DaveStanton.us

About the Course

This is a course in which you will have a chance to apply the journalism skills you have learned in other classes and pick up some new skills related to online news production.

We will produce for The Gainesville Sun a publication called Newszine. Your work will involve selecting and editing stories, photos and multimedia content via a content management system. Newszine is a dynamic news publication intended to represent typical systems used in newsrooms throughout the world.

You will learn how to use online resources to post existing stories and create packages with additional content, multimedia and context. We will cover some advanced CSS and dynamic site planning topics. Students are required to have previous XHTML and CSS experience. The basics will not be taught in this class. A heavy emphasis is placed on video capture, editing and delivery.

Course and University Policies

Description

This course examines the technologies and methods for online news production in the United States and around the world through the use of an applied newsroom. Let's make one thing clear from the outset: This is not an "easy" course. I expect a lot from my students; that's how you learn. It is likely this class will consume more of your time than you anticipate.

Objectives

1. Demonstrate skills in a critical, decision-making role in a newsroom.
2. Understand the process of working within a content management system (CMS).
3. Better understand a variety of skills including audio, photo, and video capturing and editing.
4. Develop self-learning strategies to help with continuing education.

Attendance and Attitude

Students are expected to show respect for one another and for the instructor. Attendance and punctuality are essential. Any absence without prior clearance or medical proof will result in a 5-point reduction of a student’s final grade. This policy in non-negotiable. Quizzes will be administered at the beginning of the class periods. You cannot make quizzes up if you are late or absent. All attendance and grading questions will be answered during the instructor’s office hours. Do not bring these topics up during class or via e-mail. The instructor will not respond.

Deadlines

Late assignments will not be accepted. Assignments will only be accepted at the beginning of the class periods unless otherwise requested by the instructor. As with attendance, advance notice and documentation of illness or personal emergency is the only exception to the deadline policy.

Academic Honesty

Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Cheating hurts you, hurts our college and hurts the industry. Any dishonesty will be reported to Student Judicial Affairs, and the student will receive a failing grade for the course. The university’s Academic Honesty Guidelines provide additional details. You are expected to know and understand these guidelines completely. You are encouraged to ask the instructor for clarification if you are in doubt.

Students with Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations will be made for any students with disabilities. If you have a disability, the Dean of Students Office will give you official documentation. You must provide this to the instructor. More information is available at the Dean of Students Office’s Disability Resources page.

Book Requirements

Weekly reading assignments are indicated in the Schedule

Required Books

Weynand, D. (2007). Final Cut Pro 6: Professional Editing in Final Cut Studio 2. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press. ISBN: 0-321-50265-5

Associated Press Stylebook. 2006 or later.

Grading Criteria

For descriptions of the assignments, see Required Work

Total: 100 points

Assignments

5 points — Weekly quizzes
10 points — Final Cut Pro lessons
10 points — Google SketchUp lessons
30 points — Newszine shift work
25 points — Editor-in-chief
20 points — Group project fixes

Grading Scale

90 – 100 : A
88 – 89 : B+
80 – 87 : B
78 – 79 : C+
70 – 77 : C
68 – 69 : D+
60 – 67 : D
Less than 60 : F

Course Schedule

Key Dates

Jan. 6 — Classes start
Jan. 12 — Drop/Add ends
April 22 — Classes end

UF Holidays

March 7–14 — Spring Break

Weekly Schedule

• Week 1 | Jan. 7

• Week 2 | Jan. 14
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 1

• Week 3 | Jan. 21
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 2
• Quiz: ABC

• Week 4 | Jan. 28
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 3
• Google SketchUp training: Level 1
• Quiz: DEF

• Week 5 | Feb. 4
• Editor: TBD
• Google SketchUp training: Level 2
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 4
• Quiz: GHI
• Quiz: JKL

• Week 6 | Feb. 11
• Due: Google SketchUp training
• Editor: TBD
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 5
• Quiz: MNO

• Week 7 | Feb. 18
• Editor: TBD
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 6
• Quiz: PQR

• Week 8 | Feb. 25
• Editor: TBD
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 7
• Quiz: STU

• Week 9 | Mar. 4
• Editor: TBD
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 8
• Quiz: VWXYZ

• Week 10 | Mar. 11
• Spring Break (no classes)

• Week 11 | Mar. 18
• Editor: TBD
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 9
• Quiz: Business

• Week 12 | Mar. 25
• Editor: TBD
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 10
• Quiz: Sports

• Week 13 | April 1
• Editor: TBD
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 11

• Week 14 | April 8
• Editor: TBD
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 12

• Week 15 | April 15
• Editor: TBD
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 13

• Week 16 | April 22
• Final Cut Pro: Lesson 14

• Finals | April 29
• Due: Group project fixes
• Due: Final Cut Pro lesson files

Required Work

5 points — Weekly quizzes
10 points — Final Cut Pro lessons
10 points — Google SketchUp lessons
30 points — Newszine shift work
25 points — Editor-in-chief
20 points — Group project fixes

Weekly quizzes

The weekly quizzes are intended to test your AP Stylebook knowledge and ability to edit copy. A question or two may also come from assigned readings. An extra credit question related to current news may be added at the discretion of the instructor. No late or make-up quizzes will be given. The lowest two scores will be dropped.

Final Cut Pro exercises

You will complete assigned book exercises for Final Cut Pro 6. Exercises will be collected together. I want to see you understand concepts and how to utilize tools to create a quality edit.

Google SketchUp lessons

You will use Google SketchUp to create three-dimensional models based on training videos.

Newszine shift work

Students will produce content for Newszine throughout the semester. This work will include creating and editing text, photos, videos, slideshows and more. The Editor-in-chief for the week will assign points to students based on effort and quality of work. The final score will be based on a student's aggregated point total.

Editor-in-chief

Each student will serve as Editor-in-chief for one week. The EIC is responsible for preparation, budget meeting, newsroom management, project execution and quality control.

Group project fixes

Each group will have two weeks to polish/update weekly projects. Students may choose how to assign responsibilities. Grades will be based on the portfolio of projects as compared between groups.