San Antonio College -- 1300 San Pedro Ave. -- San Antonio, TX, 78212-4299
Credit Hours: 3-3-1
Instructor: See Faculty for instructors teaching the course.
Office: Loftin 216 -- Instructor is usually in Loftin 212 Phone Number: (210) 733-2872 (Abrego) FAX: (210) 733-2868
Email: email to iabrego@accd.edu Web Address: http://www.accd.edu/sac/j-p/Abrego.html
I. Catalog Description: COMM 2309 - News Editing and Copy Reading I Prerequisite: COMM 2311.
This course focuses on copy editing for print media; selecting, processing and displaying news and other information. Reader interest, readability, clarity, verification and stayle are emphasized. This is a Writing-Intensive course.
As a Writing Intensive course, 60 percent of the course grade is based on writing assignments which consist of stories, essay exams and other types of written work.
II. Pre-requisites, co-requisites and other requirements: COMM 2311
III. Texts:
"The Art of Editing," fifth edition, by Floyd K. Baskette, Jack Z. Sissors and Brian S. Brooks
"News Reporting and Writing," fifth edition, by the Missouri Group (used in Reporting 1 and Reporting 2)
"Elements of Style" by Strunk and White. References will be Webster's New World Dictionary and "The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual."
IV. Instruction will consist of: Much of the learning in this course depends on reading and understanding course materials. We will survey the course information through class discussions and lab experiences. Learning to meet deadlines and developing the ability to manage time also are part of the course.
V. Course Content:
This course is designed to give the student an editing experience that is as realistic as possible. By the end of the semester, if you complete the course successfully, you may expect to achieve the following:
Effectively use references and style guides.
Learn a high regard for accuracy and fairness.
Develop an appreciation for and understanding of the place of print media in a free society and of the copy editor's role as a journalist.
Master basic principles of libel and privacy laws as well as Texas laws on open meetings and open records.
Develop a sensitivity to and recognition of weak leads, faulty transition, poor story structure, inadequacy of stories, redundancies, sensationalism and appropriate treatment of stories.
Develop speed with accuracy, involving quick evaluation of articles, cutting to specified length, fast editing without rewriting, fast headline writing while avoiding faults and quick judgment of picture values with the added ability to write lean, interesting cutlines.
Learn the basics of headline typography.
Develop people skills by working on a student publication.
VI. Learning Outcomes and Performance Objectives with their methods of measurement as used to determine the students' mastery of those outcomes.
Learning Outcome 1: The student will demonstrate knowledge of editing experiences as realistically as possible.
Performance Objectives/Method(s) of measurement for each objective
1. The student will demonstratea high regard for accuracy and fairness by editing copy for the campus newspaper and being graded for the work, by written exams and class discussion of editing techniques.
2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the place of print media in a free society and the copy editor's role as a journalist by editing copy for the weekly newspaper and being graded for the work, by written exams and class discussion of editing techniques.
3. The student will demonstrate mastery of the basic principles of libel and privacy laws as well as Texas laws on open meetings and open records, be tested on these principles and show understanding through class discussions, lab experiences and case studies.
Learning Outcome 2: The student will demonstrate expertise in the basics of copy reading and editing.
Performance Objectives/Method(s) of measurement for each objective
1. The student will demonstrate a sensitivity to and recognition of weak leads, faulty transition, poor story structure, inadequacy of stories, redundancies, sensationalism and approprieate treatment of stories by participating in class discussions, editing copy for the weekly newspaper for a grade and examinations.
2. The student will develop speed with accuracy, involving quick evaluation of articles, cutting to specified length, fast editing without rewriting, fast headline writing while avoiding faults and quick judgment of picture values with the added ability to write lean, interesting cutlines by editing copy in the weekly newspaper for a grade and by written examinations.
3. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the basics of headline typography by work on the weekly newspaper, class discussion/demonstrations and written exams.
4. The student will develop people skills, critical thinking skills and time management skills by working on a student publication and building a portfolio of published work.
(SCANS COMPETENCIES are only required for courses which are a part of an AAS degree plan.) SCANS Competencies: See attached for a list of competencies related to the workplace as outlined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
VII. Course requirements and grade computation: Methods of instruction include lecture, discussion, videotapes, slides and group activities as well as readings.
Writing assignments count 20 percent, class assignments will count 20 percent, editing and design assignments will count 20 percent, short exams after discussion of design, copyediting, photo and graphics and headline will count 20 percent and the final comprehensive exam will count 20 percent.
TIPS:A. College Requirements: A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed two and one-half hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.
Be here and on time.
Be prepared. Read your textbook before class. You are responsible for material in each chapter assigned whether or not we discuss it in class. The information in the text teaches you how to do what you are expected to do in lab each week. Our class time is insufficient to cover all the textbook material plus supplemental material.
Keep up with current events. Read The Ranger and the San Antonio Express-News as a minimum, and watch radio and television news.
Find out what happened in class if you have to miss. Ask a classmate for notes, assignments, etc. You are responsible for all material and assignments whether or not you are here.
Take responsibility for your transcript. Do not simply stop coming to this class or any other. If you stop coming without dropping the course, you likely will receive an F. If you want to drop, please discuss it with me.
Be a team player. Help your classmates and fellow Ranger staffers.
Jump at the chance for extra assignments and opportunities to get involved on The Ranger staff. The more you do in this class the more you learn.
Get in the habit of delivering more than is required.
Good luck!
A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded "F." Postponed examinations result in a grade of "I." The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an "F." (San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook - January 1995)
B. Departmental Requirement: A student wishing to withdraw from this class during the semester must process a formal withdrawal through the Office of Admissions and Records. Failure to withdraw formally will result in the assignment of a failing grade (F) for the course. You may drop by going to the Office of Admissions and Records, or you may send me an e-mail requesting that I drop you from the class. If you do the latter, please be sure to type your full name at the bottom of your request. You also may drop by Room 204-a of Loftin Student Center to pick up a drop slip.
C. Instructor Requirements:
VIII. College Policies:
A. San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs or services.
B. Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council - April, 1998
C. ADA Statement: "As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisABILITY Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.
D. A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.
E. Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the "Student Code of Conduct" in the San Antonio College Bulletin.
F. Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. College Academic Council, 01/ 2000.
G. San Antonio College Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is responsible for all work missed. Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The instructor establishes the policy with regard to each.
Absences of each student are recorded without exception. The counting of absences begins on the first day of class. A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a 16-week semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of "W' (withdraw). It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.
H. San Antonio College is a smoke-free campus.
I. ACCD DPS Emergency Phone Numbers:
ACCD DPS Emergency Phone (210) 222-0911J. Students must also abide by the policies, procedures, and rules set forth in the "Student Code of Conduct" and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin.
ACCD DPS General Phone (210) 208-8099
ACCD DPS Weather Phone (210) 208-8189 (For information on college closures)