Journalism 620 – Fall 2006 Prof. Carl Sessions Stepp

Seminar in Public Affairs Reporting 4121 Journalism Bldg.

cstepp@jmail.umd.edu Phone: 301-405-2428

Office hours: TTh 10-11, 1-2; W 10-11:30; also by appointment or drop-in

Description: Journalism 620 is a graduate-level, advanced-reporting seminar that involves studying and practicing public affairs journalism. It presupposes the ability to write standard news copy in proper form. Prerequisite: Journalism 320, 501, 502 or equivalent.

Textbooks: America’s Best Newspaper Writing , 2^nd edition, by Clark and Scanlan

The Elements of Journalism by Kovach and Rosenstiel

The Press by Overholser and Jamieson

Format: Most classes will have two parts: a discussion led by the instructor and presentations led by students.

Requirements:

(1) To pass this course, you must publish at least two articles in an acceptable periodical, on or off campus.

(2) You will write two news articles of about 500 words and two news-features of 800-1,000 words. Do not submit stories you are using for another course.

(3) You will be assigned at least one presentation and annotated bibliography related to class topics.

(4) You will write a final paper.

(5) There will be an examination.

Deadlines:

9/06 -- News article covering an event

9/20 -- News article covering an issue

10/18 -- First news-feature

11/08 -- Second news-feature

11/29 -- Term paper due

12/06 -- Exam

Grading: Your course grade will be determined by your articles (about one half); final paper (about one fourth); and exam (about one fourth). Participation and reports will also count.

Academic integrity: As college students, you are expected to know and comply with all academic integrity provisions. As journalism graduate students, you are expected to be especially vigilant about doing original work, citing sources properly, and meeting exemplary standards.

Note: I am here to help. Let me know of any special needs or concerns, and feel free to drop by my office to visit, with or without an appointment.

Journalism 620, class schedule

Date Topic Assignment

8/30 Introduction and Professional Refresher

Media in an Age of Change

Writing Workshop

Law of the Press Review

9/6 News Values Clark 10, Press 1-4

9/13 Elements of News Kovach-Rosenstiel in entirety

Clark 9 (Littledale-Thompson)

9/20 Constraints on Media: Professional Press 7-11, Clark 9 (Pyle-Patterson)

9/21 Constraints on Media: Newsgathering Press 12-13

10/4 Constraints on Media: Economic and Press 20-23

Social

10/11 Legal and Ethical Issues Clark 11, Press 15-17

10/18 Reporting: Sources and Interviewing Clark 1

10/25 Reporting: Documents, Databases Press 18-19

and Surveys

11/1 Covering Local Issues Clark 2-3

11/8 Covering Crime and Justice Clark 4

11/15 Covering Legislative Issues Clark 7-8

11/21 TERM PAPER DUE

11/29 Covering Executive Issues; Presentations Clark 5-6

12/6 Future of News; Presentations; EXAM DUE Press 25

Note: This schedule is subject to change. Changes will be announced.