new media journalism final project—online · pdf filewebsite design and final-project...
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Catalog Course Code: NMJ 690
Three-Letter Course Abbreviation: NMJ-O
Instructor: Ronald C. Thomas Jr., EdD, CPM
Telephone: 407.551.2024 ext. 7983
Email: [email protected]
iChat: [email protected]
Hours: By appointment (please call or send an email to schedule) If unable to keep an appointment, please call to cancel or reschedule
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In the New Media Journalism Master of Arts Degree Pro-gram, students must complete a capstone New Media Journalism Final Project as a requirement for graduation. To complete this project, students will utilize what they have learned about the mission, methods, and experience of mul-timedia reporting to undertake a comprehensive, sustained study of a single subject. The final project will consist of a journalistic package that combines the elements of text, photos, video, graphics, and other elements to tell that story. Each student will publish a blog and/or establish a website that includes multimedia pieces that document his or her project in evolution and will write a research-based and sup-ported thesis paper that will serve as an in-depth exploration of the project.
COURSE MATERIALS
Due to the dynamic nature of new media journalism, stu-dents will consult current, relevant online resources as assigned to supplement course lessons. Other course mate-rials include:
yy APA-style guidelines: http://bit.ly/eQY7D
yy APA-style tutorial: http://bit.ly/zYF7sj
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will accomplish these course objectives by com-pleting the milestones specified:
yy Synthesize knowledge of journalistic principles and pro-fessional and academic style guides
yy Demonstrate complex understanding of the profes-sional and academic writing process
yy Apply journalistic principles to development of a final thesis paper
yy Differentiate between journalism and professional style guides with regard to tone, voice, and attribution and grammar in written reports
yy Evaluate the results of research methodologies in analy-ses of digital content
yy Define the scientific method in the context of written academic and technical reports
yy Identify the types of research methodologies used in scientific inquiries
yy Discuss the types of evidence used to substantiate claims in professional and academic reports
yy Evaluate the implications of research results on theo-ries of new media journalism practices and effects
yy Articulate complex analyses of professional and academic textual reports
yy Define, differentiate, and evaluate modes of discourse and types of reports
yy Incorporate discourse guidelines in the development of a final thesis paper
yy Assess professional and academic reports based on mode of discourse standards
yy Develop, execute, and measure strategies and tactics for engaging audiences based on analyses of analytic reports
yy Apply principles and lessons from best-practice case studies to production, publication, and distribution of a final project follow-up report
yy Use analytic tools to optimize a personal website and final project
yy Execute and assess engagement strategies and tactics related to an online portfolio and final-project distribution
yy Evaluate website design and story layout based on best-practice principles
yy Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of pro-fessional website layout and design principles
yy Analyze website design and story layout in various specializations of new media journalism
yy Revise, renovate, and optimize digital portfolios, pro-fessional websites, and a final project
COURSE SYLLABUS
NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE
COURSE OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
yy Articulate complex descriptions of best practices in new media journalism
yy Differentiate among description, exposition, narration, and argument as discourse modes for textual reports
yy Incorporate the scientific method into production of aca-demic and professional reports
yy Analyze the outcomes and limitations of experimental, survey, and content-analysis research
yy Synthesize knowledge of research methods into the pro-duction of compelling arguments
yy Report, produce, and publish a follow-up report based on a final project
yy Integrate theories of media effects and journalism prac-tices in evaluations of multimedia reports
yy Assess academic and professional reports based on new media journalism criteria
yy Evaluate website designs and story layouts using site ar-chitecture and optimization principles
yy Create, peer-review, and revise the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references sections of a final thesis paper
DEGREE CONNECTION
Each course within the New Media Journalism Master’s pro-gram builds and expands upon knowledge and skills threaded throughout previous courses. In the Final Project course, stu-dents will synthesize and apply the best-practice principles of new media journalism with the standards provided by professional and academic style guides in the development, revision, and creation of their final thesis paper. Students will also report, produce, and publish a multimedia follow-up story based on their final-project topic that integrates all they have learned in the New Media Journalism program. Addi-tionally, students will utilize the results of analytic reports in the development of optimization strategies related to their website design and final-project layout to more fully engage their target audience.
INDUSTRY CONNECTION
Based on the results of analytics and social-metrics reports, students in the Final Project course will gain valuable experi-ence renovating the design, layout, and optimization of their digital portfolio, personal website, and final project to reach their audience-engagement goals. This course requires a hands-on approach as students complete a sustained study of a journalistic topic using multiple media elements as well as a thesis paper written in support of that project. Students completing this course will draft, peer-review, revise, and complete drafts of their thesis paper to demonstrate their ability to tell a compelling, newsworthy story in line with the standards provided by professional and academic style guides. This course allows students to demonstrate their ability to complete a sustained, in-depth study in an area of new media journalism related to their ultimate career goals and that follows contemporary industry standards.
NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Course OutcomesNEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Course Objectives
RESEARCH COMPONENT
In NMJ-O, students are not only held responsible for every stage and element in the development of their final thesis paper but are also required to assess and optimize their digi-tal portfolios. Grounded in the mass-communication research tradition, students will learn to apply the principles of the sci-entific method to both their journalistic storytelling and final thesis paper. After assessing findings from various case stud-ies, students will craft an appropriate strategy for both the creation of their final thesis paper as well as optimization of their online content. Course assignments require students to adopt a hands-on approach as they develop proficiency in the use of professional and academic style guides for research-ing, drafting, peer-reviewing, and revising their final thesis paper and professional websites.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The following are suggested sources for additional research:
yy “Preparing to Write and Drafting the Paper”: http://writing-program.uchicago.edu/resources /collegewriting/preparing_to_write_and_drafting .htm#_Toc431538579
yy “Research Paper Checklist: What Professors Look for When Grading”: http://blog.questia.com/2011/11/research-paper-checklist -what-professors-look-for-when-grading/
yy “Understanding Voice and Tone in Writing”: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/understanding -voice-and-tone-in-writing.aspx
yy “How to Write Your Thesis”: http://www.ldeo.columbia .edu/~martins/sen_sem/thesis_org.html
TOPICS COVEREDyy Professional and Academic Writing Standards and
Guidelines
yy How to Write Introductions and Literature Reviews
yy Incorporating the Scientific Method in Written Reports
yy Analyzing Research Results
yy How to Write Methodologies and Results
yy Covering Evolving Stories Online
yy Incorporating New Media Concepts into Story Production
yy How to Write Discussions and Conclusions
yy Attribution and Citation in Professional and Academic Writing
yy Advanced Design and Layout Principles and Practices
yy Evaluating Analytic Reports of Final Project
yy Review of the Thesis Purposes and Processes
NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Research ComponentNEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Research Component
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Reading AssignmentsReading assignments are carefully selected to assist with students’ exploration of key concepts and provide knowledge of available re-search and learning technologies. This course relies on bookmarked articles and online resources to provide students with the most cur-rent content possible.
Multimedia ActivitiesMultimedia activities augment students’ understanding of certain key ideas and provide valuable practical experience and information. These activities allow students to demonstrate their comprehension of guiding principles, proficiency with technological tools, and ability to execute professional projects.
Weekly ExercisesStudents will apply new media journalism concepts by creating, publishing, and promoting original content on their personal-brand websites and completing their final thesis paper in weekly segments.
Professional and Academic Writing Standards and GuidelinesDuring the first week, students will learn how to apply and put into practice the principles underlying professional writing guides in the creation of their final thesis paper. Students will discuss the modes of discourse and identify the appropriate method for organizing their paper as well as incorporating the principles of the scientific method into their textual reports. After synthesizing theoretical, practical, and ethical information derived from relevant case studies, students will write, peer-review, and revise the introductions and literature review sections of their final thesis paper.
Research Methodology and ResultsNew media journalists must understand the nature of empirical research results used to substantiate claims, assertions, and argu-ments in professional and academic reports. In the second week, students will discuss the procedures and limitations involved in sur-vey, experimental, field studies, and content analyses and analyze evidence by research methodology. Students will incorporate their knowledge of research results into their analysis of the Google Ana-lytics report based on their final project. Students will also produce a draft of the third chapter, Methodology and Results, of their final thesis paper.
Review of New Media Principles and Practices
In the third week, students will review new media journalism prin-ciples and practices as they synthesize theories of media effects and best-practice guidelines for media-element usage. They will analyze the attribution and citation standards set forth in professional and academic style guides, evaluate the transparency of textual reports, and incorporate journalistic principles into the development of their final thesis paper. Students will then draft, peer-review, and revise the discussion, conclusion, and bibliography of their final thesis paper. They will also report, produce, and publish a follow-up report based on their final project topic.
Professional Website and Personal-Brand OptimizationIn the final week, students will determine the optimal layout and design for their own professional sites. They will also develop strategies and tactics to fully engage their target audiences. To demonstrate comprehension of these concepts, students will peer-review and finalize their online portfolios and website designs, as well as submit the final draft of their completed thesis papers.
NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Learning ActivitiesNEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Learning Activities
Mastery and ReflectionIn the final week, students will make their final entry in their run-ning Mastery Journal. Here, they will both reflect on this course and make a culminating statement about their experience in the program as a whole.
GRADE WEIGHTS
Weekly Discussion Boards (4 at 10% each) 40%
Assignments (Weeks 1–3 at 10% each; Week 4 at 15%) 45%
Mastery Journal 5%
Professionalism 10%
Total 100%
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL LEARNING
yy Be aware of your words and digital content; proofread, edit, and deliver your messages concisely, actively, consistently, and in an emotionally impactful way.
yy Promote yourself, your digital content, and your online profile in line with your professional career goals and industry standards.
yy Make sure that all of your work is presented as you would in a professional work environment.
NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Learning Activities
COURSE-SPECIFIC RUBRICS
Weeks 1–4 Discussion Boards
DimensionExcellent100%
Good90%
Fair80%
Poor70% or less
Thoroughness and Quality
25 points
Post demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the assignment, and all topic(s) are thoroughly addressed
Post addresses all required questions and/or includes all required elements
All information presented is accurate, clear, thorough, and supported by relevant facts, statistics, analysis, and/or examples
Post demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the assignment, and most topic(s) are convincingly addressed
Post addresses at least 90% of the required questions and/or includes all required elements
Most information presented is accurate, clear, thorough, and supported by relevant facts, statistics, analysis, and/or examples
Post demonstrates a superficial understanding of the assignment
Some topics are adequately addressed
Post addresses at least 80% of the required questions and/or includes some required elements
Some information presented is accurate, clear, thorough, and supported by relevant facts, statistics, analysis, and/or examples
Post demonstrates a lack of understanding of the assignment
Discussion topic is not adequately addressed
Post addresses 70% or less of the required questions and/or elements
Many of the points presented are not clear, thorough, creative, or adequately supported with relevant facts
Logic and Argument
25 points
All ideas flow logically; arguments are identifiable, reasonable, and sound
All factual examples/facts given to support a position are relevant and compelling
Counterarguments are successfully addressed
Post includes new meaningful material, enriching the discussion
Most ideas flow logically; most arguments are clear, consistent, flow logically, and make sense
Most factual examples/reasons given to support a position are relevant and compelling
Acknowledgement of counterarguments
Occasional insightful connections to outside material are made
Some logic and/or arguments are unclear, irrelevant, or unconvincing
Post does not fully address counterarguments or make connections to outside material
Unclear arguments or flow of ideas
Few reasons are given to support a position
Simplistic view of discussion topic; little evidence of possible alternative views provided
OR post demonstrates minimal effort or comprehension
Posts are difficult to understand
Writing Skills
10 points
No major grammatical or professional-writing-style errors
Argument and post are well-structured, are organized logically, and flow smoothly
Overall good writing, but one or two grammatical or professional-writing-style issues interrupt the flow of communication
Overall adequate writing with three or four grammatical or professional-writing-style issues that interrupt the flow of communication
Five or more grammatical and/or professional-writing-style errors make the argument and post difficult to follow and process
NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Course-Specific Rubrics
DimensionExcellent100%
Good90%
Fair80%
Poor70% or less
Use of References
10 points
If information sources are used or referenced, all are cited correctly
If information sources are used or referenced, most are cited correctly
If information sources are used or referenced, some are cited correctly
If information sources are used or referenced, few or none are cited correctly
Response Post (RISE)
30 points
Response post incorporates all four elements of the RISE model with an excellent level of detail and effort, including:
Reflect: To recall, ponder, and communicate
Inquire: To seek information and/or provide ideas through questioning
Suggest: To introduce ideas for improvement of the current iteration
Elevate: To raise to a higher degree or purpose in future iterations
Response post addresses at least 90% of the elements in the RISE model with adequate detail and effort
Response post addresses at least 80% of the elements in the RISE model but offers few constructive comments and/or vague suggestions
Response post is submitted but does not address at least 70% of the elements in the RISE model
Student merely expresses agreement or disagreement without explanation, asks no questions, and offers no suggestions for improvement
Weeks 1–4 Discussion Boards (Cont.)
NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Course-Specific Rubrics
Assignments
Weeks 1–2 Assignments
DimensionExcellentA
GoodB
Minimal C
UnacceptableD–F
Assignment
80%
Submission includes all required elements
Pages meet all formatting and content requirements
41–45 points
Submission includes most of the required elements
Pages meet most formatting and content requirements
36–40 points
Submission includes some of the required elements
Pages meet few formatting and content requirements
33–35 points
Submission fails to include requirements
Pages do not meet formatting and content requirements
0–32 points
Spelling and Grammar
20%
Submission is free of any grammatical or spelling errors
18–20 points
Submission has minor grammatical and/or spelling errors
16–17 points
Submission contains occasional grammatical and/or spelling errors
14–15 points
Submission contains numerous grammatical and/or spelling errors
0–13 points
Deadline -15 points per day past initial post deadline
NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Course-Specific Rubrics
Week 3 Publication Assignment
DimensionExcellentA
GoodB
Minimal C
UnacceptableD–F
Journalistic Quality
25%
The work exhibits excellent journalistic quality, thorough research, credible sourcing, and excellent writing
23–25 points
The work exhibits good journalistic quality, solid research, mostly credible sourcing, and good writing
20–22 points
The work exhibits fair journalistic quality, a fair amount of research, suspect sourcing, and fair writing
18–19 points
The work exhibits poor journalistic quality, little research, untrustworthy sourcing, and poor writing
0–17 points
Production Mechanics
25%
The work exhibits excellent text, audio, photography, infographics, videography, and editing as appropriate
23–25 points
The work exhibits good scripting, audio, photography, infographics, videography, and editing as appropriate
20–22 points
The work exhibits fair scripting, audio, photography, infographics, videography, and editing as appropriate
18–19 points
The work exhibits poor scripting, audio, photography, infographics, videography, and editing as appropriate
0–17 points
Technical Requirements
20%
All required technical elements are fulfilled
18–20 points
Most of the required technical elements are fulfilled
16–17 points
Some of the required technical elements are fulfilled
14–15 points
Few or none of the required technical elements are fulfilled
0–13 points
AP Style and Grammar
15%
The work is free of any grammatical or AP Style errors
14–15 points
The work has minor grammatical and/or AP Style errors
12–13 points
The work contains occasional grammatical and/or AP Style errors
10–11 points
The work contains numerous grammatical and/or AP Style errors
0–9 points
Attribution
15%
Statements are supported by relevant sources
14–15 points
Most statements are supported by relevant sources
12–13 points
Few statements are supported by relevant sources
10–11 points
Statements are not supported by relevant sources
0–9 points
Deadline Submitted on time
-0 points
One day past due
-25 points
Two days past due
-50 points
More than two days past due
-100 points
Assignments (Cont.)
NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Course-Specific Rubrics
Week 4 Assignment
CriteriaExcellentA
GoodB
Minimal C
UnacceptableD–F
Thesis Paper
80%
Student’s thesis paper addresses all the required elements in a clear and concise manner
Paper meets all formatting and content requirements
63–70 points
Student’s thesis paper addresses most of the required elements in a concise manner
Paper meets most formatting and content requirements
56–63 points
Student’s draft addresses some of the required elements
Paper meets few formatting and content requirements
48–55 points
Student’s draft fails to address the required elements
Paper does not meet formatting and content requirements
0–47 points
Spelling and Grammar
20%
Paper is free of any grammatical or spelling errors
18–20 points
Paper has minor grammatical and/or spelling errors
16–17 points
Paper contains occasional grammatical and/or spelling errors
14–15 points
Paper contains numerous grammatical and/or spelling errors
0–13 points
Deadline -25 points per day past deadline
Assignments (Cont.)
NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Course-Specific Rubrics
Mastery Journal Assignment
DimensionExcellent100%
Good90%
Fair80%
Poor70%
Failing60% or less
Discussion of Which Content Is Most Helpful
Response specifically identifies which content is most helpful and why
Response identifies which content is most helpful but provides a general explanation
Response identifies which content is most helpful but provides a weak explanation
Response identifies which content is most helpful but does not provide an explanation
Response fails to identify which content is most helpful
25%
Discussion of How the Knowledge Acquired in This Course Prepares the Student for a Future Career
Response specifically discusses how the knowledge acquired in this course will prepare the student for a future career
Response generally discusses how the knowledge acquired in this course will prepare the student for a future career
Response identifies that the student learned something from the course but provides a weak explanation as to how it will prepare the student for a future career
Response identifies only that the student learned something from the course but does not explain how it will prepare the student for a future career
Response fails to discuss how the knowledge acquired in this course will prepare the student for a future career
25%
Discussion of Course Expectations
Response specifically identifies course expectations and provides detailed examples
Response specifically identifies course expectations and provides general examples
Response generally identifies course expectations and provides weak examples
Response generally identifies course expectations but provides no examples
Response fails to identify course expectations
30%
Organization and Coherence
The structure is logical
Sophisticated transitional sentences allow ideas to flow, develop, and relate logically
The reader is easily guided through the author’s thought process
Ideas are presented in a logical progression
Good transitional techniques are used between thoughts
Some logic may be faulty, but each paragraph clearly relates to the author’s objective
Ideas are stated but presented randomly without logical or professional structure
The logic behind certain paragraphs may not be clear (i.e., paragraphs are too general)
The ideas are generally conveyed but are not written in a logical or professional structure
Sentences within paragraphs may lack coherence, making the author’s intentions hard to understand
The structure is completely random and lacks paragraph cohesion
The paragraphs may not relate to the objective
The paragraphs may lack topic sentences or be too broad to be effective10%
Writing Skills There are no significant errors in regard to spelling, grammar, usage, punctuation, capitalization, or structure
There are few or minor grammatical/typographical errors
Sources are sufficiently cited
There are frequent grammatical or typographical errors
Sources are not cited correctly, but an attempt at citing them is made
There are either numerous grammatical/typographical errors, or sources are not cited
Grammatical and typographical errors are present to the point of distraction
Sources are not cited10%
NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM FINAL PROJECT—ONLINE Course-Specific Rubrics