JIM BRONSKILL, THE CANADIAN PRESS DAVID MCKIE, CBC NEWS JOUR 5206: Reporting Methods

COURSE SYLLABUS

JOUR 5206: GOALS 1) Obtain a thorough grounding in journalistic research methods. 2) Acquire skills, such as computer-assisted or data- journalism reporting techniques, needed to make sense of the information gathered. 3) Develop the ability to shape the information into accurate and compelling stories. In short: become a critical thinker

TEXTBOOK

OPTIONAL TEXTBOOK

READINGS * Assigned readings are listed on the syllabus for relevant weeks * With the obvious exception of this week, please read chapters before class to help prepare

ASSIGNMENTS * Four assignments, each worth 20 per cent of overall grade * Stories involving business, access-to-information records, an event from the past, databases * Final 20 per cent of grade based on presence, punctuality, participation, professionalism

ELEMENTS OF EVALUATION Each assignment has three components, all of which will figure in the grade: A. Copies of the actual records (documents, data, etc.) compiled / gathered B. A description of how the records were obtained, and why they were useful C. The resulting story Please use Canadian Press style

THE “GOOD STORY” TEST * If your story reads easily, chances are it is A-level work * If we must read your story two or three times to make sense of it, chances are it is B- or C-level work at best * Tip: have a friend read your story to gauge flow and readability, and to see if there are obvious holes

TIME MANAGEMENT * We are giving you as much time as the short term will allow to complete your stories * However, in order to succeed in this course, you must work progressively at each story, sometimes tending to two or even three in the same week * This is good practice for the newsroom, where work on different stories often overlaps

LEDES / DRAFTS * We want to see a proposed lede (one or two opening sentences) of each story early in the process to ensure you have a viable idea * We also require drafts of your stories. See the syllabus for due dates. * Ledes / drafts will not be evaluated in detail but we will provide general guidance and direction

WHAT WE EXPECT * Think of class as news meeting * Regular attendance * Inform us in advance if cannot attend * Punctuality * Participation * Breaks only during break time * No cell phones or ing in class * Please help us learn your names

CONTACTING US * Contact information on syllabus: click on our names * is best * Please avoid contacting us late in the afternoon on weekdays * Phone calls / meetings: by appointment

S * Please use your Carleton account for all correspondence with us. It is a school rule. * cc: the other instructor * Please acknowledge our replies to your questions and comments. It lets us know you received our message.

APPRENTICESHIPS * No more than one week of class time * If two weeks, one week must be a break week * Please inform us in advance

ICEBERG THEORY OF JOURNALISM