Elizabethtown College
Department of Communications
Com _3+_ - Introduction to Civic Journalism
(Pre-requisite:
Com 311)
Sample Course Syllabus
4 credits
Dr. Tamara L. Gillis
Dr. Robert C. Moore
208 Steinman Center (12__)
email: ________________
office hours: ________________
Textbook: Charity, A. (1995). Doing public journalism. New York: Guilford Press.
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Department and college
periodicals available in the library and department resource room (S207).
See
attached list.
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Interlibrary loan of
books and periodicals.
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Computer searches of a
variety of databases—See reference librarian.
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Civic Journalism
Bibliographies
APA Style is the only acceptable standard for citing references and quotations/sources. Use the following book: Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (3rd ed.). (1983). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Course Description:
The Civic Journalism course
is an advanced news reporting and writing course exploring the important
connection between communities and their print and broadcast media. Students will better understand the
mediaÕs role in a democracy empowering people to engage in public life.
Objectives:
á Students will be able to apply the basic concepts of
news reporting and writing to practices in civic journalism.
á The course will require students to apply their
understanding of the key elements of civic journalism. These include: public listening
techniques, advocacy vs. objectivity, framing, citizen involvement, problem
solving, and coordination of media efforts.
á Through cooperative learning projects, student will
use a model of civic journalism to develop a project for the community.
It is expected that all
students attend every class and be on time. Absences severely handicap the learning process because you
are unable to acquire knowledge through firsthand discussions and
demonstrations. Being late for
class interrupts the momentum of the class and distracts other students.
A STUDENT MAY MISS TWO CLASS
SESSIONS WITHOUT PENALTY. HOWEVER,
ON EACH SUCCESSIVE ABSENCE, A GRADE REDUCTION WILL BE MADE FROM THE COURSE
FINAL GRADE.
Work or tests missed as a result of an absence
will only be made up by PRIOR arrangements with the instructor. Unless allowed to be made up, a grade
of 0 will be given.
Absences beyond two will be
permitted for students participating in intercollegiate athletics. Tests/Quizzes are to be taken in
advance of the absence. No
extension will be given for work due.
It is possible that on certain days (or regarding certain projects) an
absence may not be acceptable.
Excessive absences for athletics may cause the instructor to not permit
further absences. In any case,
once two absences have occurred, the only permissible absence, without penalty,
is for athletics.
1.
ALL WORK MUST BE NEATLY
TYPED. Incorrect spelling,
grammar, typographical error
and
written-in corrections will detract from the grade. You may not correct typos by scratching
out
the error or writing in the corrections.
2. ALL WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED ON TIME
(defined as the beginning of the class period on the day due.) Late submission without the prior
knowledge and consent of the instructor will not be permitted and the
project will earn a grade of 0.
3.
All oral presentations
cited are to be formal presentations demonstrating excellent oral skills,
presentation skills, and accompanying professional visuals and other
materials. No manuscripts are
permitted for these presentations, only note cards.
Civic
Journalism Model Exercises
1. Public
Listening
Develop a public listening project to determine the needs of your
community and a topic suitable for development using the civic journalism model.
2. Review
of the Layers of Civic Life
Develop a process by which civic journalists may capture opinions
of the five layers of civic life described by The Harwood Group. Coordinate
this project with an additional public listening activity.
3. News
Coverage Planning
Develop a plan for including the voices of the community in a time
delimited civic journalism news campaign for the community news media.
Consider/plan partnership activities with other media. Develop promotional
concepts to support your news campaign.
4. Feedback
and Evaluation
Develop a mechanism for gathering public opinion and continuing
developments on your topic or issue of concern. How can you determine the value
of the news campaign to the community? Should additional news coverage be
planned or will the civic journalism project be a special feature or an ongoing
element of the media practices?
Final Civic
Journalism Project
The final
project for the course will include an individually designed civic journalism
project. This project will include the following components and will be
completed in the community and will be suitable for publication/broadcast. The
components of the final project include:
a) project plan
- overview
b) public
listening
c) review of
layers of civic life
d) plan for news
coverage (coordinating among media) and production
e) evaluation
mechanism and futurecasting
A presentation
will be made to the class to exhibit each project.
Resource
Reviews
Each student
will be assigned a resource (journal articles, periodicals, a special edition text) to evaluate.
Students will prepare a formal analysis paper supporting their review of the
resource. Students will also make a presentation to the class in an informal
resource sharing session from this paper
Case
Analysis/Case Studies
A number of news media across the country
have been experimenting with the civic journalism model since the mid-1980s.
Some communities continue to use the civic journalism model. Others use the
model for specialized coverage. Through case study analysis, each student will
analyze and present one case to the class for discussion. Research for these
cases may include published materials, commentary from scholars, personal
observation, and personal contact with current media professionals.
Civic Journalism Model Exercise 5% each 20%
Midterm
Exam 10%
Resource
Review 10%
Case
Analysis 10%
Final
Project 50%
Graded work will be awarded
(+) and (-) letter grades each corresponding to a fixed numerical value on a
scale of 10.
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9.0 A |
9.3 A+ |
8.7 A- |
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8.0 B |
8.3 B+ |
7.7 B- |
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7.0 C |
7.3 C+ |
6.7 C- |
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6.0 D |
6.3 D+ |
5.7 D- |
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Day Week Class |
Content/Discussion |
Some Assignment Deadlines Readings |
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1 |
Introduction and Overview - history of Civic
Journalism - national/international components |
Ch. 1 Charity |
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2 |
Public Listening - overview of civic
journalism - overview of terminology - discussion of public
listening |
Ch. 2 Charity Public Listening Exercise |
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3 |
News Coverage - Framing the news - Citizen Involvement |
Ch. 3 Charity Layers of Civic Life
Exercise |
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4 |
Public Judgment - public dialog - deliberation of issues |
Ch. 4 Charity News Coverage Exercise |
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5 |
Empowering the Public - Media roles - media as facilitator vs. media as watchdog |
Ch. 5 Charity Feedback and Evaluation
Exercise |
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6 |
Media Partnerships - intramedia partnerships - intermedia partnerships - public partnerships |
Ch. 6 Charity Resource Reviews |
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Spring/Fall Break |
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7 |
Midterm Examination |
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8 |
Review of ÒWe the PeopleÓ Project Overview Stage 1: Project Planning |
Case Analysis Reports |
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9 |
Stage 2: Getting Started |
Ò
Ò Ò |
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10 |
Stage 3: Implementing
Tools and Techniques |
Ò
Ò Ò |
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11 |
Stage 4: Moving the Needle
– Getting the Public Involved – Action Stage 5: Planning
Evaluation |
Ò
Ò Ò |
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12 |
Production and
Consultation |
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13 |
Production and
Consultation |
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14 |
Production and
Consultation |
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15 |
Seminar style final
examination Stage 5: Evaluation |
Presentations |
The instructor reserves the
right to alter course content or adjust pace of assignment to accommodate class
progress.