Communication

Communication

Journalism I Grades 9-12 | Course 1402 | 1 Credit

In this intensive writing course, students learn the fundamentals of journalism from First Amendment issues to desktop publishing and everything in between. This course reviews the history of mass print media as well as its contemporary role in the United States. Students will analyze and compose journalistic writing, learning all materials necessary for future newspaper and yearbook production. During the second semester, students may apply to be reporters on the next year’s newspaper and/or yearbook staffs.

Photo Journalism Grades 9-12 | Course 1435 | 1 Credit

Prerequisite: • Instructor Approval

Requirements: • $5 - $30 supply fee per semester

• Must have access to 35mm or digital SLR camera

This course explores photography for journalistic purposes, illustrating news events with appropriate photos and captions. Students will learn to operate their camera, demonstrate knowledge of ISO, aperture, depth of field, photo composition, cropping and layout. They will process film, print photos and understand printing chemistry and operation of darkroom equipment. During the second semester, students may apply to become staff photographers for McNeil publications.

Journalism: Yearbook Production I-III Grades 10-12 | Courses 1422-1427 | 1 Credit

Prerequisites: • Journalism experience (successful completion of Journalism I or Photo Journalism) and instructor approval

Staff members plan, sell, design and produce the Maverick yearbook. The staff consists of reporters, who create stories and headlines; photographers, who cover academics, sports, organizations and student life for the yearbook and newspaper, as well as writing captions for their photos; and the editorial board, which organizes and oversees production. As this is a production class, grading is based on meeting deadlines and work produced. After completion, the yearbook is distributed in May. Staff members may earn their Technology Application credit by enrolling in Desktop Publishing: Yearbook (course 3935).

Journalism: Newspaper Production I-III Grades 10-12 | Courses 1412-1417 | 1 Credit

Prerequisites: • Journalism experience (successful completion of Journalism I) and instructor approval

Staff members plan, design and produce the official school newspaper, the Traiblazer. The staff consists of reporters, who create stories, headlines and captions; and the editorial board, which organizes and oversees production. Each staff member is required to sell advertising and subscriptions. As this is a production class, grading is based on meeting deadlines and work produced. A total of eight newspapers are completed and distributed throughout the school year. Staff members may earn their Technology Application by enrolling in Desktop Publishing: Newspaper (course 3936).

30 Real Skills for the real world. One publications class.

Newspaper and yearbook production classes provide students with a unique combination of skills and training. Studies show that students involved in publications in high school score higher on the SAT/ACT, are accepted to more colleges, and perform better in college than those not on staff.

Life Skills:

§ Communication

§ Leadership skills

§ Time management

§ Project management

§ Problem solving

§ Writing

§ Photography

§ Team building

§ Conflict resolution

§ Public speaking

Journalism Skills:

§ Concept brainstorming

§ Reporting

§ Researching

§ Editing

§ Photo editing

§ Graphic arts

§ Public relations

§ Media law

§ Design & layout

Business Skills:

§ Budget planning

§ Promotion & advertising

§ Marketing

§ Sales

§ Customer relations

§ Market research

Technology Skills:

§ Business software applications

§ Desktop publishing

§ Photo-editing software

§ Online design