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Office: Newcomer 41
Hours: Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; and by appointment
Phone: 535-7745
E-mail: dstoltzfus@goshen.edu

In Getting the Whole Story: Reporting and Writing the News, the authors Cheryl Gibbs and Tom Warhover emphasize the essential role played by journalists “in sustaining our democratic way of life.” We intend to give concrete form to that vision by producing a voters guide for the citizens of Goshen – including students who live in dorms on campus but also factory workers, business owners, community volunteers and others. The content will include profiles of candidates for various offices (including congressional), as well as background reports on compelling races and referendums across the country, the impact of the Web on elections, the dearth of women holding elective office in Elkhart County, the reliability of voting equipment, the history of voter turnout, the engagement of young people in politics, the location of polling stations and more.

Other assignments include three types of writing that will be submitted to The Record for possible publication (news, sports and feature); a personality profile; and a personal essay under the heading “This I Believe,” which will be submitted for possible airing on National Public Radio.

1) Develop a keener sense of news by considering criteria like timeliness, importance
and human interest.

3) Complete a variety of reporting assignments, gaining confidence and competence along the way.

4) Develop a clear, economical and conversational style, in the best news writing tradition.

6) Produce articles for publication by working with editors and writing multiple drafts.

7) Understand the ethical and social responsibilities of journalists and examine the ways in which the Christian faith affects a journalist’s work.

Associated Press Guide to News Writing. Rene J. Cappon, ed. Thomson Arco. 2000.

Class Policies and Procedures:

Plagiarism involves using someone else's ideas or words without giving that person due credit. Generally, a first occurrence will result in failure for the assignment and a second will mean failure for the course. This does not mean that you are barred from using someone else’s ideas or words. Many times, in fact, our best work is elevated by drawing on the resources of others: we stand on the shoulders of past thinkers and researchers. But you must be sure to give credit where it is due. Think of how you would feel if someone used your well-turned phrase or clever observation without so much as an acknowledgment. Goshen College's policy on plagiarism is described in the college catalog on Page 100.

Goshen College wants to help all students be as academically successful as possible. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor or the director of the Academic Support Center, Lois Martin, early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. Documentation of your disability must be on file with the Academic Support Center, KU004, x7576, lmartin@goshen.edu. All information will be held in the strictest confidence. The Academic Support Center offers tutoring and writing assistance for all students. For further information please see www.goshen.edu/studentlife/asc.php.

Schedule

Tuesday, Sept. 2: Introduction to the course. Assumptions about journalism and writing. Goshen College style contest. Opening interviews.

Thursday, Sept. 4: The story of journalism.

Assignment: Read Chapter 1 and pp. 234-235 in Inside Reporting; “Out of Print: The death and life of the American newspaper” in The New Yorker. First draft of “This I Believe” essay is due by midnight Sunday, Sept. 7.

Tuesday, Sept. 9: Discussion of “This I Believe” essays.

Assignment: Read first draft of essays, making suggested edits. Read Chapters 1 and 2 in Guide to News Writing.

Thursday, Sept. 11: Tracking and reporting the news.

Assignment: Read Chapter 4 and pp. 16-17 and 203-209 in Inside Reporting; Chapters 7 and 8 in Guide to News Writing. Second draft of “This I Believe” essay is due.

Tuesday, Sept. 16: Writing basic, informative news stories.

Assignment: Read Chapter 3 in Inside Reporting. First draft of news story due.

Thursday, Sept. 18: Discussion of news stories.

Assignment: Read class articles, suggesting edits. Keep It in Style. Final draft due at 6 p.m. on Monday.

Tuesday, Sept. 23: Fundamentals of sports coverage. Tips from athletes.

Assignment: Read pp. 108-109 and pp. 236-243 in Inside Reporting. Preparations for covering a soccer game (men vs. Bethel at 7 p.m.) or volleyball match (women vs. Indiana Wesleyan at 7 p.m.) at home on Tuesday. Deadline: midnight.

Wed., Sept. 24: Celebrate Service Day

Thursday, Sept. 25: Discussion of sports articles.

Assignment:    Read articles written for class and Chapter 10 in Guide to News Writing.

Tuesday, Sept. 30:      Writing blogs.

Assignment: Read Chapter 8 and pp. 130-131 in Inside Reporting; blogs of note, including entries from Goshen College’s “Faith and Politics” site. Keep It in Style.

Thursday, Oct. 2: On the campaign trail.

Assignment: Summarize recent political coverage from a favorite news source. Read pp. 106-107 in Inside Reporting. First draft of blog entry is due.

Tuesday, Oct. 7: Cover meeting of the Goshen City Council. Press conference beforehand with Mayor Alan Kauffman.

Assignment: Read pp. 104-105 and pp. 230-233 in Inside Reporting. Attend press conference at 6:15 p.m. at City Hall, 202 S. 5th (corner of Washington). Then walk to Council Chambers, 111 E. Jefferson St. Meeting begins at 7 p.m. Deadline: midnight.

Thursday, Oct. 9: Discussion of City Council articles.

Assignment: Read articles written for class.

Tuesday, Oct. 14: Writing leads and endings.

Assignment: Read Chapters 3 and 5 in Guide to News Writing. Second draft of blog entry is due.

Thursday, Oct. 16: Visit The Elkhart Truth’s newsroom.

Assignment: Read Chapter 2 (except pp. 16-17) in Inside Reporting. Tentative plans call for leaving campus at 10:30 a.m. and returning at 12:30, traveling in a GC van.

Oct. 20-22: Midterm Break.

Thursday, Oct. 19: Writing personality profiles.

Assignment: Read pp. 120-121 and 252-257 in Inside Reporting.

Tuesday, Oct. 24: Power of the presentation.

Assignment: Read profiles from Goshen Portraits and Goshen Portraits 2. First draft of profile is due on Wednesday at noon.

Thursday, Oct. 26: Discussion of profiles.

Assignment: Read and comment on first draft of profiles.

Tuesday, Oct. 31: Writing features.

Assignment: Read pp. 112-119 in Inside Reporting; Chapters 9 and 11 in Guide to News Writing. Keep It in Style.

Thursday, Nov. 2: Partnership with PR

Assignment: Read Chapter 10 in Inside Reporting. Second draft of profiles due.

Tuesday, Nov. 7: Tracking the general election.

Assignment: First draft of feature article due. Read Chapters 4 and 6 in Guide to News Writing.

Thursday, Nov. 9: Election recap. Discussion of feature articles.

Assignment: Read and comment on first draft of feature articles.

Tuesday, Nov. 14: Multimedia reporting. Guest speaker: Marshall King, news editor and multimedia editor at The Elkhart Truth.

Assignment: Second draft of feature articles due.

Thursday, Nov. 16: Adding photos, graphics and other visual elements.

Assignment: Third draft of profiles due.

Tuesday, Nov. 21: Investigative reporting

Assignment: Keep It in Style.

Nov. 23-24: Thanksgiving Break.

Tuesday, Nov. 28: Rights and responsibilities of the press.

Assignment: Read Chapter 7 in Inside Reporting.

Thursday, Nov. 30: Final class: roundtable on journalism.

Fall 2008

Instructor: Duane C.S. Stoltzfus, Professor of Communication

Class Policies and Procedures:

Schedule

Tuesday, Sept. 2: Introduction to the course. Assumptions about journalism and writing. Goshen College style contest. Opening interviews.

Tuesday, Oct. 7: Cover meeting of the Goshen City Council. Press conference beforehand with Mayor Alan Kauffman.

Thursday, Nov. 16: Adding photos, graphics and other visual elements.