CA365:
Prerequisites
Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
This course provides an in-depth exploration of modern digital journalism. Students will explore journalistic methods of writing for the web, headline writing, blogging, and developing copy for social media. The topic of media convergence is covered in order to advance students’ understanding of the role of video, audio, and graphics in contemporary journalistic applications. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing and CA233.
Contact Information
Textbook: Journalism Next: A Practical Guide to Digital Reporting and Publishing
Edition: 4th
ISBN: 1544309449
Author: Mark E. Briggs
Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
1. Explore cross-channel media content, from development to publication.
2. Critically analyze historical and contemporary influences shaping the field of digital journalism.
3. Define and implement best practices in applied digital journalism
Tentative Course Schedule: Modules will contain weekly reading/annotation assignments.
All module assignments are due the following Sunday at 5 pm.
Assignments must be submitted via Weekly or Blackboard link in .doc or .pdf format.
1 Week of October 13 | Weekly Readings - CH 1 & 2 Digital Lives, Digital Journalism and the Power of Publishing - Blogging Discussion Boards Assignment in Blackboard |
2 Week of October 20 | Weekly Readings CH 3 Crowd-Powered Collaboration Project #1: Feature Story (due by 10/26 5pm) |
3 Week of October 27 | Weekly Readings and CH 4 & 5 Going Mobile and Telling Stories with Video Discussion Boards Assignment in Blackboard |
4 Week of November 3 | Weekly Readings CH 6 Visual Storytelling With Photographs Discussion Boards Assignment in Blackboard |
5 Week of November 10 | Weekly Readings CH 7 Making Audio Journalism Visible Project #2: Podcast (due by 11/16 5pm) |
6 Week of November 17 | Weekly Readings CH 8 Data-Driven Journalism Discussion Boards Assignment in Blackboard |
7 Week of November 24 | Weekly Readings CH 9 Building a Digital Audience for News Project #3: Social Platform Investigative Reporting (due 12/7 by 5pm) |
8 Week of December 1 | Discussion Boards Assignment in Blackboard/Final Review of Book |
| Major Assignments: | |
| Reading (8 weeks @ 10 pts each week) | 80 points |
| Feature Story | 20 points |
| Podcast | 20 points |
| Social Platform Investigative Reporting | 20 points |
TOTAL POINTS | 140 points |
Major Assignment Descriptions:
Project #1: Feature Story Select a topic of interest in storytelling. It can be an in-depth profile of a person, an exploration of a social issue, or an investigation into a specific event. Conduct interviews and collect primary and secondary sources to incorporate into your feature story. Use material we have read in our course book on engaging introductions, character development, scene-setting, etc. Create a written article for a one-column (350-500 words) as well as a blog post incorporating elements such as video interviews, audio clips, infographics, or interactive maps to engage your audience. Focus on a stand-out headline and engaging content as if you were submitting this to a newspaper. You will have 2 weeks to work on this assignment. Due Date: 10/26
Project #2: Podcast Select a theme or topic related to narrative journalism (investigative reporting, personal narratives, human interest stories, etc.) Create a document showing the structure of your one-episode podcast including the following: ● Your goals for the podcast ● Your format (solo episodes, one-on-one interviews, panel interviews, co-host conversational) ● Primary Themes (driving demand, building relations with influencers or customers, customer success or information) ● Intro (what's the show about? Do you have a guest to introduce?) ● Outline the Main Content ● Outro ● Strategy to market and distribute your podcast (do you need a landing page or website, social media, or other platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify) Recording and Editing: Record and edit your podcast. You can use any audio editing software to enhance your audio quality, remove background noise or add music or sound effects where appropriate. Remember to focus on pacing and overall production value while creating your podcast. You will have 3 weeks to work on this assignment. Due Date: 11/16
Project #3: Social Platform Investigative Reporting Select a current and relevant topic or issue and conduct investigative reporting using any social platform (Facebook, Threads, TikTok etc.) as your primary tool. Utilize advanced search techniques, hashtags, and advanced filtering options to find and analyze relevant conversations and user profiles. Create a comprehensive report of your findings including insights, trends, and key takeaways from the data. Include the challenges and benefits of using social platforms as a journalistic tool. Your report should be between 5-7 pages You will have 2 weeks to complete this project. Due Date: 12/7
Grading Policy Students will be evaluated via performance indicators applied to a variety of assignments, quizzes, and tests designed to evaluate students’ mastery of course concepts.
A = above 89%
B = 80 – 89%
C = 70 – 79%
D = 60 – 69%
F = below 60%
All late work will be returned to students with no grade (zero) for that assignment. Students are instructed to request an extension for any assignment that cannot be completed by the deadline. Requests must come in person (face-to-face) and at least 48 hours prior to the start of the class during which the assignment is due.
Instructor Course Policies
Attendance is required. Attendance will be taken randomly. Students missing from class will lose 3 points from their attendance grade. See the current Student Handbook for the college’s Attendance policy especially as it pertains to excused absences.
Academic misconduct will not be tolerated in the classroom. Failure to follow the aforementioned classroom policies may result in additional academic penalties as determined by the instructor and/or by the Office of Academic Affairs.
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Undergraduate: SP25 Final Exam Schedule Graduate:
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. |
Class Attendance Policy |
Accessibility and Disability Services
Accessibility and Disability Services
Wilmington College provides accommodations and services for student with a variety of disabilities, including chronic illnesses, psychological, physical, medical, learning, and sensory disability amongst others. If you anticipate or experience barriers based on disability and feel you may need a reasonable accommodation to fulfill the essential functions of this course, you are encouraged to contact:
Spencer Izor, Associate Vice President of Compliance - Title IX/ADA Coordinator at spencer.izor@wilmington.edu or 937-481-2365 or Nathan Flack, Academic Resource Manager at 937-481-2208 to learn more about the process and procedures for requesting accommodations, or by visiting College Hall Room 306a or the Robinson Communication Center, Room 103.
Religious Accommodations
Wilmington College strives for an inclusive climate and welcomes students from all backgrounds, faiths, and experiences. If religious observance impedes your ability to participate fully in classroom activities or a principal holiday from your religious tradition occurs during the semester and conflicts with class meetings or activities, please make the professor aware of this immediately to determine if a reasonable accommodation is possible.