Catalog Description
Prerequisite: Journalism 307, 309. Practice and study of journalism online. Examines how technological innovations are changing the ways print and broadcast journalists do their jobs, as well as the social, economic, ethical and legal implications of these changes. Students will learn advanced research techniques on the Internet and to report, edit and design in an online environment.

Course Objectives
Students will gain skills that journalists need to work effectively with online media, including newsgathering and research, writing for online publications and basic concepts of Web design. They will analyze how media organizations today take advantage of online editions (or not!) and how a story may be developed, expanded or enhanced online. They will also consider and discuss the effects of new media in society. This is not a programming class, although we will use such tools and InDesign, GoLive and Illustrator. Students will also be expected to read and evaluate news sites and discuss current events in online media.

Required Texts
“ Web Journalism: Practice and Promise of a New Medium” by James Glen Stovall
“ The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual”
Other readings as assigned

Assignments
• Virtual Listening Posts: Follow one affiliated news site and one Weblog throughout the quarter. They can be vertical in subject matter, but you must have access to the “other” edition of the site (print of broadcast media) and be able to compare how they handle news.
• Webifying stories (2)
• Newsletter and listserv study
• Scavenger hunt (in class)
• Project (will be discussed further)
• Potential current events quizzes
• Participation and professionalism

Attendance, Makeup work
Treat this class as if you had a newsroom job. You should not miss class unless you have an acceptable reason, and you must contact your instructor in advance just as you would your editor at work. Acceptable reasons for missing class are verifiable illness, emergency or death in the family. You may be asked to provide documentation or sources to back up your reason for not being in class. If you cannot provide necessary attribution, you may receive unexcused absence, which will lower your grade. Students may be excused for religious holidays; please let me know in advance. You may be able to make up assignments you missed for legitimate reasons, but you must see me about this in a timely manner.

Honesty and Conduct
Academic misconduct refers to some of the following: Using materials – verbatim or in concept – from another author without citations or attribution; using material from other publications, including newspapers, books, magazines and online media. Plagiarism is a major offense in journalism and other professions; if you plagiarize in an assignment, in this class you will receive a zero. Misrepresenting or fabricating story information, quotes, sources or other material will also earn you a zero on an assignment. This applies to Web materials in particular; you can’t lift graphics, design or digital dingbats (animation, for example) without permission and attribution.