University of North Texas

JOUR 5030 – Spring 2008

Visual Journalism

FINAL PROJECT

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 further develop your website/blog so that you can continue to maintain it beyond this class.

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.

Here’s the assignment:

1. Create a one-page description and outline of a blog you will create. DUE, MARCH 27.

a. In this description, please give me a brief story description, the potential sources and anticipated interactive elements.

b. This story may be focused campus-related issues, local or regional. Avoid issues that require any personal information. You must avoid subjects that rely on friends and/or families serving as your primary sources.

2. The blog must include at least a Home Page, About, News, Links as its basic pages.  You may have additional Pages and as many Categories as you feel are necessary.

3. FINAL PROJECTS ARE DUE: CLASSTIME, APRIL  24th . Presentations will begin that date based on names randomly identified during the April 17th class.

a. The basic content requirements are:

i. One (1) 500-word written news or feature story with a photo slide show consisting of at least 10 photos.

ii. Four (4) 150-word written stories that may be originally written and/or rewritten stories from existing news websites. You must include a link to the original story. These briefs could include additional background to your main story, information about people/places/things discussed in your story or related research about your story.

iii. You may substitute the one (1) 500-word story with a new story with one story that must be at least 90 seconds and no more than three (3) minutes. If you choose to do a video package, it must be specifically produced for this class, and must include more than three interviews.  You will be expected to post the video on your blog as well as the related script.

iv. If you are planning to do an audio package (a la NPR), you may substitute the one (1) 500-word story with at least one (1) package that  is at least that must be at least 90 seconds and no more than three (3) minutes . . If you choose to do an audio package, it must be specifically produced for this class, and must include more than three interviews. You will be expected to post the video on your blog as well as the related script.

4. You are free to use whatever free online tools and/or software currently available and accessible through the University of North Texas computers. E.g. audacity.com; soundslides.com, youtube.com, swivel.com, etc.

5. There will be designated LAB times to allow you to work on the project throughout the week, but we must coordinate those with other classes requiring the same equipment (cameras, digital recorders, edit time on computers, sound booth.).