Welcome to JOUR 310. Advanced Reporting provides training and practice in gathering and writing news, focusing on feature writing. You must meet admission requirements to enroll in this course. (Please see an advisor if you have questions.) For specific outcomes expected in this class, you should review the individual assignments developed for this particular semester.
Along with multi-media, Web-based material you will produce to accompany your feature stories, we will pay special attention to developing your skills in reporting, developing content, and following style conventions. You will adhere to journalistic style and write short sentences and short paragraphs. You will use appropriate sources and weave quotes throughout your stories, using correct attribution. Your stories will have publishable merit, and your topics will be appropriate for the assigned length. You will use of a variety of leads, along with nut graphs, that draw readers into your stories. You will use of active voice when possible, use simple vocabulary, and have well-organized stories with a clear focus.
While you will work with your instructor and fellow students on editing your stories, you must have a command of basic newswriting skills before entering this class to succeed. If at the beginning of the semester you cannot demonstrate familiarity with correct sentence construction and rules of grammar, you will be encouraged to seek success elsewhere.
REQUIRED TEXTS
The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, Cambridge, MA: Perseus Publishing. (The most recent edition available, online version preferred). You must have an AP Stylebook this semester, as your grade depends on your use of it.
A reporter’s notebook. (There is no one “official” reporter’s notebook, but you will need one for notetaking -- part of your grade does depend on submission of proper notes.)
A blogging site for publishing stories. (We will discuss examples of sites that work in class.)
ATTENDANCE
All excused absences require instructor approval. Without such approval, there is no guarantee that your absence will be excused, and as such, you are subject to receiving a zero (“0”) on an exam, quiz, or assignment. The following situations with proper notice are generally grounds for excused absences.
Medical: We want healthy students and healthy classrooms, but medical excuses require official documentation from your physician in advance when possible.
Military: We thank you for your dutiful service, and expect your military superiors to provide you with necessary paperwork so we can make appropriate adjustments. We appreciate your consideration in letting us know in advance of a pending absence.
Family: Sometimes life is more important than a single grade. Such situations generally come with ways to verify the authenticity of an absence without impinging on a family’s privacy.
Athletic and Extracurricular Events: Students shall have the opportunity to make up any graded assignments, quizzes, or exams missed due to university-sponsored events with official written notification provided no less than one week in advance.
Religious Holidays Policy: Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the end of the first two weeks of classes of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays, which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess.
Note: Simply leaving a phone message or sending an email does not constitute prior contact. Your absence will not be excused without prior confirmation from the instructor. In almost all cases, work-related scheduling conflicts are NOT excused.
Missed Classwork: Any student missing class, quizzes, examinations, or any other class or laboratory work because of observance of religious holidays will be given an opportunity during that semester to make up the missed work. The make-up opportunity will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor within the first 14 calendar days of the course for Fall and Spring courses (except for modular courses), or within the first 7 calendar days of the course for Summer and modular courses, of their intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. For additional information, please visit the Policy for Missed Work, under Registration Policies, on the Academic Policies webpage.
In accordance with the policy approved by the Faculty Senate regarding missed class time and assignments, students who represent UNLV in any official extracurricular activity will also have the opportunity to make up assignments, provided that the student provides official written notification to the instructor no less than one week prior to the missed class(es). The spirit and intent of the policy for missed classwork is to offer fair and equitable assessment opportunities to all students, including those representing the University in extracurricular activities. Instructors should consider, for example, that in courses which offer a “Drop one” option for the lowest assignment, quiz, or exam, assigning the student a grade of zero for an excused absence for extracurricular activity is both contrary to the intent of the Faculty Senate’s policy, and an infringement on the student’s right to complete all work for the course. This policy will not apply in the event that completing the assignment or administering the examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the University that could reasonably have been avoided.
There should be a good faith effort by both the instructor and the student to agree to a reasonable resolution. When disagreements regarding this policy arise, decisions can be appealed to the Department Chair/Unit Director, College/School Dean, and/or the Faculty Senate Academic Standards Committee. For purposes of definition, extracurricular activities may include, but are not limited to: fine arts activities, competitive intercollegiate athletics, science and engineering competitions, liberal arts competitions, academic recruitment activities, and any other event or activity sanctioned by a College/School Dean, and/or by the Executive Vice President and Provost.
GRADES
To succeed in this class, you must already have proficiency with basic spelling, grammar, and punctuation. I will teach particular reporting techniques and journalistic writing styles, but you are expected at the very least to have a strong command of English before taking this course.
Please see the schedule below for additional information and due dates associated with graded items this semester. Your final grade will consist of the following point opportunities:
- Two (2) AP quizzes, 5 pts ea = 10 pts
- Interview materials for two stories = 25 pts
- First drafts of your two stories = 15 pts
- Final drafts of your two stories, 10 pts ea = 20 pts
- Tweets & email (TBA) = 5 pts
- In-class presentation = 5 pts
- Your web materials = 20 pts
I will post additional information for each of the items listed above at appropriate times throughout the semester.
A major component of your final grade depends on the content of two stories that you will self-publish online. While each of your stories will be evaluated primarily in regards to this content, as well as how well you have followed instructions, you may also lose points for the following mechanical mistakes:
Fact Errors: Your letter grade drops (i.e. from an “B” to a “C”). If you have multiple fact errors, I will ask you to revise and resubmit with at least a letter grade deduction.
AP Errors: -1 point for each incorrect item noted from quizzes.
Proofing: -1 point for each spelling error, including typos.
If your draft is sloppy, it contains major errors, or it is incomplete, you will need to revise and resubmit it before receiving a grade.
Assignments submitted after deadline (see the schedule below) will lose a letter grade.
Extra Credit: While you must self-publish class-related stories on the web this semester, I will also award Extra Credit if you publish one or more of your stories from class in an outside newspaper or on an online news site. You will need to check with me for approval on the site before you publish for Extra Credit, as we need more than non-edited blogs for points on this. Your final grade will go up by one half of a letter at the end of the semester (i. e., from a “B+” to an “A”) for one or more publication. (Only one half letter increase will be awarded, but you are welcome to publish both stories.)
Final Examinations: The University requires that final exams given at the end of a course occur on the date and at the time specified in the Final Exam schedule. The general schedule is typically available at the start of the semester, and the classroom locations are available approximately one month before the end of the semester. See the Final Exam Schedule.
Incomplete Grades: The grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be granted when a student has satisfactorily completed three-fourths of course work for that semester/session, but cannot complete the last part of the course for reason(s) beyond the student’s control and acceptable to the instructor, and the instructor believes that the student can finish the course without repeating it. For undergraduate courses, the incomplete work must be made up before the end of the following regular semester. Graduate students receiving “I” grades in 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses have up to one calendar year to complete the work, at the discretion of the instructor. If course requirements are not completed within the period indicated, a grade of “F” will be recorded, and the student’s GPA will be adjusted accordingly. Students who are fulfilling an Incomplete grade do not register for the course, but make individual arrangements with the instructor who assigned the “I” grade.
Auditing Classes: Auditing a course allows a student to continue attending the lectures and/or laboratories and discussion sessions associated with the course, but the student will not earn a grade for any component of the course. Students who audit a course receive the same educational experience as students taking the course for a grade, but will be excused from exams, assessments, and other evaluative measures that serve the primary purpose of assigning a grade.
POLICIES
Classroom Conduct: Students have a responsibility to conduct themselves in class and in the libraries in ways that do not interfere with the rights of other students to learn or of instructors to teach. Use of electronic devices such as pagers, cellular phones, or recording devices, or potentially disruptive devices or activities, are only permitted with the prior explicit consent of the instructor. The instructor may rescind permission at any time during the class. If a student does not comply with established requirements or obstructs the functioning of the class, the instructor may initiate an administrative drop of the student from the course.
Classroom Policies: University protocol provides instructors the discretion and prerogative to determine what is and is not acceptable classroom behavior (i.e., late arrival, wearing hats, and cell phone use). Classroom occupants are at the discretion of the instructor (per UNLV General Counsel). University policy considers bringing children to class a potential violation of the Student Conduct Code, Sections III.K. and L. relating to “disrupting” the classroom and/or university operations.
Computer Expectations: You will be expected to use a Mac computer in the writing lab, as well as Word, to write, save, and print. Some assignments may require you to bring a draft of work to class. For these assignments, you should bring a hard copy of your draft. You should also email yourself a draft of the assignment or bring a document saved on a USB drive for backup.
Rebelmail: Rebelmail is UNLV’s official email system for students, and by University policy, instructors, and staff should only send emails to students’ Rebelmail accounts. Rebelmail is one of the primary ways students receive official University communications, information about deadlines, major Campus events, and announcements. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after they have been admitted to the University. Emailing within WebCampus is also acceptable.
Use professional practices when sending emails: Use proper English, including correct capitalization, grammar, and spelling; identify your name in your email; include a header in the subject line; check your email daily. Allow at least a 48-hour response time for an email message, and remember, I may not return your messages on weekends or university holidays.
Identity Verification in Online Courses: All UNLV students must use their Campus-issued ACE ID and password to log in to WebCampus. UNLV students enrolled in online or hybrid courses are expected to read and adhere to the Student Academic Misconduct Policy, which defines, “acting or attempting to act as a substitute for another, or using or attempting to use a substitute, in any academic evaluation or assignment” as a form of academic misconduct. Intentionally sharing ACE login credentials with another person may be considered an attempt to use a substitute and could result in investigation and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Academic Misconduct Policy. UNLV students enrolled in online courses are also expected to read and adhere to the Acceptable Use of Computing and Information Technology Resources Policy, which prohibits sharing university accounts with other persons without authorization. To the greatest extent possible, all graded assignments and assessments in UNLV online courses should be hosted in WebCampus or another UNLV-managed platform that requires ACE login credentials for access.
Academic Misconduct: Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the Campus community; we all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility, and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Student Academic Misconduct Policy, and are encouraged to take the ethical path whenever faced with choices. Students enrolling at UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s educational mission. An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of another person, from the Internet or any other source without proper citation of the sources. See the Student Conduct Code.
Nevada Revised Statutes 207.320:
Any person who prepares for sale or sells any term paper, thesis, dissertation, or similar writing intending such writing to be submitted to an academic institution as the work of any person not the author in fulfillment of a requirement for completion of a course of study, award of a degree or other academic credit is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Copyright: The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves with, and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The University will neither protect nor defend you, nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary action under University policies.
RESOURCES
Office Hours: I will be available during regular office hours or by appointment. Office hours are a way for you to get more personalized attention to address specific problems, go over past assignments to see how to improve them, and discuss any other issues of concern. An instructor generally will NOT discuss individual grades in class, so if you have a question about a specific grading issue on an assignment, please bring it to my attention within two weeks of the assignment deadline.
Disability Resource Center (DRC): The UNLV Disability Resource Center (SSC-A, Room 143, 702-895-0866) provides resources for students with disabilities. Students who believe that they may need academic accommodations due to injury, disability, or due to pregnancy should contact the DRC as early as possible in the academic term. A Disabilities Specialist will discuss what options may be available to you. If you are registered with the UNLV Disability Resource Center, bring your Academic Accommodation Plan from the DRC to the instructor during office hours, so that you may work together to develop strategies for implementing the accommodations to meet both your needs and the requirements of the course. Any information you provide is private and will be treated as such. To maintain the confidentiality of your request, please do not approach the instructor in front of others to discuss your accommodation needs.
Library Resources: Librarians are available to consult with students on research needs, including developing research topics, finding information, and evaluating sources. To make an appointment with a subject expert for this class, please visit the Libraries’ Research Consultation website. You can also ask the library staff questions via chat and text message at <ask.library.unlv.edu>.
Tutoring and Coaching: The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides tutoring, academic success coaching, and other academic assistance for all UNLV undergraduate students. For information regarding tutoring subjects, tutoring times, and other ASC programs and services, please visit the ASC website, or call 702-895-3177. The ASC building is located across from the Student Services Complex (SSC). Academic success coaching is located on the second floor of SSC A, Room 254. Drop-in tutoring is located on the second floor of the Lied Library, and on the second floor of the College of Engineering building (TBE A 207).
UNLV Writing Center: One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students at the Writing Center, located in the Central Desert Complex, Building 3, Room 301 (CDC 3–301). Walk-in consultations are sometimes available, but students with appointments receive priority assistance. Students may make appointments in person or by calling the Center, 702-895-3908. Students are requested to bring to their appointments their Rebel ID Card, a copy of the instructions for their assignment, and two copies of any writing they have completed on their assignment.
SCHEDULE
WEEK 1: 1/21 to 1/23
Class Intros
WEEK 2: 1/27 to 1/30
Leads and Structure
Preview Instructions for semester; AP Quizzes: Study Guides distributed. Homework: Make sure you review the assignments for the semester. We will recap the instructions for the Profile, Feature, Event, and Web in the coming weeks.
WEEK 3: 2/3 to 2/6
Interviews, pt. 1 & 2
WEEK 4: 2/10 to 2/13
AP Quiz #1, A-N (5 pts)
AP Quiz #2, P-XYZ, etc. (5 pts)
WEEK 5: 2/17 to 2/20
Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 17: Class does NOT meet
Review Quizzes; Discussion on stories, progress
WEEK 6: 2/24 to 2/27
Interview materials due (25 pts)
Blog checks: Have an active blog site for posting your stories
WEEK 7: 3/2 to 3/5
First Drafts due (15 points)
WEEK 8: 3/9 to 3/12
First drafts returned and discussed
SPRING BREAK: Class does NOT meet 3/16-19
WEEK 9: 3/23 to 3/26
Second (final) drafts of two stories due (20 pts)
WEEK 10: 3/30 to 4/2
Final drafts of two stories returned, discussed
WEEK 11: 4/6 to 4/9
Review Instructions for Web materials
Revise your material online
WEEK 12: 4/13 to 4/16
Presentations, schedule to be determined (5 pts)
WEEK 13: 4/20 to 4/23
Presentations, pt. 2, schedule to be determined
WEEK 14: 4/27 to 4/30
Social Media (5 pts)
STUDY WEEK: 5/4 to 5/7
Revise and finalize your projects
FINAL PROJECTS DUE
See instructions, deadline TBA (20 pts)