JOUR 479V - Independent Study Publication Principles 3-4 p.m., T, Wells Hall Room 106 (plus three hours/week outside class)

SUPPLIES

• Harrower, T. The Newspaper Designer's Handbook.  (5th ed.)
• AP Stylebook
• Electronic storage device of your choice
• Day Planner Bring to class every day

PREREQUISITES

• Keyboard proficiency
• Working knowledge of the Internet and e-mail.

DESCRIPTION
   Offers hands-on practical experience in publication production. Includes writing, design and photojournalism.

REQUIREMENTS

In general, students participating in the independent study:

1. Attend a weekly meeting with the adviser. These meetings will take place Thursdays at 3 p.m. in 106 Wells Hall. You will receive your assignments at the meeting.
2. Provide examples and critiques of publication — This requires a critique of the examples in terms of writing proficiency, design and photo choice (and use). Provide an alternative design for each example under consideration, justifying the use in terms of news values.
3. Adhere to deadlines.
4. Keep a portfolio of the work you do for this class. After each meeting, write a summary of the changes made and the justification for each change. You should also summarize the meeting. Label it with the date of publication. In the summary, explain:
   • If you learned something new about design or working with InDesign.
   • What problems you encountered laying out the page and how you solved those problems.
   • What problems you encountered editing the page.
   Submit portfolios by 4 p.m. Monday of finals week for credit.

ASSESSMENT

   For the midterm, you will:

• demonstrate your ability to produce a page with copy, pictures and cutlines.
• demonstrate your ability to manipulate photographs
• name your strengths and weaknesses, with suggestions on what you can do to improve your weaknesses.

   For the final, you will provide a five-page documented assessment of what you have learned from your work with the publication about design principles, staff management and the need for deadlines and editing. What problems did you encounter? What did you do to overcome those problems?

GRADING

   Completing the requirements assures that you pass the class. For a grade higher than the passing D, the following components will be considered.

• Timeliness — did you meet your deadlines?
• Reliability — did you complete the assignments by deadline? Did you do what you said you'd do? Did you meet me when you said you would?
• Quality of Design — how much reworking was needed? Did your eye for design improve over the semester?
• Overall improvement — did you barely learn your skill or learn it well enough to use it in the work place? Did you perform your tasks well, or did they have to be redone by someone else?
• Neatness of portfolio.
• Perceptiveness of comments in portfolio.
• Attitude — did you do your work cheerfully? Did you take constructive criticism or argue over every point?

If you don't understand something in this Web note, please e-mail Dr. Sitton.