Course Description: Responsible journalism is the invaluable monitor of society. The mass media
today wield an enormous influence over daily life in this country. While they do
not mould minds in the fashion once suspected, they do provide the information
upon which persons in a democratic society can base their decisions, both in the
polling place and the marketplace. It is essential that this information be as
pure and untainted as human beings can make it. When the press errs, all of
society lives with the mistake. - Ferguson & Patten, 1993, p.
2. During the course of the past few decades, the processing of information
has sped up to the point that events happening around the world are reported and
commented on within minutes of their happening. Newspapers, radio, television,
magazines, photographs, and other information-gathering and distributing
mechanisms present their interpretation to their various audiences. Typically,
these audiences are composed of busy people who demand a concise, objective, and
attractively packaged perspective on all aspects of modern life. The job of
the journalist is challenging. Journalists (print or other media) have to use
their thinking, speaking, and writing to present information in a factual,
straightforward manner, clearly defining the difference between fact and
opinion. Journalism Studies 20 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 behaviour. 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:
- What is being communicated?
- To whom is it communicated?
- 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 practise the writing process, including:
prewriting--collecting and generating ideas and opinions drafting--shaping and exploring the various forms and styles of journalistic
expression revising--critically evaluating, editing, and proofreading
their own and others' work 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.
In this course, the teacher instructs, guides, advises, and facilitates. The
teacher is a coach rather than a technician.
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