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Editing for Print and Digital AudiencesJOUR 3155Spring Semester 2012 (3 credits)Prerequisites: Major status, JOUR 3004W & JOUR 3101Murphy Hall Computer Lab (basement floor)Class time and place: Monday & Wednesday, 2:304:25 p.m.

Instructor: Sarah McKenzieOffice hours: by appointmentEmail: mcke0141@umn.edu (e-mail is my preferred mode of contact outside class andoffice hours)Class blog: jour3155spring2012.wordpress.com

COURSE DESCRIPTIONIn this age of media convergence, it is incredibly important to keep in mind the growingduties of editors to make ethical, stylistic, grammar and design decisions across anumber of media platforms. It is no longer good enough to understand how to write aheadline that works on the front page of a newspaper; you must also learn to write a

headline that fits on a computer screen, and increasingly, a cell phone. Editors mustknow how to lead editorial teams working in a multi-platform environment not onlyassigning and placing stories on a page or screen but also deciding the best ways for theirreporters to tell those stories. This course is taught entirely in a computer lab, but thefirst part of most classes will be devoted to lecture and discussion, and the second part

will be devoted to working on individual or group projects. There will be occasional guestspeakers, too, to provide insights on relevant topics.

COURSE SKILLS AND OBJECTIVES:Ethical decision-making skills, like word choice and photo choice and placement, andreading for fair and balanced reporting or legal issuesCopy editing (correcting grammar and spelling errors, fixing sentence structure,

removing unnecessary words, looking for style issues, etc.) and headline writingMastering Associated Press (AP) styleEditing for content, structure and readabilityEditing for design, space and visual appeal in print and digital media using InDesign,Dreamweaver and other applicationsEstablishing leadership skills that would be necessary to edit a section or a publication inthe current media marketplace.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKSThe following two texts are required and will be available in the University Bookstore: The 2010 AP Stylebook (older editions exist, but I would prefer you get this one) The Art of Editing in the Age of Convergence (Ninth Edition, Pearson) by Brian S.Brooks and James L. Pinson

Also, you must have access to WebVista for this class. I use it to post announcements,documents and quizzes.

SUGGESTED SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS: The Chicago Manual of Style (We will be following AP style, but you may want to

become familiar with this alternate set of rules followed by many publications, includingmost magazines.) The Elements of Style by William Jr. Strunk and EB White. The king of all style books.

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A must-have for writer geeks. A subscription to Lynda.com. I will be giving you basic tutorial hand-outs and lessonsfor the software we will be using in the class, but if youre really serious about learningand using the programs, then consider one of the subscriptions to the site because itgives excellent, indepth and up-to-date tutorials on every software package you canimagine, including Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign Photoshop, and QuarkXPress

GENERAL STANDARDSDeadlines: Because deadlines are critical in journalism, all assignments handed in late

will receive an F. Late is later than the beginning of class on the due date. If a trueemergency prevents you from finishing an assignment, I expect adequate documentationand advance warning whenever possible. Each assignment is different, and often, I will

want the assignments in various forms (digital, paper). I will specify this in advance ofthe due date. Please listen.

Basic writing skills: We will be working on basic skills, but theres a differencebetween recognizing mistakes in other peoples writing and making them in your own. IfI notice that you have a particular problem in your own writing with grammar,

punctuation or spelling, I will point it out to you in a general way and refer you to theWriting Center for individual tutoring. If I see no improvement in the skills in question, Iwill begin marking down your work.

Please note that my evaluation of accuracy in your work includes spelling especially ofnames of people, places, businesses, government agencies and other entities.

Attendance: Attendance for this class is required. If you miss a lab or a quiz, you willnot be able to make up for the missed points. (You also will be docked for participation.)However, some absences are excused particularly serious illness or a death in thefamily as long as you can provide appropriate documentation; missing class for workis not excused. It is helpful if you can email me in advance if you will miss class.

Rules for the classroom and lab: Phones should be switched to off (not silent, and texting is not allowed). If you are caught doing work other than school work on the computers while lecture ordiscussion is taking place for example, checking e-mail, reading, updating yourFacebook page you will be asked to leave the classroom. Its best to just turn off thecomputer or monitor during these times. Food and drink are not allowed in the lab. The lab can be noisy and it might require your utmost attention just to follow along

some days. Please let me know if you cant hear me or your other classmates. Be courteous to your classmates and professor. If you have questions during class,please feel free to ask. If you are having difficulty with the work, please make anappointment or come to my office hours to talk about solutions.

HOW THE CLASS WORKSThe first part of each class will be spent in a lecture/discussion format where you will beexpected to participate and contribute to the discussion. We will primarily discuss theassigned reading and other issues pertaining to that weeks topic at this time. The secondpart of the class is labeled a Lab. In some cases, you will be working with a team tocritique or create a particular media product or participate in an exercise that is similarto what you might encounter in a professional media organization. In other cases, you

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will be working alone to take an online editing quiz, edit copy or practice other editingskills, or using an application or software package to work on that days assignment.

You will be given 5 points for each lab session that you complete and your work will notbe officially graded but rather, I will give you immediate, in-class feedback on it. In somecases, you will be responsible for handing in an assignment. On these days, you receive 5

points for being in the lab and you will be given a grade for the assignment you hand inafter you hand it in.

ASSIGNMENTS AND VALUEEach of the assignments will be explained and discussed during class prior to the duedate and will be posted to WebVista in further detail. Because of the nature of most ofthe assignments and how they build upon your new knowledge of a subject, you will begiven only a couple of days to work on them. (This is not the case with the largerassignments toward the end of the semester.)

Below are the values:Lab Completion Points (24 labs x 5 points): 120

Headline assignment: 25Social media/blog assignment: 75Print front-page assignment (InDesign): 25Test over book/lecture material: 50Ethics quiz: 25Final paper: 80

TOTAL: 400There is no extra credit available for this class.

WEBVISTA: Be sure that you have access to WebVista for any announcements orassignments that are posted there. Also, most of your quizzes will be taken on WebVista

in the computer lab.

Workload PolicyFor undergraduate courses, one credit is defined as equivalent to an average of threehours of learning effort per week (over a full semester) necessary for an average studentto achieve an average grade in the course. For example, a student taking a three creditcourse that meets for three hours a week should expect to spend an additional six hours a

week on coursework outside the classroom.

GradesRegistration in this course is by A-F only.

A Achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet courserequirements.B Achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet courserequirements.C Achievement that meets course requirements in every respect.D Achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the courserequirements.F Represents failure and signifies that the work was either completed but at a level ofachievement that is not worthy of credit or was not completed.

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I (Incomplete) assigned at the discretion of the instructor. An incomplete grade will beconsidered only when documented, extraordinary circumstances beyond control, orability to anticipate, prohibit timely completion of the course requirements. Incompletegrades are rare. Requires a written agreement between instructor and student.

Course Grade Changes

Questions about course grade changes should be directed to your instructor; or you maycontact the Student Conflict Resolution Center at 612-624-7272 for assistance. Gradechanges will be made only when there is evidence of an error in grading and/orrecording of a grade.

General Expectations and Extra CreditStudents are responsible for all information disseminated in class and all courserequirements, including deadlines and examinations. The instructor will specify whetherclass attendance is required or counted in the grade for a class. A student is notpermitted to submit extra work in an attempt to raise his or her grade unless theinstructor has specified at the outset of the class such opportunities will be afforded to allstudents.

Extra credit opportunities will be offered only as part of the School of Journalism andMass Communication research subjects pool project. More information about this will

be forthcoming if/when relevant

Sale of NotesLectures given in this class are the property of the instructor. They may not be recorded

without prior permission from the instructor. They may not be used for any commercialpurpose. This includes the sale of notes to a retail distributor who reproduces them forresale to other students. Students found to be in violation of this policy may be subject todiscipline under University policies.

Scholastic Misconduct DefinitionScholastic misconduct is broadly defined as any act that violates the rights of anotherstudent in academic work or that involves misrepresentation of your own work.Scholastic dishonesty includes, (but is not necessarily limited to): cheating onassignments or examinations; plagiarizing, which means misrepresenting as your own

work any part of work done by another; submitting the same paper, or substantiallysimilar papers, to meet the requirements of more than one course without the approvaland consent of all instructors concerned; depriving another student of necessary coursematerials; or interfering with another students work. Proven scholastic misconduct

will result in a course grade of F.

Disabilities

Students with disabilities that affect their ability to participate fully in class or to meet allcourse requirements are encouraged to bring this to the attention of the instructor sothat appropriate accommodations can be arranged. Further information is availablefrom Disability Services (180 McNamara Alumni Center). Note: Students with specialneeds may receive this syllabus and other course materials in alternative formats uponrequest. Contact the SJMC Student Services Center for more information, 612-625-0120.

Sexual Harassment

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University policy prohibits sexual harassment as defined in the 12/11/98 policystatement. Copies of the 12/11/98 policy statement on sexual harassment are availableat 419 Morrill Hall or online. Complaints about sexual harassment should be reported tothe University Office of Equal Opportunity at 419 Morrill Hall.

Excused Absences

Students will not be penalized for absence during the semester due to unavoidable orlegitimate circumstances. Such circumstances include illness of the student or his or herdependent, participation in intercollegiate athletic events (see the Administrative Policy:Intercollegiate Athletic Events during Study Day and Finals Weeks: Twin Cities, whichprohibits intercollegiate athletic competition during study day and finals week exceptunder certain circumstances), subpoenas, jury duty, military service, bereavement, andreligious observances. Such circumstances also include activities sponsored by theUniversity if identified by the senior academic officer for the campus or his or herdesignee as the basis for excused absences. The instructor has the right to request

verification for absences. Such circumstances do not include voting in local, state, ornational elections.

According to theAccrediting Council on Education in Journalism and MassCommunication, all journalism and mass communication graduates, irrespective oftheir particular specialization, should be able to: understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, for thecountry in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receiveinstruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the

world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble andpetition for redress of grievances; demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutionsin shaping communications; demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, asappropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass

communications; demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of thesignificance and impact of mass communications in a global society; understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images andinformation; demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically inpursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity; think critically, creatively and independently; conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to thecommunications professions in which they work; write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communicationsprofessions, audiences and purposes they serve; critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity,appropriate style and grammatical correctness; apply basic numerical and statistical concepts; apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in whichthey work.

About the instructor:Sarah McKenzie has served as editor of the Journals in Minneapolis (Southwest Journaland Journal for northeast and downtown) for the past six years. She also serves on the

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http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/humanresources/SexHarassment.htmlhttp://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/humanresources/SexHarassment.htmlhttp://www.policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/ATHLETICSTUDY.htmlhttp://www.policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/ATHLETICSTUDY.htmlhttp://www.policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/ATHLETICSTUDY.htmlhttp://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/humanresources/SexHarassment.html

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board of directors for the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists. Before workingfor the Journals, she was a reporter for The Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal andthe Journal Inquirer in Manchester, Conn. She has also interned for the Duluth NewsTribune, Star Tribune and Pioneer Press. Shes a 2001 graduate of the School ofJournalism and Mass Communication. While an undergraduate, she worked for TheMinnesota Daily, serving as managing editor her senior year.

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SCHEDULE OF READINGS, DISCUSSIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

The Editor in 2012

Wednesday, Jan. 18: Introduction, run through the rules and syllabus

Lab: Getting familiar with your computers + editing activities

Monday, Jan. 23: Read and discuss Chapter One (Editing for Todays ChangingMedia)Lab: Work in teams to find stories online that demonstrate the news values on p. 7

Considering the Audience and the Industry

Wednesday, Jan. 25: Read and discuss Chapter 2 (The Editor and the Audience)Lab: Be the editor case activity

Monday, Jan. 30: Preliminary AP and Grammar Pre-Quiz (Bring your AP style book

for this one) This grade will not be recorded, but this does count as todays lab, so youget 5 points for completing it.

Editing Copy and Good Copy Editors

Wednesday, Feb. 1: Discuss results of quizLab: Line editing

Monday, Feb. 6: Read and discuss Chapter 3 (The Editing Process)Lab: Line editing and beyond

Editing for the Big Picture

Wednesday, Feb. 8: Read and discuss Chapter Four (Macro-Editing)Lab: Team exercise on story budget and placement

Monday, Feb. 13: Additional discussion of macro-editing & other activities

Precision in Language: Details!

Wednesday, Feb. 15: Read and discuss Chapter 6 (Micro-Editing)Lab: Working in pairs to edit each other.

Monday, Feb. 20: AP and Grammar Pre-Quiz, Second Try (Bring your AP style bookagain) The grade will not be recorded yet. This does count as your lab.

Law and Ethics in Editing

Wednesday, Feb. 22: Read and discuss Chapter 5 (Micro-Editing for Legality andEthics)Lab: Team exercise on story choice and presentation

Monday, Feb. 27: Discussion of Chapter 5, continued

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Lab: Individual exercise on law and ethics

Working Across Platforms

Wednesday, Feb. 29: Read and Discuss Chapter 7 (Holistic Editing)Lab: Team work on breaking news assigning in multimedia

Monday, March 5: Read and discuss Chapters 10 (Editing Newspapers) and 11(Editing Magazines, Newsletters)Lab: Quick quiz over editing newspapers vs. magazines vs. newsletters

Headlines, Titles, Captions, Blurbs for Old and New Media

Wednesday, March 7: Read and discuss Chapter 8 Headline assignment due atend of class.Lab: Headline assignment. Due Monday, March 19.

** Spring Break, March 1216 Introduction to Visual Aspects of Editing

Monday, March 19: Photographs, layout and infographicsIntroduction to InDesignLab: Individual work using InDesign (start assignment)

Wednesday, March 21: Written test over material to date (over the major conceptsand the reading, but not a grammar/AP test)Lab: Work on your InDesign front page. Assignment due at end of class.

Editing for the Internet, Mobile, iPad, Etc.

Monday, March 26: Read and discuss Chapter 12 (Editing for the Web) + discussionof final paper assignment + social media assignmentLab: Get started on social media assignment

Wednesday, March 28: Continued discussion on social media

Editing for the Internet and Mobile, iPad, continuedMonday, April 2: Reading TBA on editing/design concerns with mobile and iPad

Wednesday, April 6: More on digital, mobile applications

Imaginative and Insightful Editing

Monday, April 9: Tips on idea generationFinal Quiz on AP/Grammar no stylebooks allowed today. Grade will be recorded. Thisdoes count as a lab.

Wednesday, April 11: More on brainstorming

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Ethical Editing Practices

Monday, April 16 Ethics discussionLab: Editing activity

Wednesday, April 18: Ethics discussion continued

Lab: Ethics quiz

The Editor as Coach, Leader, Manager, Superstar

Monday, April 23: Discussion on leadership

Wednesday, April 24: Leadership continued

Final Week

Monday, April 30: Review session

Wednesday, May 2: Last day

** Final paper due Monday, May 7 at noon. Please e-mail to Sarah McKenzie atsmckenzie@mnpubs.com.

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