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1MC4270: News Production for the Internet Manship School of Mass Communication Louisiana State University Spring 2005 Monday and Wednesday 8:40 to 10:30 • B-11/12 Hodges Hall Professors: Renita Coleman, Ph.D. Office: 206 Hodges Hall Office hours: Tues. 8:30 - 12:30 & by appointment Office phone: (225) 578-2045 E-mail: [email protected] David Kurpius, Ph.D. Office: Hodges Hall B-39 Office hours: Mon./Wed. 10:30-11:30 or by appointment Office phone: (225) 578-1697 E-mail: [email protected] Course Description: This is a course in journalistic Web site development. It focuses on developing skills in Web journalism, and the creation and testing of an online journalistic project. At the beginning of the course, students will work on understanding concepts relevant to online journalism. Later, students will apply these concepts to a live, journalistic Web site. Students will conduct usability tests throughout the semester to make the site more user friendly and to learn about design and content problems and their solutions. In the lab section of the course, students will do background research about the focus topic – the environment. They also will serve as reporters and producers for content on the site. They will use digital still cameras and digital video cameras to capture visual images for their reports. Students will explore how to present news and information online in clear, dynamic and useful ways. In this course, we will all explore how to make the best use of the unique aspects of this new medium; this means figuring out ways to tell stories specifically for the web, not simply producing typical print or broadcast stories and putting them on the Web (also known as “shovelware.”) This class will focus on developing content that makes the connection between journalism and creation of the information diverse citizens need in a participatory democracy. To accomplish this goal, students will be challenged to develop navigation and content that is user friendly. This will require thinking like someone who is interested in the topic area, which will require some fieldwork to figure out what different kinds of people want and need to know. Because this is a capstone course, students will be expected to engage in self-directed learning; that is, they will be responsible for learning on their own and contributing to the learning of others, including the instructors. Because this is a relatively new course focusing on an evolving medium that relies on changing technologies, students should prepare themselves for changes of all kinds, from what we will be doing in class on a particular day to what software/hardware they can use to what readings will be done. Change and uncertainty are characteristics of the new media industry. In addition, the computer lab and much of the equipment and software are new. Students should expect technological problems to occur and should prepare for them by completing work well in advance of deadlines. This is just part of life with technology.2Part of the learning process is development of problem-solving skills. We hope this class will help you develop systems for working around technology issues to meet deadlines. Both professors are available to assist you with solutions. Of course, you are responsible for presenting possible solutions and you should be sure to do everything you can to avoid last minute deadline pressures that might hinder your or our ability to solve the problem effectively. Classrooms: We are in a unique situation this semester in that registration for this course has more than doubled. We have reserved to classrooms next to each other that allow for meeting space and computer lab space. When we meet for large lectures (which will not be all that often), we will have to squeeze in a bit. Hang in there, help us solve this problem and keep a good attitude and we will do the same to make this a good experience. Deadlines: Deadlines are firm, just as in the business. Students who miss deadlines will see significant grade reductions. Without a reasonable explanation for the delay, assignments will earn a zero. The professors will determine what is a reasonable explanation. We make no exceptions for software or hardware problems if you wait until the last minute to complete the assignment. However, we are happy to help if you leave us enough time to assist you. The professors will determine if the student has left sufficient time. Grading: Grading will be based on professional standards in the industry, including spelling, grammar and style. You will be graded primarily on your ability to apply concepts learned in class. Your assignments will be weighted as follows to determine your grade: • News content: 1 story, service piece, go-beyond and visuals 70 percent • User interviews & testing 10 percent • Written assignments & quizzes 10 percent • Participation in class (contributing to learning) 10 percent Grade appeals for any course work must be made in writing within two weeks after the grade is posted in SemesterBook. The appeal must be typed and must include the assignment, due date, date it was turned in, the specific issue that warrants consideration of a grade change and the grade you believe would accurately reflect the work quality you produced on that assignment. A copy of the appeal must be provided to both faculty members. Any appeals turned in late will not be considered. Any appeal of a final grade may be based only on assignment appeals. Absences: Excused absences are those absences recognized by Louisiana State University (illness, serious family emergency, special curricular requirements, court imposed legal obligations, military obligations, serious weather conditions, religious holidays,3university athletic event participation, university musical event participation). Any excused absence requires documentation of the reason for the absence. It is the student’s sole responsibility to provide this documentation. The instructor will determine what is considered adequate documentation. No make-up work will be allowed for unexcused absences, and you will receive a zero for any missed assignments. This policy protects students who play by the rules and helps to ensure professionalism. We will not record class attendance, but we will grade participation in class. Class will begin on time; if you plan to attend, you


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