University of New Brunswick, Saint John
University of New Brunswick, Saint John
Information & Communication Studies
ICS 3004 - Media Production I - FALL 2012
Instructor: Dr. June M. Madeley
Office: HH 311 Phone 648-5521
e-mail: jmadeley@unbjs.ca
office hours: Fridays 1:30 to 2:30pm
Course Description
Introduction to production and scripting techniques for Radio and Print. Students will explore aspects of production through individual and group projects as well as in class presentations. A strong writing component is required. Prerequisite: ICS 2001.
Purpose and Objectives
The course is designed to provide opportunities for students to gain practical skills and knowledge of how to write for print and web news outlets and how to produce audio content for radio and/or podcasting.
Format of the Course
The basic approach we will take to different aspects of print/web and audio non-fiction production will be threefold: study, attempt, and critique. We will look at models of various styles of writing (from print and web sources) and study various audio products (from radio and podcasts). Students will produce their own work in the various styles and models we have studied. Often this work will be produced or begun during class time. Students will share their work with classmates and provide feedback on drafted work of other students. These critiques should be used to improve individual portfolios and group work that is submitted at the end of term.
Course reading material
This class does not have a textbook or reading materials that you are required to buy. There are some assigned readings indicated below that will be available online. Please see course Desire2Learn site for full bibliography and information on reading material. Announcements will be made when reading is required for class participation on the assigned topic. Most of the readings provide background to the topics or useful guides for assignments.
Students are expected to regularly read (hard copy or online) the Telegraph Journal, a paper from another city, or a national newspaper. There is free online access to Canadian newspapers via the Library e-resources and many news outlets provide free access with some limitations. Students are also expected to regularly listen to radio programming or podcasting of their choice (about 1-2 hours per week is suggested). We will regularly engage in class discussion of such content.
Homework Assignments
Throughout the term we will begin assignments during class and sometimes students will be assigned homework in preparation for the following class. Such homework will be essential to the learning objectives on the assigned day and will form part of the student's portfolio.
Schedule
Sept 12th - Introduction
Sept 19th - News values and types of content: filters and objectivity
Reading: The Missing News Ch 1
Sept 26th - Organization of news writing
Readings: Writing for Print and Digital Media Ch 6
excerpts from Creative Web Writing
Oct 3rd - Sources and research
Reading: Writing for Print and Digital Media Ch 7
Oct 10th - Research and interviewing
Reading: Writing for Print and Digital Media Ch 10
Oct 17th - Sound recording and audio editing techniques
Reading: excerpts from Digital Radio Production and
Excerpts from Podcasting: The Do-It-Yourself Guide
Homework to date and analysis of print/web news must be posted for grading by Oct 25th
Oct 24th - Audio editing
Reading:
- how to podcast tutorial with useful resources
Oct 31st - Layout and design basics – guest speaker Jud Crandall
NOTE: Over the following weeks we will have guest speakers from print, radio and broadcast journalism and a tour of CBC studios which will be scheduled later in the term. The rest of our scheduled time will be used for individual work, collaboration with fellow-students & consultation with the instructor on the portfolios and group projects
Nov 7th - guest speaker or tour & possibly free time in lab
Nov 14th - guest speaker or tour & possibly free time in lab
Nov 21st - guest speaker or tour & possibly free time in lab
Nov 28th – free lab time to work on projects
Dec 5th – Wrap up & Sharing of work in progress
Assignments are due by December 5th (Grace period possible until Dec 7th)
Evaluation
Individual portfolio – 40%
Mid-term evaluation of portfolio & analysis of print/web news 20%
Group project – 30%
Participation – 10 %
PARTICIPATION – 10 %
Grade will be based on the instructor’s overall impressions, which will take into account three things: 1) level of class attendance (how often was the student present in class?), 2) quantity of contribution to class discussions (how often did the student offer relevant comments?), 3) quality of contribution to class discussions (did the comments made by the student reveal knowledge of and engagement with the course content and readings?). Class participation will usually feed into portfolio content.
INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO - 40%
These portfolios will be based upon work throughout the term, much of which will be begun during class time. The length/size of the portfolio is largely a matter of the student's judgement. Where length of a component is noted there is no negotiation (eg. the news story or the individual podcast). Portfolios will be produced using a free online blogging service (wordpress). Each student’s blog must be open to all other students in the course and the instructor. Students may also choose to have their blog open to any readers online. Any sources used for any component of the blog portfolio MUST BE PROPERLY CITED USING A RECOGNIZED CITATION FORMAT. Links to (or a hard copy submission) of relevant news items or web urls that are referred to within the portfolio are also required as part of the portfolio.
The portfolio will be graded based on: organization, completeness, evidence of engaging in writing/production as a process (based on the inclusion of drafts, revised entries and production notes), evidence of critical reflection and ability to apply course concepts and practical skills. Students will be asked to provide their own self-grade assessment for their portfolio work. The self-grade will be submitted to the instructor via e-mail rather than being posted on the blog. The self-grade will be considered in the final grade assessment. Final student work will not be graded unless a self-grade is submitted. Final portfolios must be posted by December 5th (Grace period possible until Dec 7th ) and any hard copy material must also be submitted by this date.
The final blog portfolio will include the following components:
1. news story or feature (500-750 words, all drafts and notes required as well)
2. opinion piece (500-750 words, all drafts and notes required)
3. copy of a letter to editor of the Telegraph-Journal (or another print/web news outlet) based on real story in the paper (or current issue of local relevance) and actually submitted to the newspaper - bonus marks if it gets published (include original item or a stable link to it if letter is in response to a previous story in the paper)
4. analysis/review of spoken word, non-fiction radio or podcast content over the course of the term – you might structure by comparing treatment of same topic by different sources, or discuss CRTC regulations such as CANCON and their impact on the content you reviewed
5. 2 minute podcast (ALL production notes required)
6. audio editing exercise (saved to same disk as your podcast)
7. your reflections on production of these pieces and the experience of producing them – consider any problems that arose and how you might have resolved them
8. self-grade assessment – include a letter grade & justification to be submitted via e-mail
• SUGGESTED OPTIONAL CONTENT
o analysis/review of blog(s)
o comparison of content in local paper to other papers or TV news
o reflections on issues such as ethics, objectivity, bias, media ownership concentration, democracy and media etc.
o analysis/review of coverage of a particular event or issue (NB election, war in Iraq, celebrity news etc).
o comparison of audio and print (production techniques or media)
MID-TERM EVALUATION OF PORTFOLIO – 20%
Students will post their analysis of print/web news media to their blog by October 25th. All homework assigned up to this date will also be graded as part of the mid-term assessment of your portfolio in progress. The criteria for the mid term assessment will be: quality of writing and organization, evidence of engaging in writing/production as a process, evidence of critical reflection and ability to apply course concepts.
The main required component to be posted to your blog for the mid-term assessment is an analysis of print and/or web news content (emphasis on news values and filters). Specific examples that are referred to should be properly cited (page, section, date). Students may want to structure this component as a comparison/contrast of content on similar issues or follow coverage of a particular issue from the beginning of term to the due date. Your analysis must be a minimum of the equivalent of 5 double-spaced typed pages. The posting of drafts and related musings for comments from fellow students is encouraged as you work to produce this mid-term material.
Students should feel free to include other optional content by the mid term deadline (see above for suggestions).
GROUP PROJECT - 30%
Students will work in groups of 2-4 people (group size is dependent upon the enrolment in the course) to complete a feature editorial or broadcast radio show as noted below.
The purpose of the group assignment is to provide an opportunity for students to collaborate on production. Either of the group project options will allow for students to further build upon their production skills in one of the main areas of production that are the focus of the course. It is up to the group to decide which option to pursue.
The group project will be graded based on: evidence of research and planning for the project, creativity, and overall production value of the finished product. ALL STUDENTS IN THE GROUP WILL RECEIVE THE SAME GRADE. There will be an opportunity to evaluate members of your group which may result in grade changes for individuals if deemed necessary by the instructor.
Group project options:
1. a feature editorial (topic to be negotiated among group members and in consultation with the instructor .
o should comprise about 1000-2500 words in total - could be short series of 2-3 stories).
o The group must submit the final version of the editorial(s) as well as drafts and research materials (including a bibliography of sources consulted) OR
2. a spoken word radio program to be broadcast on CFMH (outside of class time). Your show should be 1 hour in length and this can (and should) include some musical interludes between segments. The topic(s) and content are to be negotiated among group members and in consultation with the instructor. You must comply with the station’s broadcast standards which you will learn during our class tour of the campus radio station.
o The group must record the show and submit the audio file along with relevant files such as: production notes, scripts, research and planning materials, and bibliography of sources consulted.
o ALL GROUP MEMBERS MUST PARICIPATE IN PRODUCTION AND PLANNING BUT DO NOT ALL HAVE TO DO VOICEWORK ON THE AIR.
o In order to broadcast on CFMH group members will have to be familiar with the broadcast standards of CFMH (this will likely be part of our tour of the campus radio station during class time).
o Non-fiction content is preferred – news, opinion, discussion, debate, reviews (of movies, music, books etc.) or audio documentary of some other type
o All components of the group project are due by December 5th (Grace period possible until Dec 7th ). Your group will be notified of when your project will be broadcast on the air.
Submitting assignments
All components of the portfolio are to be posted to the blog created for the course. Any additional hard copy components for the portfolio, the group podcast audio file (on a disk or usb drive) and production materials, should be submitted during class time, to a designated Desire2Learn assignment folder or to the assignment drop box outside of Hazen Hall 201 by the due date specified above. The individual podcast should be submitted on a disk or usb drive along with your completed audio editing exercise. Students are responsible for keeping a copy of their original work. Ensure that your name is included with all submissions made including your e-mail self-grade submission.
Attendance and Participation
This is an intensive course where much of the practical learning will happen during class time. It is important to attend all classes and to come prepared. Students are responsible for catching up on any material missed due to absence from class.
Academic dishonesty
All Students at UNBSJ are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical manner in their academic work. Students should familiarize themselves with the regulations regarding academic offences and the sanctions that will be levied for such infractions as: plagiarism, copying from others during tests, utilizing unauthorized aids during an in-class test, and knowingly helping another engage in academically dishonest behaviour - See pg 43-44 of the Undergraduate Calendar or
Special needs and accommodation
Some students may have special needs that require some accommodation by the university. Students should self identify during the first 3 weeks of classes and make requests for necessary accommodation to the instructor well in advance of scheduled due dates. The University policy for special accommodation is available on-line at
Storm closure policy
Rarely, the Vice- President of UNBSJ will close the campus due to severe weather. In such cases a notice will go out via e-mail and will be posted to the web page. More often, the cancellation of classes is left up to the discretion of the instructor with the expectation that missed material will be made up over the course of the term.
Please consult the following web page in the event that you suspect class may be cancelled due to poor weather The instructor will inform students via this site first and will also post notice on the course Desire2Learn page in the even that class is cancelled. Please be safe, if your own commute is going to be affected by poor weather consider giving yourself more time to get to campus. In the event that you decide it is safer to stay home from class due to weather on a day when class is not cancelled you are responsible for getting caught up on what you missed. The instructor will take severe weather into account in the event that increased absence occurs on a poor weather day.
Grade Scale (see University Calendar)
A+ - 90 – 100% - 4.3
A - 85 –89% - 4.0 excellent performance
A- - 80 – 84% - 3.7
B+ - 77 - 79% - 3.3
B - 73 – 76 - 3.0 good performance
B- - 70 – 72% - 2.7
C+ - 65 – 69% - 2.3 satisfactory performance
C - 60 – 64% - 2.0
D - 50 – 59% - 1.0 less than satisfactory performance
F - 0 – 49% - 0.0 failure
Note: This outline is subject to change with notice and consultation.
NOTES:
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