Adviser:                   John Shrader

Email:                      John.Shrader@sjcc.edu

Phone:                               408.298.2181 x 3214

This is basically an Introduction to Radio class. The student will learn the basics of the business: The history, the FCC regulations, the business structure, the style and substance of on-air presentation, how to interview, how to communicate with the audience, and much more.

This is also a project-based, hands-on lab class. Those who meet certain criteria will be doing solo on-air shifts by their second semester. Students who meet certain criteria will be allowed to get on the air in the first semester, sitting alongside an experienced on-air person.

Students are enrolled in Journalism Directed Study 098 at the discretion of the adviser. You must agree to the terms of a contract that will be signed by both student and adviser.

After learning the basics and getting proper training, the student will have an opportunity to be on the air on KJCC radio. This is NOT automatic. Getting an on air shift on the radio station is a privilege; it is not a right. The student’s privilege to be on the radio station can be revoked at any time. There are certain responsibilities required of the on-air staff, and students are accountable for what they say on the air. PERIOD. There will be a zero-tolerance policy regarding language, not just those words acceptable to the FCC, but deemed to be acceptable and appropriate by the adviser. You can convey attitude on the air without the use of questionable language.

Class Structure:

Students will sign up for 2 (two) units of Journalism 098 Directed Study. Students will meet in a classroom setting for one hour a week, during which you will have instruction, guest speakers, reading materials and tutorials. There will be no exceptions. This class is structured as a combination instructional and lab course.

Section 1 will be held Mondays 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. in Tech Center Room 302.

Section 2 will be held Tuesdays 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. in Tech Center Room 302.

Attendance:

The student is expected to be in the classroom for one hour a week. If you miss three consecutive weeks – unexplained and unexcused – you will be DROPPED from the class. If you miss two consecutive weeks of your radio show – unexplained and unexcused – you will be dropped from the class. NO EXCEPTIONS.

This is the communication business. If you have problems making it to class, or your on-air shift, please inform the adviser beforehand! A wide berth will be given to those who communicate their needs and concerns.

KJCC RADIO

Programming and Operations

The program is set up as a two-semester program, though a third or fourth semester will be allowed, especially for those who are currently in the program.

Radio Station Positions:

The following jobs will be performed by those with at least one semester in the program:

                            Station Manager, Operations Manager, Music Director, Community                                          Affairs and News Director, Sports Director – and others

First semester in the program –

              Introduction to Radio  

              FCC rules and regulations

              Station practices and policies

              Learn how to use the equipment (both studio and remote)

              Learn how to engineer programs (both studio and remote)

              Trained on the use of the control board

              How to interview

              How to do talk shows, including call-in shows

              How to use language, attitude and energy

              How to do news, public affairs and community affairs:

                                          Host A.S. meetings, host District Board meetings, write PSAs,                                                    produce and record PSAs, etc.

              Play by Play training for those interested in sports

              Station Promotion

Second semester in the program –

              Get your own one-hour-a-week program

                            To be crafted to your specifications with help from the adviser

                            This comes with a commitment to be on the radio when you’ve agreed,                                     each and every week of the semester

              Do sports play-by-play

              Do important community affairs and news interviews and/or programs

              Host live remote programs

ACADEMICS

Grading:

              Grades will be letter grades; the following are the considerations for evaluation:

              20 %      Attendance       (Perfect attendance gets extra consideration)

              20%       Worksheets and other weekly assignments

              20%       Quality and Quantity of on-air work

              10%       Job training and performance

              15%       Mid-Term         

              15%       Final

Textbook and Reading Materials:

There will be no textbook required in this class, though there may be assignments that require research, from the library, the Internet, or both.

Among the texts and books used for information and instructional material in this class:

              Broadcasting in America, by Sydney W. Head, Thomas Spann and Michael A McGregor

                  Media and Culture, by Richard Campbell, Christopher R. Martin and Bettina Fabos

                  Journalism in the Digital Age, by John Herbert

                  Woe is I, by Patricia O’Connor

                  50 Ways to Communicate, by Arthur Asa Berger

Expectations: