Description: In journalism, the student explores and practices the fundamentals of various print and electronic media including newspapers, magazines, yearbooks, and radio/television/digital broadcasts. Areas of emphasis include: interviewing and reporting techniques, gathering and researching sources of information, history, and ethics, First Amendment rights and responsibilities, and media literacy. Special emphasis is placed on distinctive types of journalistic writing, style, and organization as compared to conventional English composition. The student writes, edits, and evaluates news, editorials, columns, features, sports, photo captions, advertising copy, and investigative reports with clear purpose, accuracy, and awareness of audience(s). The student also explores art, still and motion photography, film, editing, design, advertising, and current technology used to create effective media.
Description: In Creative Writing I, the student reads, analyzes, and discusses selected models of various American authors to gain a background for extensive original thought and writing. The student experiments with and creates working and showcase portfolios (traditional and/or electronic) representing the best work in various genres (e.g., short stories, one-act plays, poetry, fiction and nonfiction). As a part of the creative process, the student identifies and concentrates on individual needs for vocabulary development, spelling, sentence structure and revision, and prepares freelance work for submission to publishers. The student uses technology to support writing, research, and the procedures for submitting work for consideration to print and online literary magazines. Weekly writing assignments and a journal are required. The Literary Magazine provides an opportunity for students to work closely with creative students and to generate, edit, and produce a magazine of significant literary and artistic merit. Students should be prepared to devote time to the magazine both in and out of school.
Yearbook I
Prerequisite: None.
Description: In Yearbook I, the student applies journalistic skills introduced in Journalism/Mass Communications and participates in specialized areas depending on interests and staffing needs. The student gains experience with cooperative and group processes in areas of planning, decision-making, conflict resolution, team building, business management, elements of design and photography, desktop publishing, time management, and “deadlining” with guidance, coaching, and mentoring from more advanced student editors and supervision from the teacher/advisor. The student generates authentic work by producing a yearbook for the school and community.
Yearbook II
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of Yearbook II
Description: In Yearbook II, the student applies journalistic skills introduced in Journalism/Mass Communications and participates in specialized areas depending on interests and staffing needs. The student gains experience with cooperative and group processes in areas of planning, decision-making, conflict resolution, team building, business management, elements of design and photography, desktop publishing, time management, and “deadlining” with guidance, coaching, and mentoring from more advanced student editors and supervision from the teacher/advisor. The student generates authentic work by producing a yearbook for the school and community.
Yearbook III
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of Yearbook II.
Description: In Yearbook III, the student applies journalistic skills introduced in Journalism/Mass Communications and participates in specialized areas depending on interests and staffing needs. The student gains experience with cooperative and group processes in areas of planning, decision-making, conflict resolution, team building, business management, elements of design and photography, desktop publishing, time management, and “deadlining” with guidance, coaching, and mentoring from more advanced student editors and supervision from the teacher/advisor. The student generates authentic work by producing a yearbook for the school
In Newspaper I, the student applies entry-level journalistic skills introduced in Journalism/Mass Communications and participates in specialized areas depending on interests and staffing needs. The student gains experience with cooperative and group processes in areas of planning, decision-making, conflict resolution, team building, business management, elements of design and photography, desktop publishing, time management, and “deadlining” with guidance, coaching, and mentoring from more advanced student editors and supervision from the teacher/advisor. The student generates authentic work by producing a series of newspapers for the school and community.