Class Schedule Update

4 April, 2011
To: Advanced Newspaper Journalism Students
Re: Revised schedule for the remainder of the semester

We’ve had to do quite a bit of schedule-juggling, but here is how the rest of the semester looks at this point:

Tonight – April 4. Wes Pippert will be with us by Skype (I just talked with him) His chapter is on p. 79 of the Kennedy & Moen book. Please have your questions ready for him. Since he directs the U of Missouri master’s program in journalism in Washington, DC, he may also have some good insights on changes in the newspaper industry, how journalists should be preparing for the future, etc. I hope this will be a stimulating and helpful conversation. In addition to Wes, we’ll try to look at IRE chapters 15 & 16, Stephen will lead us through the investigative reporting chapter (p. 113) in Kennedy & Moen (have your questions), Ethan will review his book “All the President’s Men” and we will try to save at least 45 minutes for critiquing your first drafts of a new story. I think this works best if you bring three copies – one for you and two critiquers, read your story out loud, everyone marks up the copies as you go, and then you discuss.

Next week, April 11 – Zach will lead discussion on “Computer-Assisted Journalism Creates New Knowledge” (p. 127). We’ll discuss IRE chapters 17 & 18, and we’ll discuss how you’re coming on your investigative projects.

April 18 – I’ll lead discussion on “How to Get the Journalism You Deserve” (p. 148) of Kennedy & Moen, and your final copies will be due for the stories you read tonight. We’ll do IRE chapters 19, 20, & 21.

April 25 is Winona Lake Town Council Candidate’s night at the senior center. Class meets at regular time. Candidate meeting starts at 7 p.m., so I’ll take one carload down at 6:30 (save us all seats) and will return for the remainder. By this night you should have done background research (from Times-Union or other sources) on who each candidate is, and should be prepared to ask some questions of them. Your story will be due 24 hours later (9 p.m. Tuesday, April 26) and it should be written for local media (Times-Union, StaceyPageNews). This will replace the “board story” requirement in the syllabus.

May 2 – Deb Sprong has re-scheduled to this night for “Literary Journalism.” Be sure to read “Rosa Lee’s Story” and the discussion guide which are posted on the portal. Assuming we have enough time that night, we’ll also have the “shadow-a-reporter” reports (verbal and a written one to hand to me) from Stephen and Zach.

May 9 (final class) – we’ll have the remaining “shadow-a-reporter” reports (Sarah, Josh & Ethan) and your investigative project stories will be due, along with the 10-15 minute verbal reports on your positive experiences, difficulties encountered, and assessment of the worth of this investigative project. We can also discuss Freedom of Information Act material this night.