TEXT
Pamela J. Shoemaker and Akiba A. Cohen. News Around the World.
THE DESIGN
In the past, this course has first dealt with a number of broad issues in journalism and then narrowed in on one specific issue for the final six weeks or so. This time around, the course will focus on one specific issue for the entire semester: the coverage of news in foreign countries. The course will center heavily on the text, "News Around the World." We'll use the text to familiarize outselves with news coverage in nine foreign countries and our own country. Each student will also do an informal replication of the book's research by analyzing news content in one of the 10 countries.
CONDUCT OF COURSE
I'd like to conduct this course jointly with you. What I mean by that is I'd like you collectively to talk at least as much as I talk individually. How can we accomplish that goal in light of many students' tendency to sit back, daydream, and let the teacher drone? Here are a couple of tactics:
Show and Tell
At the beginning of each class I'll ask whether anyone has something to show and tell that is related to a journalistic issue. It can be something you've read, heard, or experienced. (Your show piece may be related to any issue as well as to coverage of the news abroad.)
REWARD: one-half point added to your grade on the next test.
Reading Response
Each of you will be assigned to respond to a piece of a reading assignment. You should summarize the main points made in the reading and tell your classmates a bit more about the point you consider most interesting.
REWARD: You will receive one extra point on your next test for doing the response adequately, three extra points for a good job, and five extra points for an outstanding performance.
NOTE-TAKING INCENTIVE
Taking good notes is an essential skill for reporters. Journalists spend much of their time on the job taking notes. To encourage you to take good and ample notes, I'm offering an opportunity for extra credit. It will work this way: Shortly before the midterm I'll look at the notes taken by students seeking the extra credit. Students who've taken what I consider satisfactory notes will get three points added to their grade on the first exam. Good notes will get four points; outstanding notes will get five points. We'll repeat the procedure shortly before the final.
POLICIES
Attendance: Our class discussions and your class presentations, individually and in groups (if we decide on group work), will be integral parts of the course. Consequently, regular class attendance will be important. You'll be penalized if you miss more than three classes.
GRADES
We'll have weekly quizzes on the assigned reading, a short response paper, a midterm, a final, and a final project that will include an oral presentation and a written report. Here is roughly how your grade will be determined:
Quizzes - 20%
Response paper -- 10%
Midterm -- 20%
Final -- 20%
Final project -- 30%