The
course

This course is restricted to journalism majors. It is designed to provide an introduction to journalism (as opposed to the survey of all mass media provided by JOR 110). It also is designed to introduce you to the history, philosophy and issues that are at the core of the study of journalism as well as help you begin to understand the range of journalistic activity. By the end of the semester, you should understand that although you may have chosen to major in journalism because you like to write or aspire to be a TV reporter, there is much more to being a journalist than mastering skills.

Course
goals

Upon completion of this course, you should . . .

Ä Be able to describe what journalists do -- and why -- and be able to discuss the roles of journalism and journalists in American society

Ä Be able to recognize the similarities and differences between the practice of journalism in the United States and in other countries

Ä Be able to identify major eras, individuals, concepts and philosophies related to the First Amendment and the development of American journalism

Ä Be familiar with the resources available to journalism scholars, including books, journals and trade publications, and use them for research

Ä Be able to discuss and write about issues facing contemporary journalists in a critical manner

To learn more about what these goals mean and how to meet them, see the chart at www.uri.edu/artsci/jor/115goals.pdf

Required
texts

Ä The Elements of Journalism by Kovach and Rosenstiel (referred to as EJ).

Ä What Good Is Journalism? ed. George Kennedy and Daryl Moen (referred to as WG).

Both books are worth keeping for your personal library.

Required
programs

You are required to attend two Journalism Department-sponsored events and complete brief assignments related to them. You have plenty of time to make arrangements for both dates:

Ä Annual Amanpour Lecture on Wednesday 14 October at 7 p.m.

Ä Journalism Day program on Thursday 5 November from 9:30 -10:45 a.m.

Sakai

Sakai is a set of software tools designed to help instructors, researchers and students create websites for collaboration. URI is using Sakai for online instruction; you can log on to Sakai via eCampus or the URI home page. Then you might want to bookmark it.

I am taking advantage of Sakai features to provide resources and assignments to you. Everyone on my class list should have gotten a notice from me about the course site.

One feature of Sakai allows for the posting and electronic submission of assignments. This is how you will submit all assignments. I am not accepting paper!

We are learning Sakai together, so be patient. Begin exploring it asap.

Class
format

I expect you to assume responsibility for some of each class periodπs activity. So come to each class prepared. Read -- critically — all of what you are assigned. Be prepared to be frustrated. Ask questions. Find the answers you need. Donπt believe everything you read or are told (take heed of the old editor who cautioned a new reporter: "If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out."). Practice patience. Take charge of your own education.

Follow the news daily: read a newspaper! Think that is asking too much? Consider what Jane Pauley, former co-anchor of The Today Show and Dateline NBC, once told a group of journalism educators:

We had an intern several years ago . . . who once said to me: "I've been so busy this summer I haven't had time to look at a newspaper." And the lecture I gave him is . . . If you're not absorbed by the daily newspaper, if that's not the first thing you want to see [in the morning], if you don't subscribe to a weekly news magazine and really love reading it, why are you in this industry? What do you think you're studying?

Time
required

The number of credits you receive for a course is determined by the time/effort required by the course. The "formula" is that for every one hour you spend in class, you should spend a minimum of two hours preparing for class. Thus, because you spend three hours a week in class, you should plan to spend at least six hours a week outside of class on JOR 115 reading and assignments. Putting in less time is your choice, but understand that grades reflect performance (not potential, not effort, not good intentions).

Academic
integrity

I will adhere to the universityπs policies on plagiarism and cheating, which means that any student who plagiarizes written material and/or cheats on a test will fail that assignment and could fail the course. Consult your URI Student Handbook for complete details. If you have any questions about what meets the definition of cheating and/or plagiarism, please ask.

Attendance
and
participation

I expect you to attend every class. Equally as important, I expect you to be engaged by the course and to participate appropriately.

I do not connect your course grade to your attendance. (If I am doing my job, you will not be able to do well in the course without being in class.)

I do not accept late work and I do not allow make-up assignments or exams – unless your absence is for university-sanctioned activities, or you can document your own illness or the death of someone close to you.

Illness due to flu: The H1N1 Flu Pandemic may impact classes this semester. If any of us develop flu-like symptoms, we are being advised to stay home until the fever has subsided for 24 hours.  So, if you exhibit such symptoms, please do not come to class. Notify me with a phone call or

e-mail. We will work together to ensure that course instruction and work are completed for the semester.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have posted simple methods to avoid transmission of illness. These include covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; frequently washing your hands to protect from germs; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and staying home when you are sick.

Students with

disabilities

Any student with a documented disability should contact me immediately so that we can work out reasonable accommodations to support your success in this course. Such students should also contact Disability Services for Students, 330 Memorial Union, 874-2098.

Professional

behavior

The classroom is our ≥office.≤ Begin now to develop the habits that will serve you best in the ≥real world.≤ Be prepared for me to challenge you personally if you are not professional.

Ä Be here on time.

Ä Use the bathroom before class. It is rude to leave the room once class has begun.

Ä Turn off cell phone, iPod, pager, Blackberry etc.

Ä Come prepared with notebook, pen, etc. Computers can be used for note-taking only.

Ä No food or drinks in the classroom. No exceptions!

Ä Discuss / debate respectfully. Challenge ideas; don't attack people.

Ä It is rude to talk when someone else is talking, whether that someone is me or a classmate. So don't!

Ä Think about what you are wearing. Hats, PJs and slippers – for example -- are unprofessional and unacceptable.

Course

grade

Your grade for the course will be determined by your performance on a variety of assignments and exams, and your participation. You will be able to track your progress using the Gradebook on Sakai. Grades will be recorded in points, with the course totaling 1,000 points. Corresponding letter-grade-ranges are 90% A's, 80% B's, 70% C's, 60% D's and 0-59% F.

Class participation (including activities)

& Reflections = 200 points

International journalism assignment = 50 points

Interview with a journalist =50 points

Film analysis = 50 points

Exam 1 = 100 points

Exam 2 = 150 points

Exam 3 = 150 points

Research assignment = 250 points

NOTE: Missing any of the Exams or failing to do the Research assignment will result in an F for the course!

Reading

notes

You are encouraged to prepare Reading Notes for each reading assignment. Guidelines are available via Sakai Resources.

Participation &

activities

Participation means contributing meaningfully to class discussions.

I anticipate a variety of in- and out-of-class activities.

International

journalism assignment

Assignment will be available on Sakai.

Interview a

journalist

You will conduct a brief interview with someone who is doing or has done any type of professional journalism. Assignment will be available on Sakai.

Film

analysis

You will watch one of the films from the list provided (Sakai Resources) and write an analysis of it following the instructions provided (Sakai Assignment). You can do a second film analysis for extra credit. NOTE: Many films are available from the URI Library.

Exams

You will have three exams designed to see how well you understand the course material and how well you can apply it. Exam formats will vary; I will talk about each at an appropriate time.

Reflections

You should keep all the work you do for this class. I suggest you use a binder with several pockets or an "accordion" folder. At the end of the semester, you will be required to reflect on your work using a set of guidelines I will provide.

Senior

portfolio

Beginning with students entering URI in Fall π09, journalism majors have a required 1-credit Senior Portfolio course, which will be taken concurrently with JOR 410. I will provide more information on this during the semester.

Research

assignment

Research is a vital component of journalism. Indeed, isnπt that what reporting is? So an important component of this course is the Research assignment. The assignment will be available on Sakai.

Extra

credit

Ä Journalism Day panel 11 a.m. [Memorial Union] (5 points)

Ä Journalism Day evening program [7 p.m. Swan Hall] (5 points)

Ä 2^nd Film Analysis (10 points)

Assignment details for each will be on Sakai.

Class

calendar

The course schedule follows. Some readings are to be determined.

The schedule is subject to change, with notice, depending on our progress.

Exam dates will not be changed. Note, especially, the third exam, which will be given during our University-assigned final exam period.

For

Read

Do / Due

15 Sept

What is Journalism For?

EJ: Preface, Introduction, Chapter 1

WG: Introduction, pp. 5-17

Be sure you have printed a copy of the syllabus for yourself. Bring it to each class.

17 Sept

Truth or truth?

EJ: Chapter 2

22 Sept

Our roots: Who do journalists work for?

First Amendment: http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/about.aspx?item=about_firstamd

EJ: Chapter 3

WG: pp. 18-33

24 Sept

Our roots contd.

WG: pp. 79-97

29

Sept

Our deep roots

John Milton's Areopagitica:

http://www.stlawrenceinstitute.org/vol14mit.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Areopagitica

1

Oct

Our deep roots contd.

John Stuart Mill's On Liberty:

http://www.serendipity.li/jsmill/jsmill.htm

http://www.bartelby.com/130/1.html

http://www.bartelby.com/130/2.html

Interview With a Journalist assignment is due

6

Oct

Introduction to journalism around the world

WG: pp. 98-112

http://arabia.reporters-sans-frontieres.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=280

http://arabia.reporters-sans-frontieres.org/article.php3?id_article=29031

8

Oct

Journalism around the world contd.

Bring copy of completed International Journalism assignment

13

Oct

Exam 1

15

Oct

No Class

20

Oct

Introduction to researching journalism

In preparation for the 27 Oct. class, listen to at least one hour of "All Things Considered" on WGBH or WRNI (it's on Mon-Fri late afternoon; time varies by station)

22

Oct

Journalism of verification EJ chapt. 4

Independence from faction EJ chapt. 5

27

Oct

WG pp. 34-78

29

Oct

Monitor power, offer voice to voiceless EJ chapt. 6

Journalism as a public forum EJ chapt. 7

3

Nov

Engagement and relevance EJ chapt. 8

Make news comprehensive, proportional EJ chapt. 9

5

Nov

A responsibility to conscience EJ chapt. 10

10

Nov

WG pp. 113-147

Journalism Day assignment is due

12

Nov

"Catch up" day

17

Nov

Exam 2

19

Nov

Today and tomorrow

WG pp. 148-160

EJ chapt. 11

24

Nov

"Rich Media, Poor Democracy" video

Last day to submit required Film Analysis

26

Nov

Thanksgiving

1

Dec

Today and tomorrow contd.

Readings TBA

3

Dec

Today and tomorrow contd.

Readings TBA

10

Dec

No class

Ä Research assignment due

Ä Last day to submit Extra Credit film analysis

15

Dec

9-11

Exam 3