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North Carolina Central University –Fall 2018

MSCM 2440-03W – Reporting & Writing for the Mass Media

CRN 12121 MWF - 10-10:50 a.m.
Danny Hooley Office: 343 Farrison-Newton Communications
Building
Office Hours: Campus Echo E-mail: campusecho@nccu.edu
 M, W, F, 11 a.m. – noon; 2-4 p.m. and website: www.campusecho.com
 Tuesdays and Thursdays: 1-3 p.m.
 Or by request, Rm. 343

E-mail: dhooley1@nccu.edu
Blackboard: https://nccu.blackboard.com dannyhooley.nc@gmail.com

Catalog Course Description

A study of the techniques and tools for gathering and reporting the news, and an introduction to
newswriting with emphasis on the organization and development of news stories.

Introduction: Course Format

Welcome to Reporting and Writing. This course will introduce you to journalistic approaches to
writing stories about breaking news events of interest to your community. We will cover the
variety of ways reporters collect information and transform their reporting into meaningful news
stories. Students will learn basic news gathering, news writing, and news editing skills through
an active, collaborative peer teaching approach. Successfully reported and written stories will be
submitted to the NCCU Campus Echo. Students will generate story ideas, report, write and edit.
In short, the course proposes the goal of teaching the first steps toward becoming a reporter and
journalist in print or broadcast journalism. We are committed to developing a professional,
democratic, committed, critical and compassionate approach to the journalist’s job of informing
society.

Required Text: Tim Harrower. Inside Reporting: A Practical Guide to the Craft of Journalism.
Fourth Edition, McGraw Hill. Textbook Website: http://www.mhhe.com/harrower3e

The Associated Press Stylebook, 2018

Readings: Students will be required to read news every day, and to come to class prepared to
talk about the day’s events, and how they were covered. This counts toward your participation
grade, which is five percent. I will also give you reading assignments that are not included in the
text book.
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Student Learning Outcomes

After reading the text, and viewing and discussing examples in class, students will be able
to…

1. identify what constitutes “news” and consider the ethical implications of deciding this.
2. understand the variety of reporters’ professional practices in contemporary print media.
3. explain the social role of the journalist in contemporary U.S. society.
4. describe the moral dimension of the journalist’s activities.
5. access information from a variety of online sources and evaluate their usefulness as background
information for news stories.
6. generate story ideas representing established news values and that are appropriate for publication in the
Campus Echo.

After in-class instruction and reading assignments, and practice reporting and writing
news stories, students will improve skills relating to…

7. reporting principles (collecting information, interviewing, covering events and beats).

8. the mechanics of writing news stories (grammar, style, leads, story type, story organization).
9. planning and creating story structure.
10. writing various story forms: briefs, spot news, profiles, features, etc.
11. differentiating between well-written and poorly-written news stories and critiquing aspects of these
stories.

Upon completing the course, students will internalize the positive attitudes necessary to…

12. confidently and professionally enter the world of journalism (or any career requiring research and
writing).
13. defend your responsibility as a reporter for promoting social and economic justice and for enabling
the functioning of the democratic process.
14. embody a sense that your future work as a journalist or in another related career can contribute to the
critical thinking abilities required by citizens to be productive and responsible community builders.

Description of Course Work

The course will mix instructor lecture, student reading, in-class exercises, quizzes guest speakers,
videos, and real world reporting and writing.

All assignments for the week will be posted on Blackboard on the Announcements page for this
class.

News stories: You will write four 400-450-word news stories with original reporting, as well as
a handful of brief writing exercises. Well-written stories will be published in the online and/or
print versions of the Campus Echo. Your news stories will need to be uploaded in your
Blackboard story assignments as Word documents. Stories are due in Blackboard at the time
indicated in the assignment, and no later. Note that this is a significant part of your grade. You
can’t pass the class if you do not hand in news stories. Sorry, but it’s just mathematically
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impossible to get even a C in the class that way, which means you’ll have to take the class again.
Ouch.

Policy regarding Late Stories

Stories received by 5 p.m. the day after the due date will be accepted, but with a 5-point
deduction. Those received later than that will receive a full grade markdown. The FINAL,
absolute deadline is two days later by class time. I will not read or grade news stories that are
submitted on Blackboard after this time. All stories must be uploaded to Blackboard on an
editable document. No exceptions. If you’re having trouble using Blackboard, it is your
responsibility to visit the Blackboard office The Blackboard Team consists of Ms. Sharon Alston
(salston@nccu.edu ; 530-6686) and Ms. LaToya Parker (lmparker@nccu.edu; 530-7496). They
are located on the first floor of the Farrison-Newton Communications Building in the Faculty
Den.

Revisions

On a more positive note, you will have the opportunity to revise each of your major writing
assignments after your first draft has been graded. This simulates the real-life relationship
between an editor (me) and a reporter (you), and gives you a chance at a higher grade.

Quizzes: We will also have regular quizzes over the readings, or brief writing assignments. You
will take some of the quizzes through Blackboard, and some will be administered in class. I will
drop your lowest three quiz grades. That does not include missed assignments.

Midterm: There well be a midterm in the class before Spring Break.

Final Exam: This will be based on all the quizzes you took, and will include at least one brief
in-class writing assignment.

Scoring of work

400-450-word news stories = 45 percent

Quizzes = 10 percent
Brief writing assignments = 15 percent
Midterm – 10 percent
Final exam = 10 percent
Class participation = 10 percent

Classroom Policies

1. Attendance: It’s in your best interest to show up consistently to class. Experience shows me that
students that skip classes tend to struggle more with writing news stories and fully grasping the
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concepts in the text book. Plus, attendance is part of your participation score, which counts for five
percent of your grade.

2. Lateness: Lateness is unprofessional, disruptive, and unacceptable. Please be in class on time. I

will count you absent if you are not in class by the time I call the roll.

3. Leaving early: Leaving class early with no explanation is rude and disruptive. Please don’t.

4. Eating and drinking: There is NO eating and drinking permitted in the computer lab. (Bottled
water is OK, I guess, if you’re careful). Any food/drink should be consumed and thrown away before
the beginning of class outside in the hall.

5. Electronic devices are a big part of our lives, but research has shown that people are not
successful at multi-tasking the way they think they are. If you are texting, checking FB or Twitter, or
doing other things on your phone, you will miss out on information that you need which will mean
that you will not do as well on your assignments. Cell phones are a distraction, and I want your
attention and focus during class. If I have to ask you twice to put your phone away, I’ll count you
absent.

6. Classroom computers are to be used ONLY for activities related to our class and only during the
time designated for in-class writing. Please do not view your monitor during a classmate’s
presentation or when I am presenting information, unless I ask you to perform quick research during
a presentation or exercise.

7. There are no make-ups for missed quizzes. You will receive a zero for that quiz unless you have
communicated with me beforehand about a legitimate problem. Any exceptions to this must meet
criteria #9 (below).

9. If you have a serious and verifiable problem that will impact your ability to meet the above
expectations, you must notify me in advance.

10. Know the syllabus. It’s our guide. You are responsible for the reading, quizzes, and presentation
dates on the syllabus and its supplements. It is not my responsibility to remind you about the contents
of the syllabus. I reserve the right to modify the syllabus with a notification to the class. All
assignments will be announced in Blackboard and emails as reminders, after I have mentioned
them in class, so check often.

11. Please leave the classroom clean and tidy. Put chairs in their place. Please don’t leave trash
behind.

12. Bring a respectful, professional approach to class each day.

13. Always, always, always back up your articles.

Academic Honesty Statement

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The repercussions for plagiarism and cheating are severe both in real life (journalists lose their
careers and reputations for copying other’s work) and in academics. Please do not do this to
yourself. Depending on the degree and nature of any plagiarism and cheating the consequences
can range from a zero for the assignment to a grade of F for the course. Instances of plagiarism
and cheating in this class include turning in someone else’s work as though it were your own,
turning in the same assignment for two different courses, fabricating quotes or other information
gathered from interviews, taking any part of previously written news story or other document
without attributing the source of the original material, or submitting part or all of a news story
that you submitted for a previous semester. All work submitted for this class must be original,
current and completely your own. Below you will find the official university policy on this.

University Policy on Academic Dishonesty

“North Carolina Central University is dedicated to instilling in its students the highest principles
of integrity and responsibility. In this regard, students are expected to demonstrate respect for
these principles in the performance of their academic activities. Academic dishonesty, which is a
violation of academic integrity, will be dealt with according to the provisions of the Student
Code of Academic Conduct.” (Definitions of and penalties for academic dishonesty are described
on page 86-87 of the University Catalogue.)

Student Disability Services

Students with disabilities (physical, learning, psychological, chronic medical, etc.) who would
like to request accommodations and services are required to register with the Office of Student
Disability Services (SDS) in Suite 120 in the Student Services Building. Please contact the SDS
Staff at (919) 530-6325 or email sds@nccu.edu. If you are NEW to SDS, please contact the
office for an appointment. If you had accommodations previously, you can resubmit a request by
visiting our website at www.nccu.edu/sds and clicking on the Accommodate Link. Students are
expected to update their accommodations each semester, preferably during the first 2 weeks of
each semester.

Student Support/Ombudsperson

The Student Ombudsperson is available to assist students in navigating unexpected life events,
(e.g. short-term illness/injury, loss of a loved one, personal crises) and guide them to the
appropriate University or community resources. Students may also receive assistance with
resolving some emergency financial concerns, understanding NCCU policies or general problem-
solving strategies. Schedule an appointment by contacting the Student Ombudsperson in the
Office of the Dean of Students, G-06 Student Services Building, at (919) 530-7492 or
bsimmons@nccu.edu.

Statement of Inclusion/Non-Discrimination North Carolina Central University is

committed to the principles of affirmative action and non-discrimination
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The University welcomes diversity in its student body, its staff, its faculty, and its administration.
The University admits, hires, evaluates, promotes, and rewards on the basis of the needs and
relevant performance criteria without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran's
status, or religion.

It actively promotes diversity and respectfulness of each individual. Student Disability Services
Students with disabilities (physical, learning, psychological, chronic or temporary medical
conditions, etc.) who would like to request reasonable accommodations and services under the
Americans with Disabilities Act must register with the Office of Student Disability Services
(SDS) in Suite 120 in the Student Services Building.

Students who are new to SDS or who are requesting new accommodations should contact SDS at
(919) 530- 6325 or sds@nccu.edu to discuss the programs and services offered by SDS. Students
who are already registered with SDS and who would like to maintain their accommodations must
renew previously granted accommodations by visiting the SDS website at www.nccu.edu/sds and
logging into Eagle Accommodate.
Students are expected to renew previously granted accommodations at the beginning of each
semester, preferably during the first two (2) weeks of class.
Reasonable accommodations can be requested at any time throughout the semester; however,
they will not be effective retroactively. Students are strongly encouraged to contact their
professors to discuss the testing and academic accommodations that they anticipate needing for
each class.

Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting

All forms of discrimination based on sex, including sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating
violence, domestic violence, and stalking offenses, are prohibited under NCCU’s Sexual
Misconduct Policy (POL 01.07.1).
NCCU faculty and instructors are considered to be responsible employees and are required to
report information regarding sexual misconduct to the University’s Title IX Coordinator. The
Sexual Misconduct Policy can be accessed through NCCU’s Policies, Rules and Regulations
website at www.nccu.edu/policies/retrieve.cfm?id=450.
Any individual may report a violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy (including a third-party
or anonymous report) by contacting the Title IX Coordinator at (919) 530-6334 or
TitleIX@nccu.edu, or submitting the online form through
http://www.nccu.edu/administration/dhr/titleix/index.cfm.

Other Campus Programs, Services, Activities, and Resources

Other campus resources to support NCCU students include:

 Student Advocacy Coordinator. The Student Advocacy Coordinator is available to assist
students in navigating unexpected life events (e.g. short-term illness/injury, loss of a
loved one, personal crises) and guide them to the appropriate University or community
resources. Students may also receive assistance with resolving some emergency financial
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concerns; understanding NCCU policies, rules and regulations; receiving

accommodations and supports due to pregnancy; or general problem-solving strategies.
Contact Information: Student Services Building, Suite 236, (919) 530-7492,
studentadvocacy@nccu.edu.

 Counseling Center. The NCCU Counseling Center is staffed by licensed psychologists

and mental health professionals who provide individual and group counseling, crisis
intervention, substance abuse prevention and intervention, anger management, and other
services. The Counseling Center also provides confidential resources for students
reporting a violation of NCCU’s Sexual Misconduct Policy. Contact Information: Student
Health Building, 2nd Floor, (919) 530-7646, counseling@nccu.edu.

 University Police Department. The University Police Department ensures that students,
faculty and staff have a safe and secure environment in which they can live, learn, and
work. The Department provides a full range of police services, including investigating all
crimes committed in and around its jurisdiction, making arrests, providing crime
prevention/community programs, enforcing parking regulations and traffic laws, and
maintaining crowd control for campus special events. Contact Information: 2010
Fayetteville Street, (919) 530-6106, nccupdinfo@nccu.edu.