Course Overview

Foundational and Specific Learning Objectives

Foundational objectives are broad objectives that are to be developed throughout a course. They cannot be achieved or met through a single lesson. Students, through a variety of developmental learning experiences, will gradually grow toward the achievement of the foundational objectives.

Learning objectives are the specific, lesson-related objectives through which the students achieve the foundational objectives. Learning objectives are specified in the description of each module in this curriculum guide. Teachers may add others as appropriate to activities and projects.

Foundational objectives and corresponding specific learning objectives for Journalism Studies 20 are as follows.

Students will:

recognize and appreciate the role of journalism in contemporary society and in their personal lives

• recognize how pervasive information is in contemporary society
• consider how print journalism has changed and evolved over the years
• recognize what is news
• understand the role of business and advertising in journalism
• understand how a newspaper is produced
• differentiate among the kinds of magazines
• understand how magazines serve both readers and advertisers
• evaluate how advertising affects magazine content
• assess the role magazines play in their lives
• understand how a magazine or newsletter is produced
• consider how electronic media , including the Internet, have changed journalism and will continue to affect it in the future
• understand how a radio or television production is created

recognize and explore the ways in which print and broadcast media create and present a message

• recognize the elements of a news story
• understand effective news gathering and editing techniques
• recognize the differences between a news story and sports writing
• understand the purpose of a news release
• understand the role of a news bureau
• understand the role of the editorial
• recognize various types and functions of editorial material
• identify the characteristics of new journalism and literary journalism
• understand the major functions of photographs in publications
• understand photo layout, cropping, sizing, and writing cutlines
• recognize how computers and desktop publishing are used in commercial journalism
• profile a magazine
• understand the organizational patterns of magazine articles
• recognize the difference between writing for electronic media and writing for print media
• understand the requirements for reporting news using radio, television, and the Internet
• understand and demonstrate copy editing for the electronic media
• understand the role of advertising in the electronic media
• recognize the importance of market research
• understand how a home page is planned and produced

recognize and create the various forms, conventions, and styles of journalistic writing

• recognize the role of news reporting in print media, especially newspapers
• recognize the basic formats used in newspapers
• use the inverted pyramid style of news writing
• write effective headlines
• write various types of news story leads and news stories
• write clear, informative sports stories
• identify the components of the editorial page
• write effective editorials
• compare a general-interest and a special-interest magazine
• identify conventions of feature stories
• develop feature writing skills
• write effective interview stories
• experiment with literary journalism
• recognize the impact of effective photography
• take effective photographs
• experiment with design and layout using a computer and desktop publishing program
• compare the design and layout of various magazines
• explain how titles and articles are used to sell magazines
• identify the conventions of the electronic media
• apply understanding of print journalism to the electronic media
• write effective advertising copy
• determine and plan a project in one area of journalism
• complete and present a project
• prepare a school or community newspaper targeted at a particular audience
• prepare a magazine or newsletter targeted at a particular audience
• prepare a simulated television or radio broadcast
• prepare an effective ad
• design and produce a home page with hypertext links

recognize the attributes of quality journalism and the legal, ethical, and moral issues which confront the free press

• evaluate the quality and reliability of various forms and examples of journalism
• distinguish fact from opinion
• quote accurately, paraphrase where appropriate, and use appropriate attribution methods
• understand the rights and responsibilities of the press
• understand the legal limitations on the media
• understand the limitations that may be imposed on student journalists, depending on school policy
• understand the concepts of libel and slander
• understand the concepts of stereotyping and ethnocentrism
• evaluate the concept of objectivity
• demonstrate responsible journalism

develop the speaking, listening, reading, writing, viewing, and representing skills needed to create various print publications and broadcast productions

• recognize the importance for journalists of interviewing, researching, and reporting
• demonstrate fact-gathering, research, and writing skills necessary for in-depth reporting
• speak to share thoughts, opinions, and feelings
• speak to clarify and extend thinking
• speak to inform
• prepare a dramatic reading
• present a sales package
• listen to understand and learn
• listen with purpose and concern for ideas
• conduct an interview skillfully
• recognize a speaker’s attitude, tone, and bias
• recognize writing as a process of constructing meaning for themselves and others
• present their point of view in a written work
• analyze and evaluate their own and others’ writing
• state and evaluate an author’s theme, tone, and viewpoint
• assess an author’s ideas and techniques
• relate the structure of the work to the author’s purpose and theme
• compare, contrast, and evaluate texts
• locate, assess, and summarize information from a variety of sources
• use a journalism style guide
• demonstrate effective writing, design, and production techniques
• recognize the value of teamwork and co-operation

Curriculum Content

Using language for print or electronic media is essentially the same. Both employ, for example, the same writing process. Both are created for a public audience and a specific purpose; both have similar content; both must address similar ethical issues; both have similar stylistic requirements. Differences are found mainly in the forms and conventions and in the fact that the electronic media are more concerned with the immediate effects upon the viewers or listeners. The key is to learn the basic craft and art of journalism for all media.

Module 1 explores the components and issues of print journalism. Students learn about gathering and writing news, reporting ethically, preparing editorials, writing features, preparing photos, and evaluating magazines and advertising. This unit develops key concepts for the rest of the course.

Module 2 asks students to apply their understanding of print journalism to one of the electronic media --television, radio, or the Internet.

Module 3 gives students an opportunity to choose one aspect of journalism and explore it in more depth. Students may wish to begin exploring Module 3 early in the course in order to start thinking about and planning for work on their project throughout the course.

Students will be given the opportunity to use a variety of subjects, forms, and styles that are common to both print and electronic media. They will write news stories, feature stories, sport stories, columns, editorials, reviews, documentaries, news commentaries, and historical drama. News and the news writing process serve as a starting point for the course. The time and purpose for each module is shown next.

Module 1 Print Journalism Time: 40 hours Purpose: To introduce the basic processes and issues involved in writing for print media.

Module 2 Electronic Journalism Time: 30 hours Purpose: To apply understanding of print journalism to one of the electronic media—television, radio, or the Internet.

Module 3 On Assignment Time: 30 hours Purpose: To explore an area of journalism in more depth.