Mar 28, 2024  
2020 - 2021 Cowley College Academic Catalog 
    
2020 - 2021 Cowley College Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

MCM 2460 - NEWS MEDIA PRACTICUM 1 COURSE PROCEDURE


MCM2460 NEWS MEDIA PRACTICUM 1

2 Credit Hours

Student Level:

This course is open to students on the college level in either the Freshman or Sophomore year.

Catalog Description:

MCM2460 - News Media Practicum 1 (2 hrs.)

Class members serve on the staff of Cowley College Media (CCM), The Cowley Press, Newscast, pod/vodcasts, website and social media.  The course is based on individual student needs in journalism/broadcast/sports media. Class includes sessions on news writing, editing, design, videography, and photography. A maximum of eight credit hours may be earned in these courses, two hours for each semester the student is enrolled.

Course Classification:

Practicum

Prerequisites:

None

Controlling Purpose:

A global understanding of the news production process is essential to mass communication, journalism and other media-based majors. This course will emphasize the methodology of various types of media, specifically newspaper, radio, television, webcasting and the production of student news.

Learner Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

  • develop an overall perspective of the production of news and the effect on the public.
  • gain knowledge about the resources and tools available to media workers and how these are used to communicate
  • identify personal and professional skills required to function in a communication media-related field
  • evaluate theories and practices acquired in the classroom and the application in the practicum
  • describe the duties and responsibilities assigned during the practicum

Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:

The following outline defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period.  Instructors may add other material as time allows.

Unit 1:  Deadlines

Outcomes:   Student will demonstrate an ability to consistently meet deadlines in all phases of production.

  • Complete story packages on time to include photos, designs, storyboards, graphics and advertisements.
  • Complete rough and final drafts of each aspect of the product.
  • Meet interviewee time constraints and know when to switch interview modes for timeliness.

Unit 2:  Story Content/Organization

Outcomes:  Student will demonstrate the ability to organize each story based on solid research, paying particular attention to the lead/hook/intro, the body/transition/handoffs and the conclusion/outro.

  • Develop a balanced package including quotes/sources from all sides of an issue.
  • Develop an organized package including smooth transitions.
  • Develop a story that is factual in nature.
  • Develop a story using the Five Ws and H
  • Develop a story using all types of leads/intros.

Unit 3:  Associated Press/Cowley Press Style/Broadcast News and Writing Stylebook

Outcomes:  Student will demonstrate the ability to dig for information, make sound observations, use background research, cultivate sources, and utilize pre-interviewing and interviewing principles.

  • Utilize style when completing packages.
  • Utilize correct style in writing copy/article/script.
  • Utilize correct style in design and production.

Unit 4:  Layout Design and Storyboard

Outcomes: Student will demonstrate the ability to lay out and design pages for The Cowley Press using modular layout and put together the storyboard for broadcasting.

  • Layout and design pages in modular format (attractive squares and rectangles) using appropriate software for print and web.
  • Develop attractive pages using a dominant piece of artwork with InDesign.
  • Effectively use style sheets in order to make the designs easier to read and more consistent.

Unit 5:  Photography/Videography

Outcomes:  Student will demonstrate the ability to take clear, focused pictures, develop the film and print from the negatives.

  • Effectively use a digital camera to take clear, in-focus pictures and video for the newspaper and broadcast.
  • Prepare digital pictures for publication using Photoshop.
  • Prepare video for broadcast using Final Cut Pro.

Projects Required:

Participation on the Cowley College Media staff.

Textbook:

Contact the bookstore for current textbook.

Attendance Policy: 

Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Grading Policy:

The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Maximum class size:

Based on classroom occupancy

Course Time Frame:

The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.

Refer to the following policies:

402.00 Academic Code of Conduct

263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades

403.00 Student Code of Conduct

Disability Services Program:

Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability. If a student has a disability which may impact work in this class which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.

DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.