Journalism Syllabus - Beginning and Advanced Classes

These two syllabus templates - one for rookie Journalism students and the other for veteran adolescents who are continuing with this elective offer teachers the guidelines to plan the year.

Each one leads with an Introduction. Here are the first paragraphs of both the Beginning and Advanced versions:

BEGINNING:

In this class students will learn the language of journalism, and will study research, reporting and interviewing techniques.They will write a variety of articles (news, feature, editorial, sports and reviews) as well as understand the process behind print and broadcast news.In doing so, they will become more critical readers and viewers of mass media. Students will learn the techniques used in newspaper production, basic desktop publishing and layout and design.

ADVANCED

Journalism 2, 3 and 4 students practice the skills of writing, layout, design, desktop publishing and printing processes. They develop a more sophisticated level of journalistic writing and participate in the operation and production of the school newspaper. This class provides them the opportunity for practicing editorial leadership, developing a personal sense of professionalism, understanding the role of the newspaper in our society, and for becoming productive members of the newspaper staff. Students also add to their knowledge of business and circulation management.

The body of the prospectus includes:

Class objectives which provide excellent outlines for planning activities and lessons

Textbooks

Videos

Course Timeline

Grading Policy

Grading Scale

Classwork, Homework, and Project Requirements, and

Required Materials.

The document ends with an office hour explanation, a closing comment about the excitement and power of Journalism, and space for the teacher's handwritten and typed signature.

Following journalism's inverted pyramid writing style, each detailed syllabus moves from the general overview of each level, to specific teaching points, and ends with the standard business letter closing.

If beginning and veteran students are grouped into one class, the lessons for the first year students can serve as review and reinforcement for the continuing students. As the rookie students become more skilled reporters, they should be eased into working on the various aspects of publishing a school paper- from short pieces such as a calendar of upcoming events from the school's activities and clubs, a sports calendar,or short movie/book/concert/restaurant blurbs, to selling ads, and for assisting staff writers by writing headlines,digging up resources for pieces and creating graphics or taking pictures for that issues pieces.

As always, this activity- PDF version- may be downloaded and printed for classroom use. Also, an Easel Activity is ready to be used for Google Classroom. Teachers may choose to add an interactive layer of their own for digital use by clicking on the red "Open in Easel" rectangle on the product's page.

Have a terrific year igniting students' passion for becoming reliable, responsible and ethical journalists.

Check out the 14 individual lessons and activities that meet the goals of each syllabus in my Journalism Custom Category, or purchase all of them for a discounted price in my Make News! Journalism Activities Bundle.

Make News! Journalism Activities Bundle

Enjoy a Teach It Now Day Every Day.

Connie