Multimedia Copy Editing & Layout

DMJ 312 (01), CRN 1469, 3 credit hours/week*

SUNY New Paltz, Digital Media & Journalism Dept.
Spring 2015

Nancy M. Heiz
Adjunct Prof., Journalism
nancy.m.heiz@gmail.com
718-208-5561 cell, txt

MMCELO Class Schedule (draft; this may be tweaked throughout the semester)
WEEK 1
Wednesday, Jan. 21: Introductions, What is Copy Editing? Intro to InDesign; Create name cards
Editing Assignments: Readings on copy editing; Post intro and reading reaction to website;
Purchase AP Stylebook and become familiar with course wiki, website & Dropbox
Design: Intro to InDesign; Create name cards
InDesign Assignment: Watch font videos, design name card for presentation 1/28
WEEK 2
Wednesday, Jan. 28: Copy editing; editors role; AP Style: Titles
Editing Assignment: Reading on macro editing; AP style exercise (self-graded)
Design: More on fonts, design; Name card presentations
InDesign Assignment: Reading, videos on InDesign; become familiar with tool panels
WEEK 3
(Feb. 2 is last day to drop the course without a fee)
Wednesday, Feb. 4: Macro editing; AP Style: Numerals (also: dates, times, ratios, $, sports statistics, etc.)
Editing Assignment: Reading/discussion on macro editing; AP style exercise (self-graded)
Design: InDesign layout fundamentals: Page elements; create a 2-page layout
InDesign Assignment: Complete your 2-page layout
WEEK 4
Monday, Feb. 9: Extra Credit Opportunity: Ottaway Prof. Alissa Quart introduction to the Campus Community/Q&A with
President Christian, 6 p.m., Honors Center (details to follow)
Wednesday, Feb. 11: AP Style: Quotes
Design: More on InDesign
InDesign Assignment: Rework your 2-page layout, add pullquotes, master pages
WEEK 5
Tuesday, Feb. 17: Extra Credit Opportunity: Prof. Lisa Phillips reading/talk/book signing for Unrequited: Women and
Romantic Obsession at 6 p.m. at the Honors Center (details to follow)
Wednesday, Feb. 18: AP Style: Punctuation (Practice speed editing);
Design: work on InDesign projects; Sidebars/Alternative story forms
InDesign Assignment: TBD
WEEK 6
Wednesday, Feb. 25: AP Style: Internet/social media; news feature/live event editing (Practice speed editing)
Design: InDesign projects; Sidebars/Alternative story forms/Photos
InDesign Assignment: TBD
WEEK 7
Wednesday, March 4
AP Style; news feature/live event editing (Practice speed editing); Photos; Midterm InDesign projects

WEEK 8
Monday, March 9 is MIDPOINT of SEMESTER
Wednesday, March 11 MIDTERM: InDesign midterm projects due; in-class editing assignment on deadline (this is your
midterm exam no makeups)
WEEK 9
Wednesday, March 18 SPRING BREAK! Class doesnt meet this week
WEEK 10
Wednesday, March 25
Feature editing & story packaging
Visual Storytelling; Storytelling Through Maps
WEEK 11
Wednesday, April 1
Web Editing & Packaging/Intro to Press Wrongs
Maps due
WEEK 12
Wednesday, April 8
Web Editing & Press Wrongs Reading, Discussion, Homework due
Storytelling Through Timelines (Reading, Links, Prep due)
WEEK 13
Monday, April 14: Extra Credit Opportunity: Ottaway Prof. Alissa Quarts speech, Location TBD (details to follow)
Wednesday, April 15
Web Editing DUE; Timelines due; Storytelling Through Infographics; Brainstorm Final Project Pitches for TLR
WEEK 14 Please complete the SEI for this course (April 23-May 6)
Wednesday, April 22 Final project plan pitches for TLR due
Infographics due; Web Editing & Packaging for TLR
WEEK 15 Please complete the SEI for this course (April 23-May 6)
Tuesday, April 28 Final Project Plan is due and must be approved (by TLR for publication)
Wednesday, April 29 LAST CLASS of the semester
Other Multimedia Story Formats, Options
Review MMCELO; How can I use these editing skills? Whats next?
WEEK 16
Work on your Final Project
Please complete the SEI for this course (April 23-May 6)
WEEK 17
FINAL EXAMS WEEK
Wednesday, May 13
NOON: MMCELO FINAL PROJECT DUE
12:30pm- 2:30pm: FINAL EXAM, CSB 24