Introduction to Journalism

The course will explore all areas of digital media (newspaper, yearbook, broadcasting, online, social) and teach skills needed in all areas. Students will learn media convergence skills and continue to build their online portfolio presence. This introductory course focuses on a broad knowledge of journalism. Students will examine the production of all media formats. 

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Unit 1: Media Analysis 

• Explore history of journalism 
• Describe news, relating it to the First Amendment (liberties & restrictions) 
• Compare and contrast the eras of journalism 
• Analyze news stories and reports that focus on specific issues, people, and events 

Unit 2: Media Law & Ethics 

• Compare and contrast the rights, responsibilities, and role played by a free, independent press in a democratic society to maintain accuracy, balance, fairness, objectivity, and truthfulness
• Analyze how the First Amendment affects the rights and responsibilities of the press
• Describe the impact of key Supreme Court decisions affecting student expression and the student press 
• Identify essential ethical principles supporting the integrity of journalists in their work or signaling misuse of ethics in their work 

Unit 3: Journalistic Writing Processes 

• Gathering information by 

  • researching background information 
  • formulating questions that elicit valuable information 
  • observing and recording details during the interview 
  • effectively concluding the interview 
  • double-checking information before writing the story 
  • keeping dated notes or interview records on file 

• Practice organization and focus 

  • a journalistically sound lead 
  • the most important elements of a news story (e.g., who, what, where, when, why, how) 
  • short, focused sentences and paragraphs 
  • varied word usage and descriptive vocabulary 
  • active voice verbs
  • specific word choice (avoid jargon and vague language)