WEEK ONE: Introduction
August 24
In-class video, "New Adventures in Computer-Assisted
Reporting"
(reaction paper on video due Wednesday)
"50 CAR Ideas for Your Beat," Napolitano
"Twenty Quick Hits"
"Reporters Tap Data Power," Albers
"Computers Helped Get These Stories"
"On the Beat," Reisner
WEEK TWO: Intro to CAR and spreadsheets
August 31
(One page reaction paper on syllabus due Monday)
(Web search paper due Wednesday)
"Revealing State Secrets," Lewis
Houston, Ch. 1, 2, Appendix E
Houston, Ch. 6
WEEK THREE: more Spreadsheets
September 7 (Monday holiday)
(Project Story report due Wednesday)
Spreadsheet tutorials and exercises
"Lone Star CAR," Shelton
Houston, Ch. 3, 8
Houston, review "Spreadsheet Exercises," p. 205-214
WEEK FOUR: more Spreadsheets
September 14
Spreadsheet tutorials and exercises
"Reporter's Digital How-To: Following the Money Trail," Bowen
Houston, Ch. 7"
Handout, "Spreadsheets vs. Databases," Gordon"
WEEK FIVE: more Spreadsheets
September 21
(Project Idea Memo due Wednesday)
Spreadsheet tutorials and exercises
Houston, Ch. 5
Houston, Appendices C, D
WEEK SIX: Intro to Database Software
September 28
Database tutorials and exercises
Houston, Ch. 4
Houston, Ch. 10
Houston, review "Database Manager Exercises" for FoxPro, p.
242-257
WEEK SEVEN: more Database Software
October 5
(Data Acquisition Memo due Wednesday)
Database tutorials and exercises
Houston, Ch. 9
"The Top 38 List of Excuses Government Agencies Give For Not Being
Able to Fulfill Your Data Request (And Suggestions on What You Should
Say or Do)."
WEEK EIGHT: more Database Software
October 12
Database tutorials and exercises
WEEK NINE: more Database Software
October 19
(Preliminary Interviews Memo due Wednesday)
Database tutorials and exercises
WEEK TEN: Work on the reporting project
October 26
WEEK ELEVEN: Work on the reporting project
November 2
(Database Analysis Memo due Wednesday)
Class meeting/work time
WEEK TWELVE: Continuing with the Project
November 9
Class meeting/work time
WEEK THIRTEEN: Continuing with the Project
November 16
(Follow-up Interview Memo due Wednesday)
Class meeting/work time
WEEK FOURTEEN: Continuing with the Final Project
November 23
Class meeting/work time Monday, no class meeting Wednesday for
Thanksgiving break
WEEK FIFTEEN: Wrapping up the Final Project
November 30
Class meeting/work time
Story drafts due in class Wednesday (2 copies). Teams will
exchange drafts and comment on each others' projects. Discussion of
drafts in class.
WEEK SIXTEEN: Final Project Presentations / Course
wrap-up
December 7
Final project presentations
Final Projects Due
FINALS WEEK
December 14
Individual Analysis Report Due Tuesday, December 15, Noon in my
mailbox, W603 Seashore Hall