Instructor and Adviser:  John Shrader

Office location:          Technology Center, Room 302A (inside 302)

Phone:                        408.298.2181 (extension 3213 is the newsroom number)

E-mail:                       JOHN SHRADER   john.shrader@sjcc.edu

Mailbox location:  Room 307 Reprographics or mailbox in T 302 (newsroom)         

If you make an appointment in the newsroom, it is critically important that you keep it or you give advance cancellation notice.

Office hours:  Normal newsroom hours will be posted. The newsroom is always closed on Friday. Hours other than those posted are available only by arrangement with the advisers.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND WELCOME!

Students enrolled in the TIMES (Writing, Photojournalism, Graphics/Production or Directed Study) produce the print and online editions of the student-run newspaper. The TIMES, founded in 1956 as a key forum for news, information and opinion for more than 13,000 students, faculty and staff at SJCC each semester, has been printed two Thursdays a month for almost 50 years.

As a staff member, you have an opportunity to work on an award-winning newspaper. Former TIMES staff have gone on to competitive university programs in journalism and further into internships and careers at the LA Times, San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee, as well as other publications, television, magazines, public relations and advertising agencies. Even if you never pursue a media career, working on the TIMES gives you professional experience while you are still in school. The workplace skills you will learn will serve you well in a variety of professional settings.

Being on Times staff guarantees you exposure to interviewing, news writing, editing, graphics, layout and design and photography. You’ll also learn to work as a high performing team to meet deadlines, work under pressure, problem solve, and savor the sweet success of seeing your work published. All of these opportunities make for a great portfolio-building and resume-enhancing experience.

FOUNDATION WEEKS

In the early weeks, the TIMES class time will consist of small group tutorials that introduce you to aspects of production. During this orientation time, we will produce editions of both online and a print tabloid format newspaper. Every staff member will have an opportunity to observe and learn the production process real time working alongside the experienced editorial management staff.

Every staff member will have a chance to make a contribution.

Much of your work will be independent and self-paced. We operate in the newsroom like a workplace where your initiative will be a key factor in your success. The adviser’s role is to facilitate the classroom workplace, not to provide content-based instruction.

(Note: Journalism 22 (formerly 14): News Writing and Reporting, and Journalism 21 (formerly 10): Communications Media and Society are the two content-based courses in the program.)

Student learning will take place within the framework of the production of the newspaper. All staffers are expected to report at scheduled times whether or not a group tutorial is taking place; and to proceed through their responsibilities of their role independently and with the team.  The adviser will hold mid-term conferences with each student; will give feedback on all newspaper assignments before publication, and also provide an evaluation of each newspaper issue.

NEWSPAPER CLASS STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will be able to identify and participate in all aspects of compiling a student publication for the college community with a focus on newsgathering and reporting, editing, photojournalism and journalistic publication styles utilizing state-of-the-art computer resources. Students will produce stories and/or photos for publication in the student media. Students will learn how to manipulate the basic elements of news page design including headlines, text blocks, photos and captions, for presentation on the printed page or web page. Students will learn collaborative work techniques and techniques for developing relationship with constituents.

THE TIMES “CLASSROOM” ENVIRONMENT

• It is project-based, not just content-based, with a defined outcome or product at regular intervals.
• It requires that you follow operations procedures (like signing out equipment, saving your work to the right computer files, etc.) so that everyone has equal access to resources and can do their job.
• It requires both collaborative teamwork as well as individual performance.
• It allows for individuality and self-expression.  Assignments are self-directed and are the choice of the individual student (subject to editors’ approval).
• It is deadline-driven. Writing and photo deadlines must be met in consideration of those working on production, and in honor of our advertising contracts. We must publish on time.
• As a staff member of the TIMES, you are representing a news organization and must conduct yourself professionally and without conflict of interest. 
• Appropriate behavior is required absent of disrespectful remarks that may offend others, outbursts of temper, harassment, displays of images on computers that others may find offensive, and violations of the student conduct code. The TIMES has a zero tolerance policy regarding drugs, alcohol and violence or threats of violence. Inappropriate behavior is grounds for immediate disqualification from the TIMES.
• There is a limited food policy in our new quarters in the Tech Center. Only food may be consumed which is brought into school by the adviser or purchased as a group during production. No individual take out food may be brought into the building; you must consume it elsewhere. Coffee / tea is allowed, but not anywhere near the computer workstations. All staffers are expected to keep the room clean. Do not drink or eat anything at a computer workstation. Bottled water is ok as long as it has a cover. There is a Tech Center Café on the first floor.
• There is no smoking in the classroom or lab or in the entire Tech Building. You must go outside.
• It is expected that all staff will respect everyone’s rights to work in peace. You may not bring your friends unless you are introducing them to the possibility of working on the paper. During busy production times, if you are not working on production, you should leave the newsroom as there must be an atmosphere of intense concentration to meet our deadlines. There is time allocated to socializing and the staff does plan many social activities. Newsroom time is to be spent on task. 
• The last student(s) out of the newsroom must take responsibility for turning off equipment, lights…

 INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

-Tutorials: Hands-on practical engagement with the production process during scheduled in-class lab time

-Reading, viewing and analyzing news media, including print, online and broadcast

-Discussions and peer reviews

-Field trip to the San Jose Mercury News

-Instructor and/or editorial staff review and critique of drafts through final copy

-Complete Binder – a.k.a. stringbook -  of all work will be required both at mid-term and at the end of the semester. The stringbook is due in lieu of a final exam, and is required for academic credit.

ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Come to class at the scheduled time and sign the attendance sheet. Excessive absence will result in disqualification. Do not schedule interviews or photo shoots at the beginning of class without discussing it first with the instructor.

Important assignments and issues are discussed in the beginning of the class time. If you must be absent, please call the instructor as early as possible so your absence can be noted.

• Spend at least four hours per week in the TIMES newsroom fulfilling the lab requirement. Lab time is a time to have writer / photographer team meetings, and to fulfill communal duties, including:  production, distribution, promotion and newsroom upkeep.
• Time on your own individual story or photo assignments is flexible as to when you complete it. Sign in for time you spend in the TIMES newsroom that is not scheduled class or lab time on the computer “TIMEKEEPER” located on the counter. All staffers must register for the LS 210 section:  Supervised Tutoring in journalism in order to use the timekeeper. This keeps track of all your extra work time in the newsroom. The adviser adds you on a block add form that each student must sign.
• The TIMES adviser is answerable to the SJECCD district for what is printed in the TIMES, and the editor-in-chief and student editorial board are legally liable for what is printed. The adviser will review all TIMES content to watch for libelous content, factual errors, or inflammatory material. The adviser has the right to ask for revisions on any content that does not meet journalistic standards or one that has not met the production deadline. The adviser will not censor student opinion or content as this would infringe on your First Amendment rights and freedom of expression. The adviser will inform the student of any problems with the story or photo, make suggestions for revisions and expect that students will comply with these legal and ethical guidelines. In the case of controversial topics, the adviser will expect that the staff to discuss them in advance of publication to ensure that policies are upheld. In the case of a vote, editors have a vote, but the adviser does not have a vote in a student-run media operation. 
• All TIMES staffers assume a job description. The editor-in-chief is selected by and reports to the   adviser. Other editorial positions are chosen by the editor-in-chief and the adviser. Openings come up at mid-term for which staffers may apply. Staff must abide by the decisions of the editorial board. If any staff member has an issue with a decision, you should bring it to the editor-in-chief and/or adviser for discussion.
• TIMES staffers receive press passes after completing the two weeks of tutorials. The press pass gives staffers identification and access to events for the purpose of covering the story. When presenting the press pass, staffers must always be conscious that you are representing a news organization and must uphold industry behavior standards and ethics. TIMES staffers are not entitled to press passes; they are earned. If the adviser or editor believes that you are not yet ready to represent the organization, you will not receive the press pass. Any event covered by presentation of a press pass must be covered in a TIMES edition. Press passes must not be abused to earn free entry into events, and must be surrendered at the end of each semester or you won’t receive course credit.

GRADING POLICY

Grades will be based on student participation and performance. Students are required to conduct a self-evaluation both at mid-term and final. At both times, students will present a stringbook of all work completed for the TIMES. The stringbook contains copies of all materials (articles, captions, photos, calendars, news briefs, etc.) and is an important documentation of your class achievements.

EVALUATION FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:

QUANTITY

All staffers will be expected to produce a contribution to each TIMES edition turned in by the posted deadlines during the production cycles. Every staffer must complete a progress report to the adviser every Monday by 4:30 p.m. called “the 4:30 report.” Once the semester is underway, you will be working on multiple assignments at the same time.

When turning in a story or photo, a hard copy goes to the editor-in-chief and one copy goes to the adviser, and an electronic file goes into the pre-press folder on the server. This includes copies of photos or stories. This allows the editing process to take place.

The work will be reviewed and move on into production if there are no revisions required. If it requires further work or revisions, it will be given back and you may be asked to make the corrections / changes and resubmit it.  The adviser must have an opportunity to review the work with you before it goes into pre-press but the focus will be on story development and not copy editing.   Do not expect the adviser and editors to correct your spelling and grammar in your drafts!!!! 

You will also be required to produce at least one major piece of work during the semester:  a feature story with photos or illustrations for a writer, a series about one topic, a photo spread for a photographer, a regular column in addition to a weekly submission.  TIMES staffers should offer proposals for ideas for content.

QUALITY

Your work will be evaluated for quality:  successful grasp of the news element, high production value for photos and illustrations, professional fact checking, clean copy adhering to AP style, and achievement of overall journalistic standards as demonstrated in tutorials and through instructor and editors’ feedback. Your final grade will reflect the quality of your work, not just the quantity.

OTHER FACTORS

Teamwork, meeting deadlines, initiative, fulfilling your “job” responsibility, follow through and engagement with the mission of the TIMES.  In addition, all new TIMES staffers will be expected to complete a short weekly research question that requires you to find answers to common journalistic issues . Answers can be found in the newsroom materials, handouts, textbooks or online.  If the entire packet of semester’s research questions is not completed and turned in during the semester, your final grade will be decreased by one full grade, i.e. an “A” will become a “B,” etc.  Perfect attendance will earn extra points in factoring the final grade. The news business is deadline oriented. Missing your story deadline may mean missing your publication opportunity. 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance will be taken at every class meeting and students will be asked to sign in.  Per district policy, students who have consecutive absences from a class equaling the total number of meetings held in a single week may be disqualified from the class.  Every three tardies will count as an absence.

WITHDRAWAL/DROP POLICY

It is the ultimate responsibility of the student to formally drop a class. You should not rely on the instructor to drop you from a class for non-attendance. You may drop by telephone using the STAR system (223-0300) or by completing the proper forms in the Office of Admissions and Records.

COLLEGE HONESTY POLICY

Students are expected to write their own papers and to not copy from another student or author or from the internet. This copying is called plagiarism.  Consequences of plagiarism may be reduction of a grade, suspension from the class, course failure, or expulsion from the College. Plagiarism is a particularly serious offense in the world of journalism; it has ended careers.

DISABLED STUDENTS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

The Disabled Students Program and Services (DSP&S) at San Jose City College is designed to help students with disabilities to achieve success by providing specialized assessment instructional programs and support services. The DSP&S Office is located in the new student center.

STUDENT DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES and COMPLAINT/GRIEVANCE POLICY (see student handbook)

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS and MATERIALS

All materials are provided and are covered by the $10 materials fee that you must pay upon registration. Students do not need to purchase any materials on their own. If a student does purchase any supplies necessary for the fulfillment of your TIMES staff duties, you will be reimbursed upon presentation of a receipt to the adviser. Purchases of more than $20 should get adviser approval first. 

RECOMMENDED TEXTS/HANDBOOKS

The Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White, Longman, 2000, ISBN 0-205-30902-X

Woe is I, Patricia O’Connor, Riverhead Books, 2003, ISBN 1-57322-252-6

 (These books are NOT required, and there are copies in the newsroom that are meant to remain in the newsroom. They are not to be checked out, or to leave the building, but to be used while students are in the newsroom. These two books are good references for nearly everything you will encounter in this class.)