Credits: 1

Journalism Studies is concerned with the role of journalism in a democracy and with helping students grow in their language skills--particularly writing. The course will help students learn to gather, write, edit, publish, and produce news and other information for print and electronic media. In this course, students will also become knowledgeable about journalism and learn to organize their time, meet deadlines, think objectively, develop original styles, and gain experience in communicating clearly and effectively.

Secondary Level journalism experiences can help students write, speak, and represent more precisely, more clearly, and more persuasively. Students can become better listeners, readers, viewers, and thinkers, as well as consumers of oral, print, and other media texts. A course in journalism allows students opportunities to communicate important information to others. It encourages them to use creativity and imagination while demanding discipline, responsibility, and ethical behavior.

Several principles underlie this course:

This course places language and, in particular, journalism in the context of communication. Throughout each module, students are encouraged to apply the "5W+H" questioning process to each communication situation:

  • Who is communicating?
  • What is being communicated?
  • To whom is it communicated?
  • What medium is used?
  • What is the purpose of the communication? To inform and instruct? To persuade? To entertain?
  • How effective is the communication?

This course places an emphasis on writing in a range of formats, for a variety of purposes and audiences. Regardless of the medium, students will have an opportunity to practice the writing process, including:

  1. prewriting--collecting and generating ideas and opinions
  2. drafting--shaping and exploring the various forms and styles of journalistic expression
  3. revising--critically evaluating, editing, and proofreading their own and others' work
  4. publishing or producing--finding a forum for their polished works.
     

In this course, students also learn how the particular mode of publication affects the presentation of an event or issue. A particular issue or story may be written in a variety of ways, depending on whether its publication or production will be in a print medium or in an electronic broadcast medium. Students should also understand the relationships between various types of media and the effects of technological innovations upon the traditional styles of presentation.

Throughout this course, students will have opportunity to explore the principles governing the publication or production of each medium. They should understand the social, ethical, and legal obligations of a journalist, including:

  • the duty of journalists to serve the truth
  • the public's right to know of events of public importance and interest
  • the foundations of journalism--truth, accuracy, and objectivity
  • the legal obligations and restraints on the press
  • the ethical considerations of journalism.

This course is activity-based. Students learn by doing. Language learning thrives when students are engaged in meaningful use of language. Students should be given many opportunities to experiment and explore the various media used by journalists and the issues associated with these media. Students should be invited and encouraged to become involved in analysis, inquiry, and hands-on activities related to journalism.