NewsTeam Class

NewsTeam Boulder Syllabus
  
Spring 2016
 
(JRNL 4624/5624)

Time Management Skills A Must!!

• Set calendar deadlines in advance
• Story pitches need detail, development (give yourself 1-2 hours per story)
• Allow time for travel (add 1/2 hour minimum)
• Allow time in case things go wrong (1-2 hours per shoot - Murphy's Law!)
• Double your estimated edit time (if you think it will take 1 hour, make it 2)
• Communication is key. If something goes wrong with a story, contact us (both of us and your producer!)
• If you’re sick and can’t make it to class, contact us (both of us and your producer!)
• If you’re going to miss a deadline, talk with us for potential adjustments

 

About the teaching staff

Paul Daugherty

Paul Daugherty is an award-winning producer and founder of Doghouse Productions in Boulder. He has a master's degree in broadcast journalism from CU. He has over 20 years of television experience, the majority of which was during his tenure at Rocky Mountain PBS where he produced numerous documentaries and public affairs shows.  His specialty is producing nature and science documentaries and educational videos. Paul is the faculty adviser for the Emmy-winning student-produced video podcast series, CU Science Update. His original documentaries include Jump Steak, a “web-based doco” covering the issues and concerns surrounding the human consumption of kangaroos; the reality series Zoo Keeper Journal, (shot in Africa, Australia, and New Zealand); Space Class, an educational series for middle- and high-school use produced in conjunction with NASA partners; Project Pisces, a NASA/ University of Hawaii at Hilo collaboration to develop habitation structures on the moon; Urban Ark – The Story of the Denver Zoo; Emmy-winning Colorado.Now public affairs series and Rocky Mountain Legacy. Paul also worked as videographer/editor for Covering Columbine, a CU documentary produced by JMC Professor Meg Moritz.  He also worked with Meg, going to New Orleans one month after Hurricane Katrina to shoot footage for a show about trauma and journalism. Paul is a Colorado native, but has family in Wellington, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia. He has an adopted koala named Belvedere, who lives in Australia's Ballarat Wildlife Sanctuary just north of Melbourne.

Carol McKinley

Carol McKinley is a multi-media journalist who has been covering the West for thirty years. She is currently an ABC News National producer coming in to teach on the heels of reporting on the theater shooting trial of gunman James Holmes and the Gold King Mine spill in Durango, Colorado. She's worked as a network correspondent for Fox News Channel, Al Jazeera America, and HDNet covering issues from the Iraq War to the Timothy McVeigh appeal and execution, the JonBenet Ramsey case, Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. Marshall's Witness Protection Program, Western water wars and fundamentalist religions.  She and her husband have four grown children and live in the mountains west of Denver.  

Teaching Assistant

Additional Important Phone Numbers

 

CMCI Journalism Office                     303-492-5007

Studio Master Control                        303-735-2043

Editing Suite (Armory 216)                 303-492-4556                       

Steve Jones (production staff)            303-492-8919           

 

University Policies

Diversity Statement: Students should become aware of diversity issues, including people, cultures, beliefs, interests and opinions of those who are marginalized and disadvantaged, who frequently see themselves being either misrepresented or excluded from the prevailing narratives of their societies. Journalists often compound diversity problems by repeating assumptions and pedaling bias and stereotypes in their work.

Policies and Regulations

Attendance and Participation: You are expected to attend all class sessions and absence from class will impact your grades. Officially, this class runs from 1p until 4:50pm. During the lecture portion of the semester (field work) the usual hours will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm until 2:50. However, some of these days might require overtime work.  During the studio half of the semester, class will meet from 1p until 4:50pm at the latest for the lab (studio) work. In most circumstances, we will rarely have to stay until 4:50p. The student is responsible for notifying the instructor of their absence via email AND phone. Extended absences due to illness will require a doctor’s note. I am willing to work with students who have extracurricular activities (cheerleading, football, etc) that are scheduled during class. Work, meetings or internships will not be counted as an excused activity. Students should not schedule other activities during the allotted time for class. Participation comes from attending class and actively involving yourself in discussions and team assignments. If you have a compelling need, please contact the instructor prior to class.

If you miss class to religious observances, please inform the instructor at least two weeks prior. If you miss class due to a medical emergency, you should provide the professor with written documentation from a doctor. It is up to your professor’s discretion to determine what constitutes a valid reason for missing class.

Any student who misses three or more classes will automatically receive a one-letter grade deduction. Any student who misses five or more class sessions will automatically receive a failing grade in this course.

If you have a disability that prevents course attendance, please see the University Policies section below.

Punctuality and Reliability: Tardiness is disruptive to class. Please let me know if getting to class on time will be an issue. Otherwise, tardiness will be considered an unexcused absence. Students should learn to be 15 minutes early to everything they attend. Class starts promptly and attendance will be taken.

Class Behaviour: Please disengage all mobile devices and laptops. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to behavioral standards may be subject to discipline.  For more information see policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and athttp://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code.

Appointments and Tutoring: We are always willing to give one-on-one instruction. Make an appointment. If you leave messages by phone we'll endeavour to call back within an hour of getting your message. We're also mostly available after class and during office hours.

Professional Expectations: The broadcast profession requires discipline to report to work and complete assignments on time. In addition, teamwork is crucial to the broadcast business. When working with partners, you are expected to exercise professionalism, which means you must be punctual and reliable. Mutual respect and cooperation are of the essence. Try to coordinate schedules when working as a team and be considerate of other people’s deadlines. Plan ahead for your project. Never leave projects until the last possible minute.

CMCI Student Competencies and Values:

1) Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.

2) Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.

3) Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups in American society and in a global society in relationship to communication.

4) Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.

5) Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.

6) Think critically, creatively and independently.

7) Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.

8) Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.

9) Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.

10) Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.

11) Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work

University Policies: If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed.  Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.  Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance.  In this class, please give me adequate notice if you have any conflict between religious observance and coursework. I will fully comply with your religious needs by helping you make other accommodations. To learn more about the campus policies, full details can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty.  Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.  Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at  http://www.colorado.edu/odh

Academic Dishonesty: All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honour Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html  and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/