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UMHS Journalism

1.0 Carnegie Unit 

Instructor: Mrs. Tabitha Dillard

Instructor Photo

I am Mrs. Tabitha Dillard, and I will be your online instructor for this course. In addition, I teach high school English at Ingomar Attendance Center in New Albany, MS, where I have been for 8 years. I have a total of 12 years teaching experience.

I have a Master of Education Degree in English from the University of Mississippi. I have been happily married for 17 years and have two children, Lindsey and Josh.

Contact me with any questions or concerns you might have at tcdilla1@olemiss.edu. I look forward to working with you.

Contact Information:

If you have questions concerning the content of the course, you may contact the instructor directly using the email link in the "Communications & Tools" tab. NOTE: Whenever sending an email, please be sure to indicate your Course title and number in the subject line (ie, AP Art History).

For lesson or test administration issues, please contact the HS department:

The University of Mississippi High School
P. O. Box 7959
University, MS 38677-0729

Phone: 662-915-1296
Fax: (662) 915-5138
E-mail: UMHS@olemiss.edu

Course Description:

In this course, youíll learn how to write a lead that grabs your readers, how to write engaging news stories and features, and how to interview sources. Youíll also learn about the history of journalism, how to succeed in the world of social media news, and how to turn your writing, photography, and people skills into an exciting and rewarding career.

Course Objectives:

Objectives include (but are not limited to):

  • Identify the major historical trends in American journalism from the end of the 19th century into the 21st.
  • Identify the roles of each genre of news media and its unique approach to communicating the news.
  • Examine how a few key examples crossed the line of journalistic ethics and see the consequences of those acts.
  • Examine the dynamic relationship among audience, subject, and author/speaker, and understand how to adapt to different audience needs.
  • Identify the types of advertising and advertisingís relationship to journalism.

Course Outline:

This course consists of 10 instructional modules (or units). NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page.

Units
LESSON Reading Assignments Due for Grades
Pacing Guide
to complete the course in one semester

Start Here

Syllabus and Orientation folder. NOTE: Once you complete the syllabus and orientation quiz, the rest of the lessons will become available to you. Syllabus quiz Week 1
0 0 Instructions and course information Introduce Yourself discussion board, Course pretest Week 1
1 1.1-1.6

Reading material 1.1-1.6 The History of American Journalism, podcast, reflect

Homework (Text Question, Lab Question, Activity), Quiz Week 2
2 2.1-2.5 Reading material 2.1-2.5 New Media Versus Old Media, podcast, reflect Homework (Text Question, Activity), Quiz Week 3
3 3.1-3.5 Reading material 3.1-3.5 Press Law & Journalistic Ethics, podcast, reflect Homework (Text Question, Lab Question, Activity), Quiz Week 4
4 4.1-4.6 Reading material 4.1-4.6 Understanding Rhetoric, Bias, & Point of View, podcast, reflect Homework (Text Question, Activity), Quiz Week 5
5 5.1-5.5 Reading material 5.1-5.5 Photojournalism, Social Media, & Advertising, podcast, reflect Homework (Text Question, Lab Question, Activity), Quiz Week 6
Midterm

Proctored exam covering units 1-5.

Be sure to complete all previous assignments before taking this exam. Any assignments not completed before the exam is taken may receive a grade of zero.

Proctored test Week 7
6 6.1-6.5 Reading material 6.1-6.5 How to Write Stellar News Stories, podcast, reflect Homework (Text Question, Activity), Quiz Week 8
7 7.1-7.5 Reading material 7.1-7.5 Researching Your Story Wisely & Well, podcast, reflect Homework (Text Question, Lab Question, Activity), Quiz Week 9
8 8.1-8.5 Reading material 8.1- 8.5 Using Personal & Observational Sources, podcast, reflect Homework (Text Question, Activity), Quiz Week 10
9 9.1-9.6 Reading material 9.1-9.6 Preparing Posts for Publication, podcast, reflect Homework (Text Question, Lab Question, Activity), Quiz Week 11
10 10.1-10.5 Reading material 10.1-10.5 Understanding the Publication Process, podcast, reflect Homework (Text Question, Activity), Quiz Week 12
Post-test, Exit Survey The 10-minute Post-test is in the Final Exam folder and must be completed before the final exam will appear. To be completed before scheduling your final exam. Week 13
Final Exam

Proctored comprehensive exam covering Units 6-10. Complete all previous assignments before taking this exam. Any assignments not completed before the exam is taken will receive a grade of zero.

Proctored test Week 13

Grading Scale:

93 - 100% = A
85 - 92% = B
75 - 84% = C
70 - 74% = D
Below 69% = F

The grading format is as follows:

Minor Grades (Quizzes, Lab Questions, Text Questions): 50%
Major Grades (Activities, Midterm Exam): 30%
Final Exam: 20%