourcing, Content Aggregation
GUEST SPEAKER
Blog Assignment: #3 due
Week 6: Feb. 24 & Feb 26
Online Layout/Elements of Website Design/HTML 101
Storyboarding/Story Structure
Creating a Slide Show
Blog Assignment: #4 due
Week 7: March 3 & March 5
Defining the Audience: Who’s Reading/Viewing/Clicking?
Hooking Your Readers/Viewers/Social Bookmarking/RSS Feeds
Final Project Discussion
Week 8: March 10 & March 12
March 12 - Mid-Term Exam
March 16 – 20: SPRING BREAK
Week 9: March 24
Defining/Discussing Digital Storytelling
Tools of the Digital Journalist
March 26: User-Generated News: Blogs, Twitter, Podcasts, Facebook, Myspace, NING
DUE March 26: FINAL PROJECT PROPOSAL
GUEST SPEAKER
Week 10: March 31 & April 2
Adding Dimension to Online News; Using Graphics and Links/Cool sites & tools; maps, timelines, polls
Blog Assignment: #5 due
Week 11: April 7 & April 9
Politics & the Web: Impact of the 2008 Presidential Election
Nontraditional News Websites
Week 12: April 14 & April 16
Ethics: Doing the Right Thing
Legal/Copyright: Knowing What’s Right
GUEST SPEAKER
Week 13: April 21 & April 23
Future Trends: What’s New, What’s Next
Innovation & Ideas – Mobile Technology
Blog Assignment: #6 due
Week 14: April 28
Final Project Workshop
APRIL 30th - Final class presentations Begin
Week 15: May 5 & May 7
Final Class presentations
GRADING:
There are several components of this class that contribute to your grade:
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS – 25%
BLOG ENTRIES – 15%
MID-TERM EXAM – 20%
FINAL PROJECT – 30%
TEACHER EVALUATION – 10%
TOTAL POSSIBLE …………………………..100%
FINAL GRADE SCALE:
100 – 90 = A
89 – 80 = B
79 – 70 = C
69 – 60 = D
59 – Below = F
NOTE: The work you do in this class must be original and may not be turned in for any other class. You are allowed to use equipment assigned to this class and, with approval from the professor, other equipment as long as it is similar to the equipment accessible from the University.
You must follow all rules and guidelines related to checking out any audio/visual equipment. Any violation of those guidelines will limit or completely restrict your usage of the equipment. You also are responsible for all costs related to any damage to the equipment.
WRITING ASSIGMENTS
Your in-class and homework assignments include writing from wire copy, newspaper/magazine/e-zine articles, notes, tapes/CDs, lectures, your own interviews and textbooks. Since this class is preparing you for a real-life journalism experience, you must follow the rules accuracy, clarity, conciseness, spelling, usage, grammar. You are expected to know and understand AP Style for print or broadcast. You must meet all deadlines. You can not make up in-class writing assignments.
BLOG ENTRIES
Part of your experience of becoming a journalist of the 21s Century is that you constantly practice the craft. During the first week of class, we will set up your course-related blog at WordPress.com. On this site, you must write a weekly item that discusses any issue related to electronic media, which may discuss and/or analyze topics we discuss in class or items you find in the news or on media websites. You will be given a specific assignment that will be tied to a certain aspect we are currently studying in class. Your weekly posting must be made BEFORE the Thursday class at 11am.
At least once during the class, you will be responsible for posting an analysis of an interactive tool based on daily news. This posting will be due BEFORE the class you are making the presentation.
MID-TERM EXAM
This exam will include questions over the text, lectures, notes, speakers, writing assignments, exercises, handouts, speakers, and class discussions.
FINAL PROJECT
This project is going to reflect a culmination of all your coursework. Your final project is designed to: (1) Take our class readings, discussions and analysis and put them into practice; (2) Tap into your skill as a journalist and novice at understanding how the internet works, particularly how content can be presented on the Internet; and (3) Allow you to create a blog that could serve as an important component of your portfolio. Your final grade for this project will be based on your thoroughness in reporting and writing; use of interactivity (e.g. use of related links, photos, slideshows, audio and video), your creativity and your 10-minute in-class presentation. You are not expected or required to hire a web designer or a programmer. All the tools you need are readily available for free on the web, and do not require any sophisticated technical knowledge.
TEACHER EVALUATION:
You will be judged throughout the semester on your attendance participation, creativity, energy, ideas and overall improvement.
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