News 201

Writing Statement

The Departments of Journalism and Telecommunications regard writing performance and language usage proficiency as essential for the satisfactory completion of all journalism courses. Therefore, department instructors monitor writing performance and language usage proficiency in all courses. Student grades reflect writing, as well as reporting, criteria. This means that grading is based on the quality of writing (grammar, punctuation and usage/style) as well as research, reporting and analytical skills.

Supplemental Reading, Resources & Student Activities

In addition to the assigned texts and course handouts, students are expected to read at least one daily newspaper, a national newspaper (e.g., The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal) and a newsmagazine on a weekly basis. Students are encouraged to read professional journals and trade publications, including The Quill, American Journalism Review, Columbia Journalism Review, Broadcasting and Cable, Editor & Publisher, and RTNDA Communicator. Students are also expected to regularly watch local and national television news broadcasts and listen to NPR.

Students are required to attend at least three outside speakers this term ... at least one of which must be a Professional in Residence. Students are also expected to attend the 11th Annual Ball State/AP/RTNDA Fall Broadcast News Conference on Friday, October 6 (which would count as one or two outside speakers, depending on what was attended).

The Journalism Writing Center (AJ 382, 285-7412) web site is accessible via the Department of Journalism home page at www.bsu.edu/journalism. Online resources include “The Writer’s Workshop,” which contains interactive writing exercises and a gallery of material from BSU journalism faculty and national experts. Students who would like one-on-one tutoring in writing skills are encouraged to visit the Journalism Writing Center or the TCOM writing office.

All News 201 students are required to attend three approved outside events each semester--at least one of which must be a Professional in Residence. We will be notified each time you attend a PIR, but you must write and turn in a paragraph on any non-PIR you attend. Paragraphs MUST be turned in within one week of the speaker's appearance.

The Departments of Journalism and Telecommunications offer students a variety of activities to enhance their academic experience. Activities include student publications and student organizations. The departments also maintain active internship programs to assist students.

Internship Informational Meetings

Journalism majors must attend an Internship Informational Meeting during the fall 2006 term. Contact Sheryl Swingley, internship coordinator, AJ 381, 285-8688, sswingley@bsu.edu for more information on dates and times. TCOM students should contact Prof. Alan Richardson, BC 201 F, 285-1485 for more information about internship opportunities.

Disability Policy

If a student needs course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if a student has emergency medical information to share with the instructor, or if a student needs arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment to meet with your instructor within the first two weeks of the start of the semester.

Diversity Statement

The Departments of Journalism and Telecommunications are committed to creating an awareness of diversity issues as they relate to the society, to the workplace and to the classroom.

Attendance and Late Work Policy

On-time attendance in class is mandatory. Absence will affect your grade and could result in course failure. If you are consistently late for class, you will also have your course grade lowered. No late assignments will be accepted. Assigned (outside) class assignments must be handed in at the start of class on the due dates. Work turned in after the first ten minutes of class will be considered late and receive a "0." At the discretion of the instructor, deadlines may be extended and/or alternative assignments given for students to make up work missed in a class because of documented:

• emergency circumstances.
• university bereavement policy.
• medical contingency.
• authorized academic activity or varsity athletic participation.

The final decision in these instances will be up to the discretion of the instructor.

Required Manuscript Format

Unless otherwise noted, all assignments must be written using a third-person point-of-view. The rule against first-person writing is intended to prevent students from editorializing and/or inserting themselves as characters in their stories. If you have any questions about this or any other material contained in this syllabus, please meet with your instructor as soon as possible.

All NEWS 201 writing assignments (unless otherwise noted) must be typed or printed out, double-spaced, in letter-quality (not draft) mode in 10 or 12 point type/font size on 8 1/2" x 11" white paper. Staple together multi-page assignments. No handwritten work will be accepted.

Plagiarism

In compliance with Ball State University guidelines and widely accepted standards of journalism, plagiarism is strictly prohibited in this class. Anyone found to be plagiarizing will receive a grade of zero for the assignment in question. Plus, the instructor will present the facts of the situation to the chairs of the Departments of Journalism and Telecommunications for the appropriate disciplinary action.