Type of Credit: Elective
Credit(s)
Number of Students
As coordinated by Prof. Michael Yu, this course will focus on a writing workshop conducted mainly by Phil Smith, a former senior journalist/editor at Reuters. It aims to teach the methodology and basic rules of journalism and how to construct news stories across all media forms in the proper form with the emphasis on proper structure, ethics and balance. All aspects of fundamental reporting and working principles will be addressed and prepare students to know the variety of approaches for news production. Through discussion and teamwork, students are thus able to learn the format and make quality international reports. This is a course focused on practical work in, and out, of the classroom and is hands-on.
Students will be expected to deliver a news feature the subject of which will be agreed with Phil Smith. The news feature will contain multi-media elements, including video, pictures, graphics, and text.
In addition to graduate students, undergraduate seniors (not juniors) are welcome to take this course.
能力項目說明
1. To understand the format and execute international news reporting and basic skills, both text and visual.
2. To analyze a variety of issues and the norm of international news writing to a high standard.
3. To be able to manage and conduct international coverage via news-editing skills and planning.
4. To behave ethically and with balance in news reporting activities.
5. To be confident of the basics of international news reporting and behavior as expected by leading media companies should the student ever face such an interview for employment.
| 教學週次Course Week | 彈性補充教學週次Flexible Supplemental Instruction Week | 彈性補充教學類別Flexible Supplemental Instruction Type |
|---|---|---|
|
Week |
Date |
Topic |
Content and Reading Assignment |
Teaching Activities and Homework |
|
1 |
2/23 |
Course Introduction |
Before the introduction, students should spend a few hours studying the international news wires. Read Phil Smith’s CV. |
Short rewrite exercise. 200 words Prepare for a dummy news planning meeting |
|
2 |
3/1 |
News Editing |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Class discussion backed up with ongoing study of the international news wires |
|
3 |
3/8 |
Basic Journalistic Writing - introduction |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Writing exercise |
|
4 |
3/15 |
Headlines and leads |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Writing exercise |
|
5 |
3/22 |
Second paragraphs and more |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Writing exercise |
|
6 |
3/29 |
Use of quotes and questions |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Writing exercise |
|
7 |
4/5 |
Spring break/holiday |
|
|
|
8 |
4/12 |
How to Ask Questions/TV Interviewing |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Writing exercise |
|
9 |
4/19 |
News Scenario |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Class discussion group |
|
10 |
4/26 |
Appearing on camera |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Scriptwriting exercise |
|
11 |
5/3 |
Ethics/Legal Dangers |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Short (400-word) essay on media ethics |
|
12 |
5/10 |
Business Writing |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Writing exercise |
|
13 |
5/17 |
Features and Analysis |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Writing exercise |
|
14 |
5/24 |
Journalist safety session |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Class discussion group |
|
15 |
5/31 |
News scenario, planning, and wrap-up |
Keep up with international news events and be up to speed with the major stories breaking around the world |
Class discussion group |
|
16 |
6/7 |
Field trip |
TaiwanPlus |
|
|
17 |
6/14 |
Flexible Instruction |
No class |
Feature Writing exercise |
|
18 |
6/21 |
Flexible Instruction |
No Class |
Feature Writing exercise |
As this is a practical and hands-on course, much of the marking will be done on the basis of classroom performance and participation. Following the style of writing and performance (TV) being taught will be key as will following the style contained within the lessons. Attendance is key so please do not sign up for this course if you think you can duck classes and still get credits. Much of the marking will be done during the sessions and not only based on homework or final papers. Please note this. Serious inattention in class or absence from class could lead to low marks or a fail.