Instructor:  Dr. W.A. Kelly Huff,         146 Williams, 529-3542         e-mail:  huffwa@miavx1.acs.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 will be used next term in Communication 313:  Audio.]

Catalog Course Description and Prerequisites:  "Emphasizes application of video to all phases of the journalistic
        process, including newsgathering, writing, and presentation.  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 TV news, having
        gained knowledge in gathering, writing, and presenting TV news, and of putting together TV 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
        videos).

Attendance:  TV 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 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 Packages:  These will be explained in class.  Video examples will be provided.

Exams:  One 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 package.

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 (typed and double-spaced)                         10 points
        Writing Assignments (typed and double-spaced)                         30 points
        Midterm Examination (large bluebook required)                          20 points
        Class Participation (including attendance)                                    10 points
        News Personality Profile Papers/Presentations                              5 points
        First News Package                                                                   10 points
        Final Package or newscast                                                          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

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 television news and course.

    A.  Chapter 3:  How a news department operates; Managerial structure of TV stations and news departments.
    B.  Assignment I:  Diagram and explain managerial structure of a TV station.
    C.  Chapter 2:  Sources of news; How a news department operates; Typical and non-typical TV news days.
    D.  Assignment II:  Compare number of stories on front page, first local news page, and sports page with number of
          stories on local TV news.

II.  Chapters 5-7:  Elements of Writing the Story

    A.  Assembling facts in basic broadcast style
    B.  Putting it on paper

        1.  Mechanics of broadcast style and scripting
        2.  Advanced news writing techniques.

    B.  Assignment III:  Rewrite print leads into television news style.
    C.  Assignment IV:  Rewrite broadcast news stories from print stories.
    D.  Writing to videotape.

III.  Using lexis/nexis for television news research.  (also consult Chapter 4.)

IV.  Broadcast news pioneer, Edward R. Murrow.

V.  Chapters 9-10:  TV news production

    A.  Introduction to electronic news gathering (ENG)
    B.  The news package
    C.  The newscast
    D.  Assignment V:  Write three broadcast news stories

VII.  News personality profiles

VIII.  News announcing

IX.  Chapter 12:  News ethics

IMPORTANT DATES

EXCHANGE DAY   Tuesday, September 3, No Class
MIDTERM EXAM   To be announced
NEWS PERSONALITY PROFILES October 22, 24, 29
NEWS PACKAGE I   Thursday, November 21
THANKSGIVING   Thursday, 11-28, No Class
NEWS PACKAGE II   Tuesday, December 10