Beginning Journalism starts off like any other
class in the school. The students sit in their seats and the teacher
stands at the podium and speaks. Everyone looks interested, at least
on the first day of class. Students are instructed to have notebooks,
bring pens, paper to class and to expect homework every night of
the week and on the weekends. I explain that the homework consists
of activities like reading the newspaper, reading magazines, watching
TV or writing a story. Most students seem somewhat apprehensive
about the workload, but in fact, the reputation of the class around
the school and community usually saves me. The word is that "it
is a lot of work, but it is really fun." Getting started wasn't
easy for me because kids are not risk takers when it comes to work
load. If they think a course it going to be hard, then they think
twice before taking it. Back in those days, I used to use candy
to at least twice week in class in connection with some kind of
a writing exercise or journalism game. Now I use it rarely because
I have other ways to motivate them.
By the middle of the semester, students are beginning
to be more independent, willing to ask questions, willing to take
a risk.
Part I
In the beginning of the semester, students start
off learning how to do the following:
read newspapers and magazines
use newspapers and magazines as models for writing
styles
critique newspapers and magazines on a weekly
basis
write one 500-600 word article every week
complete two or more revisions of each article
within a two week period
come up with story ideas
take notes in class, pay attention, ask questions
learn to follow the news locally, nationally,
internationally
learn to differentiate between writing styles
learn to write the following writing styles:
news
features
reviews
opinion
columns
sports
history of the press
laws of the press
Part II
By the second part of the semester students are
expected to add the following to the above list:
learn about desktop publishing design
learn about photography and what makes a good
photo
learn how to use Microsoft Word, PageMaker,
and PhotoShop
learn how to use a scanner and digital camera
learn how to do research on the Internet
learn how to use the internet to send large
files
become an expert in email
learn how to use both PC and Mac computers
become a critical viewer of TV shows
learn to edit each other's work
Part III
On the interpersonal skill and behavior level,
students are expected to do the following:
start to challenge my view points on issues
start to challenge my ideas
be willing to take psychological risk
be able to ask difficult questions
not be afraid to be laughed at
learn to accept and work with a variety of different
people
learn to appreciate ethnic diversity
begin to see that they are in charge of their
own happiness
learn to accept success and failure
learn to work within deadlines
learn to work under pressure
learn to write under pressure
learn to be objective
learn how write a fair review
learn to work both as a team member and as a
leader
learn how to work with peers effectively
learn how to take criticism
learn how to give constructive criticism
The course is organized so that in the beginning,
I am teaching primarily skills in the first section. By the second
quarter, I am teaching Part II materials. Mixed into the both of
these quarters are Part III skills. Early in the semester, the students
know very little about Part III skills, but as the semester continues,
they learn more. In Advanced Journalism, they actually hone these
skills and become expert, but it usually takes about a year.
