Instructor:  Dr. W.A. Kelly Huff, 146 Williams, 529-3542, e-mail:  huffwa@muohio.edu

Office Hours:  Tuesdays, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m./Wednesdays, 12 noon to 2 p.m.

Text:  Hausman, C.  (1992).  Crafting the news for electronic media.  Belmont, CA:  Wadsworth Publishing Company.
        [Note:  Same text used last term in Communication 314:  Video News.]

Catalog Course Description and Prerequisites:   “Applies audio production theories and techniques to gathering,
        editing, and presenting long-form and short-form news stories.  Prerequisite:  junior standing, major status, or
        permission of instructor; COM 211 and 245.”

Course Objective:  By the end of the course, the student should have a better understanding of radio news, having
        gained knowledge in gathering, writing, producing, and presenting radio news, and of putting together radio news
        reports.  One should better understand differences and distinctions, not only between radio and TV news, but
        between print and broadcast journalism.

Methods of Instruction:  Several types of activities are planned, including lecture, discussion, and media exposure
        (pertinent audio and video tapes).

Attendance:  Radio news requires a great deal of knowledge, dedication, and practice.  The student is expected to
        attend on time all class meetings.  No makeup will be allowed.  Two times tardy equal one absence.  Each absence after
        one will reduce the class participation grade by 10 percent.  Each half absence, or tardy, after the initial absence will
        result in a five percent reduction in the class participation grade.

News Personality Profile Papers/Presentations:  Each student will prepare a written, documented report on a
        radio news personality.  The student will then share his/her findings with the class in a semi-formal presentation.  The
        student should submit a proposal in writing to the instructor as early as possible.  There will be no duplication of topics,
        and the student must obtain written acceptance from the instructor.

News Reports:  These will be explained in class.  Examples will be provided.

Exams:  Two exams.  One will be a multiple-choice, short answer type, and the other is a midterm exam which will take
        essay form.  Student must use a bluebook for recording answers.  There will be no written final examination for this
        class, but there will be a final news report.

Make-Ups:  Students who miss an exam or assignment must present a bona fide reason as covered under the same
        policies that govern final exams; for example, serious illness,* or a University-sponsored event,** or a death in one’s
        immediate family.***  For any reason, the student must present a case in person and in writing to the instructor.
        Athletes must submit written notice of schedule conflicts the first week of class.

        * Illness:  The student must contact the instructor prior to the exam or assignment.  If you are unable to do so, have
        a friend or RA do so.  (Note:  Under most circumstances the make-up must be scheduled prior to the next class period
        or within the same week of the exam.  Note:  you may not take a makeup without an official medical excuse, then
        verification still must be presented to validate.)

        ** University-sponsored event:  Note:  The student must submit a written request to the instructor no less than two
        weeks prior to the event and must complete arrangements to make up the exam in advance.

        *** Family death:  Students must contact the instructor prior to the exam or discussion.  The university typically verifies
        that the student must miss class because of a family death.

Policy on Incompletes and Late Assignments:  Incompletes for documented illness or family emergency with advance
        notification to the instructor and only with written approval of the instructor as outlined above.  If a graded project or
        other assignment is not in by the deadline, it will not be accepted.  In broadcasting, work must be done on time or
        programs get canceled, people get fired or demoted, the company loses money, etc.  In keeping with the professional
        atmosphere of the course, such a policy for late assignments will be observed.

Audio/Visual and other classroom presentations (ex. guest speaker):  Some questions on exams will be taken from
        these.  There will be no opportunity for make-ups on these.  Video and/or audio tapes will be played in class only.
        They will not be made available outside class!  Obviously, the same goes for any guest speaker who may appear in class.

Grading:

        Various assignments (writing, PSAs,
            short news reports, etc.)                                            50 points
        Exam I                                                                          10 points
        Exam II -- Midterm (large bluebook required)               15 points
        Class Participation (including attendance)                         5 points
        News Personality Profile Papers/Presentations                 5 points
        Final long-term news report                                           15 points

                A+ = 97-100           A = 94-96.99          A- = 90-93.99
                B+ = 87-89.99         B = 84-86.99          B- = 80-83.99
                C+ = 77-79.99         C = 74-76.99         C- = 70-73.99
                D+ = 67-69.99         D = 64-66.99         D- = 60-63.99
                                        F  = everything below 60

Time Limits:  If a project has a specified, assigned time limit, it must be adhered to without fail.  For instance, 30 seconds
        means 30 seconds, not 29 or 31 seconds.  For each second over or under, half a letter grade is deducted from that
        project.

Lab Materials:  The student is required to have two, good quality, Position II High Bias, 60-minute cassettes and one
        reel-to-reel tape and take-up reel.  Splicing tape, marking pencil, and other editing materials will be provided.  Tape
        cartridges are sometimes required and can be borrowed from the checkout room.

Special Notes:

Students enrolled in a pass/fail option must complete all examinations with at least a "C" average; no other options are
        available.  The university mandates that “C-minus” is lower than a “C” in a pass/fail option.

Students who for some reason cannot take the final exam as scheduled must complete a form obtained from the Office of
        the Dean of the College of Arts & Science and give to the instructor two weeks prior to the last day of class.

Students who have a need for special accommodations due to any type of disability should schedule an appointment with
        me within the first week of the class.

Academic dishonesty penalties and definition are adhered to as outlined in the Student Handbook, under Part V, Academic
        Dishonesty, Sections 501-507.

I.  General introduction to radio news and course.

    A.  The news department and the radio station
    B.  Personnel and operations; How a radio news department operates; Managerial structure of radio stations and
          news departments.

II.  Typical radio news days.

      A.  Newsworthiness and news judgment
      B.  Radio news beats

III.  Radio newswriting

       A.  The radio script
       B.  Marking actualities

IV.  Radio production for news and public affairs

        A.  Techniques of radio news production and editing
        B.  The tools of radio news production and editing
        C.  Radio voice reports
        D.  Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
        E.  Radio newscasts

V.  News announcing
 

IMPORTANT DATES

EXCHANGE DAY   Tuesday, February 18, No Class
EXAM I     To be announced
EXAM II    To be announced
NEWS PERSONALITY PROFILES February 27, March 4, March 6 (if necessary)
SPRING BREAK    March 10-14, No Class
FINAL NEWS REPORT DUE  Thursday, May 1