SYLLABUS
JOUR 460: Internet Journalism
Fall 2002

Page Updated: Thursday, October 17, 2002, 2:25 pm

Schedule for individual class meetings on final projects.

Instructor: Dr. Jim Foust
Office Hours: (West Hall Room 308) 2:30-3:30 T, Th; 12:00-1:00 W; 2:30-5:00 W; And by appointment
Telephone: Office 372-2077; Home (419) 874-4190
E-Mail: jfoust@bgnet.bgsu.edu
Web: http://personal.bgsu.edu/~jfoust

Course Description

This course examines the so-called "New Media"—particularly the Internet—and how they are changing the way journalists work. We will begin by looking at some theoretical ideas about how the Internet could change journalism, then look at some of the ways the Internet is already being used as a journalistic medium. Finally, we will put those ideas into practice by producing journalistic web sites of our own, and in the process, hopefully, "pushing the envelope" of what it means to be a journalist in the 21^st century.

Objectives

This course has several interrelated objectives:

1. To build your understanding of how characteristics of media affect how Journalistic content is produced for those media;
2. To introduce you to the concepts of usability and web design and to allow you to demonstrate understanding of these concepts through hands-on work;
3. To prompt you to "think outside the box," using the web's unique attributes to expand your perception of how Journalistic content can be produced;
4. To introduce you to the concepts of web authoring, and prepare you for advanced study and work in this important field.

What you need

• One (1) Zip Disk
• Access to the World Wide Web (WWW) and electronic mail through a bgnet account

Course Activities

Your course grade will be based on the following elements:

Final Project (40%): You will produce a journalistic web site according to the criteria that will be presented in class. This project should demonstrate your mastery—or at least understanding—of the concepts of good Internet design. It should also—and this is extremely important—be a quality work of journalism. The project, which will be handed in on a Zip disk and posted to an online server, is due on Thursday, December 12 at the beginning of class. You also will make a brief presentation about your web site for the class.

Final Project Proposal (10%): You will submit a detailed proposal of your final project prior to beginning the actual HTML coding. We will discuss the requirements of the proposal in class. The proposal is due Tuesday, October 17 at the beginning of class.

Journalistic Web Site Report (15%): You will write a thoughtful and informed report on a journalistic web site of your choice. We will discuss further details in class. You also will make a brief (approximately 5 minute) presentation of your report. The written report is due Tuesday, October 3 at the beginning of class.

Usability Report (10%): You will write a report on the quality of design and usability of a web site that I will assign. This report should demonstrate your understanding of the important concepts of usability and web design. The report is due Tuesday, October 22 at the beginning of class.

Quizzes (15%): I will give approximately five (5) unannounced (and announced) quizzes. These quizzes will cover reading assignments and class discussions.

Attendance and Participation (10%)

Late Projects will be assessed a 10 percent penalty for each day they are late. Unless otherwise noted, projects are due at the beginning of the class period listed on class outline. If they are not ready at that time, they are considered late.

Class Web Site

I will maintain a web site for this class at http://personal.bgsu.edu/~jfoust/j460. You will find the required web-based readings, an updated syllabus and other information here.

October 29 Using Dreamweaver Read: Web Readings USABILITY REPORT DUE	October 31 Using Dreamweaver
November 5 Using Dreamweaver	November 7 Using Dreamweaver
November 12 Using Dreamweaver	November 14 Using Dreamweaver
November 19 Using Dreamweaver	November 21 TBA
November 26 TBA	November 28 NO CLASS: Thanksgiving Break
December 3 Work on Final Projects	December 5 Work on Final Projects
December 10 Work on Final Projects	December 12 Present Final Projects in Class FINAL PROJECTS DUE

* Subject to change; see the web site for the latest version of the class schedule.

Final Examination: Friday, December 20, 10:45-12:45