Editing for Print and Digital Audiences JOUR 3155Spring Semester 2012 (3 credits) Prerequisites: Major status, JOUR

3004W & JOUR 3101 Murphy Hall Computer Lab (basement floor) Class time and place: Monday & Wednesday, 2:304:25 p.m. Instructor: Sarah McKenzie Office hours: by appointment Email: mcke0141@umn.edu (e-mail is my preferred mode of contact outside class and office hours) Class blog: jour3155spring2012.wordpress.com COURSE DESCRIPTION In this age of media convergence, it is incredibly important to keep in mind the growing duties of editors to make ethical, stylistic, grammar and design decisions across a number of media platforms. It is no longer good enough to understand how to write a headline that works on the front page of a newspaper; you must also learn to write a headline that fits on a computer screen, and increasingly, a cell phone. Editors must know how to lead editorial teams working in a multi-platform environment not only assigning and placing stories on a page or screen but also deciding the best ways for their reporters to tell those stories. This course is taught entirely in a computer lab, but the first part of most classes will be devoted to lecture and discussion, and the second part will be devoted to working on individual or group projects. There will be occasional guest speakers, too, to provide insights on relevant topics. COURSE SKILLS AND OBJECTIVES: Ethical decision-making skills, like word choice and photo choice and placement, and reading for fair and balanced reporting or legal issues Copy editing (correcting grammar and spelling errors, fixing sentence structure, removing unnecessary words, looking for style issues, etc.) and headline writing Mastering Associated Press (AP) style Editing for content, structure and readability Editing for design, space and visual appeal in print and digital media using InDesign, Dreamweaver and other applications Establishing leadership skills that would be necessary to edit a section or a publication in the current media marketplace. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS The following two texts are required and will be available in the University Bookstore: The 2010 AP Stylebook (older editions exist, but I would prefer you get this one) The Art of Editing in the Age of Convergence (Ninth Edition, Pearson) by Brian S. Brooks and James L. Pinson Also, you must have access to WebVista for this class. I use it to post announcements, documents and quizzes. SUGGESTED SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS: The Chicago Manual of Style (We will be following AP style, but you may want to become familiar with this alternate set of rules followed by many publications, including most magazines.) The Elements of Style by William Jr. Strunk and EB White. The king of all style books.

A must-have for writer geeks. A subscription to Lynda.com. I will be giving you basic tutorial hand-outs and lessons for the software we will be using in the class, but if youre really serious about learning and using the programs, then consider one of the subscriptions to the site because it gives excellent, indepth and up-to-date tutorials on every software package you can imagine, including Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign Photoshop, and QuarkXPress GENERAL STANDARDS Deadlines: Because deadlines are critical in journalism, all assignments handed in late will receive an F. Late is later than the beginning of class on the due date. If a true emergency prevents you from finishing an assignment, I expect adequate documentation and advance warning whenever possible. Each assignment is different, and often, I will want the assignments in various forms (digital, paper). I will specify this in advance of the due date. Please listen. Basic writing skills: We will be working on basic skills, but theres a difference between recognizing mistakes in other peoples writing and making them in your own. If I notice that you have a particular problem in your own writing with grammar, punctuation or spelling, I will point it out to you in a general way and refer you to the Writing Center for individual tutoring. If I see no improvement in the skills in question, I will begin marking down your work. Please note that my evaluation of accuracy in your work includes spelling especially of names of people, places, businesses, government agencies and other entities. Attendance: Attendance for this class is required. If you miss a lab or a quiz, you will not be able to make up for the missed points. (You also will be docked for participation.) However, some absences are excused particularly serious illness or a death in the family as long as you can provide appropriate documentation; missing class for work is not excused. It is helpful if you can email me in advance if you will miss class. Rules for the classroom and lab: Phones should be switched to off (not silent, and texting is not allowed). If you are caught doing work other than school work on the computers while lecture or discussion is taking place for example, checking e-mail, reading, updating your Facebook page you will be asked to leave the classroom. Its best to just turn off the computer or monitor during these times. Food and drink are not allowed in the lab. The lab can be noisy and it might require your utmost attention just to follow along some days. Please let me know if you cant hear me or your other classmates. Be courteous to your classmates and professor. If you have questions during class, please feel free to ask. If you are having difficulty with the work, please make an appointment or come to my office hours to talk about solutions. HOW THE CLASS WORKS The first part of each class will be spent in a lecture/discussion format where you will be expected to participate and contribute to the discussion. We will primarily discuss the assigned reading and other issues pertaining to that weeks topic at this time. The second part of the class is labeled a Lab. In some cases, you will be working with a team to critique or create a particular media product or participate in an exercise that is similar to what you might encounter in a professional media organization. In other cases, you

will be working alone to take an online editing quiz, edit copy or practice other editing skills, or using an application or software package to work on that days assignment. You will be given 5 points for each lab session that you complete and your work will not be officially graded but rather, I will give you immediate, in-class feedback on it. In some cases, you will be responsible for handing in an assignment. On these days, you receive 5 points for being in the lab and you will be given a grade for the assignment you hand in after you hand it in. ASSIGNMENTS AND VALUE Each of the assignments will be explained and discussed during class prior to the due date and will be posted to WebVista in further detail. Because of the nature of most of the assignments and how they build upon your new knowledge of a subject, you will be given only a couple of days to work on them. (This is not the case with the larger assignments toward the end of the semester.) Below are the values: Lab Completion Points (24 labs x 5 points): 120 Headline assignment: 25 Social media/blog assignment: 75 Print front-page assignment (InDesign): 25 Test over book/lecture material: 50 Ethics quiz: 25 Final paper: 80 TOTAL: 400 There is no extra credit available for this class. WEBVISTA: Be sure that you have access to WebVista for any announcements or assignments that are posted there. Also, most of your quizzes will be taken on WebVista in the computer lab. Workload Policy For undergraduate courses, one credit is defined as equivalent to an average of three hours of learning effort per week (over a full semester) necessary for an average student to achieve an average grade in the course. For example, a student taking a three credit course that meets for three hours a week should expect to spend an additional six hours a week on coursework outside the classroom. Grades Registration in this course is by A-F only. A Achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements. B Achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements. C Achievement that meets course requirements in every respect. D Achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements. F Represents failure and signifies that the work was either completed but at a level of achievement that is not worthy of credit or was not completed.

I (Incomplete) assigned at the discretion of the instructor. An incomplete grade will be considered only when documented, extraordinary circumstances beyond control, or ability to anticipate, prohibit timely completion of the course requirements. Incomplete grades are rare. Requires a written agreement between instructor and student. Course Grade Changes Questions about course grade changes should be directed to your instructor; or you may contact the Student Conflict Resolution Center at 612-624-7272 for assistance. Grade changes will be made only when there is evidence of an error in grading and/or recording of a grade. General Expectations and Extra Credit Students are responsible for all information disseminated in class and all course requirements, including deadlines and examinations. The instructor will specify whether class attendance is required or counted in the grade for a class. A student is not permitted to submit extra work in an attempt to raise his or her grade unless the instructor has specified at the outset of the class such opportunities will be afforded to all students. Extra credit opportunities will be offered only as part of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication research subjects pool project. More information about this will be forthcoming if/when relevant Sale of Notes Lectures given in this class are the property of the instructor. They may not be recorded without prior permission from the instructor. They may not be used for any commercial purpose. This includes the sale of notes to a retail distributor who reproduces them for resale to other students. Students found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to discipline under University policies. Scholastic Misconduct Definition Scholastic misconduct is broadly defined as any act that violates the rights of another student in academic work or that involves misrepresentation of your own work. Scholastic dishonesty includes, (but is not necessarily limited to): cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing, which means misrepresenting as your own work any part of work done by another; submitting the same paper, or substantially similar papers, to meet the requirements of more than one course without the approval and consent of all instructors concerned; depriving another student of necessary course materials; or interfering with another students work. Proven scholastic misconduct will result in a course grade of F. Disabilities Students with disabilities that affect their ability to participate fully in class or to meet all course requirements are encouraged to bring this to the attention of the instructor so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged. Further information is available from Disability Services (180 McNamara Alumni Center). Note: Students with special needs may receive this syllabus and other course materials in alternative formats upon request. Contact the SJMC Student Services Center for more information, 612-6250120. Sexual Harassment

University policy prohibits sexual harassment as defined in the 12/11/98 policy statement. Copies of the 12/11/98 policy statement on sexual harassment are available at 419 Morrill Hall or online. Complaints about sexual harassment should be reported to the University Office of Equal Opportunity at 419 Morrill Hall. Excused Absences Students will not be penalized for absence during the semester due to unavoidable or legitimate circumstances. Such circumstances include illness of the student or his or her dependent, participation in intercollegiate athletic events (see the Administrative Policy: Intercollegiate Athletic Events during Study Day and Finals Weeks: Twin Cities, which prohibits intercollegiate athletic competition during study day and finals week except under certain circumstances), subpoenas, jury duty, military service, bereavement, and religious observances. Such circumstances also include activities sponsored by the University if identified by the senior academic officer for the campus or his or her designee as the basis for excused absences. The instructor has the right to request verification for absences. Such circumstances do not include voting in local, state, or national elections. According to the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, all journalism and mass communication graduates, irrespective of their particular specialization, should be able to: understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances; demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications; demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications; demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society; understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information; demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity; think critically, creatively and independently; conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work; write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve; critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness; apply basic numerical and statistical concepts; apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work. About the instructor: Sarah McKenzie has served as editor of the Journals in Minneapolis (Southwest Journal and Journal for northeast and downtown) for the past six years. She also serves on the

board of directors for the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists. Before working for the Journals, she was a reporter for The Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal and the Journal Inquirer in Manchester, Conn. She has also interned for the Duluth News Tribune, Star Tribune and Pioneer Press. Shes a 2001 graduate of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. While an undergraduate, she worked for The Minnesota Daily, serving as managing editor her senior year.

SCHEDULE OF READINGS, DISCUSSIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS The Editor in 2012 Wednesday, Jan. 18: Introduction, run through the rules and syllabus Lab: Getting familiar with your computers + editing activities Monday, Jan. 23: Read and discuss Chapter One (Editing for Todays Changing Media) Lab: Work in teams to find stories online that demonstrate the news values on p. 7 Considering the Audience and the Industry Wednesday, Jan. 25: Read and discuss Chapter 2 (The Editor and the Audience) Lab: Be the editor case activity Monday, Jan. 30: Preliminary AP and Grammar Pre-Quiz (Bring your AP style book for this one) This grade will not be recorded, but this does count as todays lab, so you get 5 points for completing it. Editing Copy and Good Copy Editors Wednesday, Feb. 1: Discuss results of quiz Lab: Line editing Monday, Feb. 6: Read and discuss Chapter 3 (The Editing Process) Lab: Line editing and beyond Editing for the Big Picture Wednesday, Feb. 8: Read and discuss Chapter Four (Macro-Editing) Lab: Team exercise on story budget and placement Monday, Feb. 13: Additional discussion of macro-editing & other activities Precision in Language: Details! Wednesday, Feb. 15: Read and discuss Chapter 6 (Micro-Editing) Lab: Working in pairs to edit each other. Monday, Feb. 20: AP and Grammar Pre-Quiz, Second Try (Bring your AP style book again) The grade will not be recorded yet. This does count as your lab. Law and Ethics in Editing Wednesday, Feb. 22: Read and discuss Chapter 5 (Micro-Editing for Legality and Ethics) Lab: Team exercise on story choice and presentation Monday, Feb. 27: Discussion of Chapter 5, continued

Lab: Individual exercise on law and ethics Working Across Platforms Wednesday, Feb. 29: Read and Discuss Chapter 7 (Holistic Editing) Lab: Team work on breaking news assigning in multimedia Monday, March 5: Read and discuss Chapters 10 (Editing Newspapers) and 11 (Editing Magazines, Newsletters) Lab: Quick quiz over editing newspapers vs. magazines vs. newsletters Headlines, Titles, Captions, Blurbs for Old and New Media Wednesday, March 7: Read and discuss Chapter 8 Headline assignment due at end of class. Lab: Headline assignment. Due Monday, March 19. ** Spring Break, March 1216 Introduction to Visual Aspects of Editing Monday, March 19: Photographs, layout and infographics Introduction to InDesign Lab: Individual work using InDesign (start assignment) Wednesday, March 21: Written test over material to date (over the major concepts and the reading, but not a grammar/AP test) Lab: Work on your InDesign front page. Assignment due at end of class. Editing for the Internet, Mobile, iPad, Etc. Monday, March 26: Read and discuss Chapter 12 (Editing for the Web) + discussion of final paper assignment + social media assignment Lab: Get started on social media assignment Wednesday, March 28: Continued discussion on social media Editing for the Internet and Mobile, iPad, continued Monday, April 2: Reading TBA on editing/design concerns with mobile and iPad Wednesday, April 6: More on digital, mobile applications Imaginative and Insightful Editing Monday, April 9: Tips on idea generation Final Quiz on AP/Grammar no stylebooks allowed today. Grade will be recorded. This does count as a lab. Wednesday, April 11: More on brainstorming

Ethical Editing Practices Monday, April 16 Ethics discussion Lab: Editing activity Wednesday, April 18: Ethics discussion continued Lab: Ethics quiz The Editor as Coach, Leader, Manager, Superstar Monday, April 23: Discussion on leadership Wednesday, April 24: Leadership continued Final Week Monday, April 30: Review session Wednesday, May 2: Last day ** Final paper due Monday, May 7 at noon. Please e-mail to Sarah McKenzie at smckenzie@mnpubs.com.