JIM BRONSKILL, THE CANADIAN PRESSJIM.BRONSKILL@THECANADIANPRESS.COM

DAVID MCKIE, CBC NEWSDAVID.MCKIE@CBC.CA

JOUR 5206: Reporting Methods

COURSE SYLLABUS

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JOUR 5206: GOALS1) Obtain a thorough grounding in journalistic

research methods.2) Acquire skills, such as computer-assisted or

data-journalism reporting techniques, needed to make sense of the information gathered.

3) Develop the ability to shape the information into accurate and compelling stories.

In short: become a critical thinker

TEXTBOOK

OPTIONAL TEXTBOOK

READINGS * Assigned readings are listed on the syllabus for relevant weeks * With the obvious exception of this week, please read chapters before class to help prepare

ASSIGNMENTS* Four assignments, each worth 20 per cent of

overall grade* Stories involving business, access-to-information

records, an event from the past, databases* Final 20 per cent of grade based on presence,

punctuality, participation, professionalism

ELEMENTS OF EVALUATIONEach assignment has three components, all of

which will figure in the grade: A. Copies of the actual records (documents, data,

etc.) compiled / gatheredB. A description of how the records were obtained,

and why they were usefulC. The resulting storyPlease use Canadian Press style

THE “GOOD STORY” TEST* If your story reads easily, chances are it is A-

level work* If we must read your story two or three times to

make sense of it, chances are it is B- or C-level work at best

* Tip: have a friend read your story to gauge flow and readability, and to see if there are obvious holes

TIME MANAGEMENT* We are giving you as much time as the short

term will allow to complete your stories* However, in order to succeed in this course, you

must work progressively at each story, sometimes tending to two or even three in the same week

* This is good practice for the newsroom, where work on different stories often overlaps

LEDES / DRAFTS* We want to see a proposed lede (one or two

opening sentences) of each story early in the process to ensure you have a viable idea

* We also require drafts of your stories. See the syllabus for due dates.

* Ledes / drafts will not be evaluated in detail but we will provide general guidance and direction

WHAT WE EXPECT* Think of class as news meeting* Regular attendance* Inform us in advance if cannot attend* Punctuality* Participation* Breaks only during break time* No cell phones or emailing in class* Please help us learn your names

CONTACTING US* Contact information on syllabus: click on our

names* email is best * Please avoid contacting us late in the

afternoon on weekdays* Phone calls / meetings: by appointment

EMAILS * Please use your Carleton account for all correspondence with us. It is a school rule. * cc: the other instructor * Please acknowledge our replies to your questions and comments. It lets us know you received our message.

APPRENTICESHIPS* No more than one week of class time* If two weeks, one week must be a break

week* Please inform us in advance

ICEBERG THEORY OF JOURNALISM