WWW Journalism 019:130:005

Jennifer M. Tiernan Office hours: MW 9 10 a.m., T 1 2 p.m. OMB 7 335-3610 jennifer-tiernan@uiowa.edu
Course Overview Online journalism does not mean simply posting print or broadcast journalistic work on the Internet. This course covers the creation of web-appropriate journalistic content. Through group work, students will focus on an audience for their project and tailor their work to the limitations of and opportunities provided by web publishing. The technology of web publishing should be seen as only a tool and not as a focus of this course. The main focus of this course is the production of web-appropriate, audience-appropriate, excellent journalistic content.
Note: During this class, the instructor should be viewed like a newspaper publisher or managing editor. I will not be responsible for the editorial content you and your group create, but I will be strict about deadlines and the amount of effort you put in to your projects. I may offer suggestions from time to time, but unlike an executive or city editor, I will not be managing your day to day newsgathering. This course will be run like a newsroom, and therefore no excuses will be accepted for missed deadlines, late work, or the ³inability² to find stories or sources. By taking this class, you accept and agree to the terms of this syllabus.
Learning Objectives Upon completion of the course, each student should: 1.Understand how intended audience shapes journalistic content. 2.Demonstrate an understanding of how the limitations of the online publishing environment shape journalistic content. 3.Demonstrate an understanding of how the opportunities of the online publishing environment shape journalistic content. 4.Produce and publish to the web a specialty publication focused on the needs and interests of a particular audience.
Required Text The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law, edited by Norm Goldstein. This book is available at the IMU, Iowa Book and Supply, as well as online at any of the major booksellers (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Powells).
Assignments and Evaluation Student grades will be based on both group and individual performance.
Group Assignments	Points
Proposal and Presentation	150
Weekly Progress Reports	150
Final Report and Presentation	200
Group Assessment	50
Total Group	550

Individual Assignments	Points
Assess Online Publication	150
Weekly Style Quizzes	150
Final Analysis Report	100
Individual Assessment	50
Total Individual	450

Total for Course	1000
Grading will be based on a total of 1000 points: A+=980-1000; A=930-979; A-=900-929; B+=880-899; B=830-879; B-=800-829; C+=780-799; C=730-779; C-=700-729 D+=680-699; D=630-679; D-=600-629 F=599 and below If you attend class and turn in assignments on time, you will not fail this course. Spelling, grammar, and usage are elements of evaluation on all written assignments.
Weekly progress reports Groups will complete a one-page summary of all group activities undertaken during the week and turn in two copies of that summary at the beginning of each Wednesday day class. The memos must be initialed by ALL group members.
Proposal and Presentation Two copies of a first draft of each group¹s project proposal are due on Wednesday, February 7. The drafts will be reviewed and returned that same day and two copies of the final draft of the project proposal are due on Monday, February 12. On that day group members will present the proposal to the entire class. A handout will be provided detailing the contents of proposals and presentations.
Final Report and Presentation Two copies of a final report detailing each group¹s project are due on Wednesday, May 2. On Wednesday, May 2, group members will also present the report and final project to the entire class. A handout will be provided detailing the contents of final reports and presentations. Group Assessment The instructor will evaluate the overall process undertaken by each group, including overall skill, professionalism, and team dynamics. Attendance Each student is expected to attend every session of this course. If you must miss class, contact the instructor beforehand. If a student misses six or more classes, the student will receive a failing grade for the course. Individual Assessment The instructor will evaluate each person¹s individual contribution to the group. The grade is determined by reading student journals. Journals Each class member keeps a journal and turns it in to the instructor several times during the semester. Journals are confidential between the student and the instructor. In their journal, students should analyze the dynamics of the group and detail their own work on the project, including hours contributed to the project. Hours Contributed Although most staff reporters do not charge on an hourly basis, keeping track of your work in this manner will be helpful. Freelance reporters and writers charge on an hourly basis, as do public relations consultants. Some of you may find yourselves in these fields after you graduate. Journal entries must include a tally of hours worked listed by day and totaled by week. Discuss worked hours with other group members and be prepared to explain and justify them to each other and to the instructor. Weekly Style Quizzes Style quizzes will be given weekly on the day reading assignments are due. The quizzes will be based on the particular readings for each week. These reading assignments are listed in the course schedule. Final Analysis Report Each student will be required to submit a four page final analysis report on Monday, April 30. The report is an assessment of both group and individual performance in the class. A handout detailing the format of the final analysis report will be provided on Wednesday, April 4. Class Policies Complaints If a student has a complaint concerning the course or instructor, the student should take the complaint to the instructor or to John Soloski, Chair of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, whomever seems most appropriate in the estimation of the student. Special Needs Any student with special needs should contact the instructor as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made to accommodate those needs. Late Work Late assignments will not be accepted and will be given no credit. Deadlines are a crucial aspect of journalism and students are required to adhere to all assignment deadlines stated in the course schedule and by the instructor. In general, do not procrastinate. Class assignments will take much longer than you might expect. Learn to work efficiently as a team on assignments by delegating tasks.

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