Course Description

Beginning journalists will acquire the skills to write practical news stories under deadline pressure with a focus on accuracy, balance, and style. Writing assignments will include police stories, obituaries, speech coverage, round-ups, and feature stories. ADVISORY: ENGL C1000 (English A100) or concurrent enrollment. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: JOUR 110.C-ID: JOUR 110.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Write a completely balanced news article utilizing reporting, research and writing skills traditional to journalistic style.

Course Objectives

• 1. Demonstrate an ability to write a clear and concise lead.
• 2. Accurately use the Associated Press Stylebook and other reference materials.
• 3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of what is news and how to report as evidenced in the types of stories and topics students develop.
• 4. Demonstrate accuracy and balance newspaper writing and editing.
• 5. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the First Amendment and journalistic responsibility in the articles students write.
• 6. Form the skills needed to progress onto the campus newspaper or enroll in a feature writing class.
• 7. Conduct a thorough, informative information-gathering interview.
• 8. Cover a mock press conference and produce a full new story of the event.

Lecture Content

• Introduction to Journalism - the role of journalism in society, the First Amendment, and the differences between Academic versus Journalistic Writing. 
• Introduction to the Inverted Pyramid Style and its role in news writing.
• Discussion on Newsworthiness and News Value. 
• Introduction to the Associated Press (AP) Style.
• Writing Effective News Leads / Writing Headlines and Captions.
• Journalism Ethics and Professional Standards.
• Writing Obituaries.
• How to re-write and edit stories.
• Quotes, Attributions, Source Development, Fact-Checking and Verification.
• Libel, Defamation, and Media Law.
• Crime and Incident Reporting
• News Features and Generating Story Ideas.
• Interviewing Techniques for Journalists.
• Writing a News Story Pitch.
• Digital Journalism Basics.  
• Careers and Opportunities in Journalism.  

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
• DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

Instructor lecture in the techniques used by journalists coupled with deadline reporting and writing skills developed in a newsroom-like setting.

Reading Assignments

Students will spend 2-3 hours weekly (36 hours) completing readings as directed by instructor from textbook selection

Writing Assignments

Students will spend 2-3 hours weekly (36 hours) writing news and feature stories with minimal style and spelling errors and will demonstrate an understanding of what makes news. Stories will reflect an understanding of basic journalistic style.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend 2-3 hours weekly (36 hours) write news and feature stories with minimal style and spelling errors and will demonstrate an understanding of what makes news. Stories will reflect an understanding of basic journalistic style.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

• Written Assignments
• Essay Examinations
• Report
• Projects (Individual/Group)

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will write and rewrite a variety of news, feature, interview, mock press conference, and speech stories throughout the semester. Clarity of understanding of journalistic techniques and obligations will be demonstrated in student work.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will write and rewrite a variety of news, feature, interview, mock press conference, and speech stories throughout the semester. Clarity of understanding of journalistic techniques and obligations will be demonstrated in student work.

Resources Subscreen

• Textbook: Associated Press . The Associated Press Stylebook. Associated Press (2024-2026).
• Textbook: The Missouri Group. News Reporting and Writing 13E. Bedford / St. Martin's / MacMillan Learning (2022).

Eligible Discipline(s)

• Journalism: Master’s degree in journalism or communication with a specialization in journalism OR bachelor’s degree in either of the above AND master’s degree in English, history, communication, literature, composition, comparative literature, any social science, business, business administration, marketing, graphics, or photography OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.