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Final project reminder

Hello. This is the same as the earlier post on the final project:
Final project
Public Affairs Reporting

Final Reporting & Multi-Media Project (including multi-media)

You have two options for your final project:
(1) take one of your earlier 100-point stories and make a significant revision and
add a sidebar. Additional reporting should be done. Turn in the original story if you choose this option.

(2) Report and write up a new PAR, 100-point-style story that includes at least three sources.

In addition to your print story, include at least two additional story-telling elements: pictures, poll, graph, audio, video, a map, or a timeline. We will go over these elements in class. These additional elements should add to the storytelling and be handed in through a blog that we will develop in class. You will be evaluated on how well multi-media add to the storytelling.

Deadline: April 23rd in class at the conclusion of the in-class presentation.

Charts

There are many different ways to make charts. One possibility is Google.docs. Here are a few different templates. There are several others if you use the search function.

Here's a tutorial if you use Abode Illustrator.

April 16th

Hello. Just a reminder that today's PAR class is a work session for your final multi-media projects.

I am leaving on a research trip this afternoon to go through the papers of journalist Molly Ivins at the University of Texas, Austin and will return on Sunday. I will check my email irregularly during this time period. I will respond on lengthy questions on Monday.

Remember that you can earn up to 20 extra credit points by attending J-Day this Saturday. (You can earn 10 points per workshop attended. Be sure to sign in.)

CAR data

Hello. Here are the resources we'll be using in class.

The city payroll.

Florida drugs

The city budget.

Extra-credit points

Hello. You can earn up to 20 extra credit points by attending J-Day this Saturday. (You can earn 10 points per workshop attended. Be sure to sign in.)

Computer-Assisted Reporting

Hello. Just a reminder that we will have a guest speaker on computer-assisted reporting in class today. Lance Speere has gone through IRE bootcamp on CAR at the University of Missouri. He is also national past-president of College Media Advisers.

Class on March 9

Hello. You will get your 100-point beat stories back at the beginning of class today. The rest of the class time is devoted to working on your final multi-media projects.

PAR and the Law

Final Project

Final project
Public Affairs Reporting

Final Reporting & Multi-Media Project (including multi-media)

You have two options for your final project:
(1) take one of your earlier 100-point stories and make a significant revision and
add a sidebar. Additional reporting should be done. Turn in the original story if you choose this option.

(2) Report and write up a new PAR, 100-point-style story that includes at least three sources.

In addition to your print story, include at least two additional story-telling elements: pictures, poll, graph, audio, video, a map, or a timeline. We will go over these elements in class. These additional elements should add to the storytelling and be handed in through a blog that we will develop in class. You will be evaluated on how well multi-media add to the storytelling.

Deadline: April 23rd in class at the conclusion of the presentation.

Here is an example of a previous P.A.R. multi-media project.

Budgets

Today's class

In today's class, we'll begin discussing budgets. It's a good idea to review pages 171-179 about budgets in your book.

Also, we'll begin discussing the state of the industry and getting a job in journalism. It's a topic we'll also discuss at the end of the semester, too.

Lastly, I have checked in with NewsU and given 20 extra credit points for those who took the assigned NewsU class last week.

NewsU Assignment

Just a reminder that you need to complete a NewsU course before 4:30 p.m. today.

Any one of the free classes at NewU is an option. Here is a link.

I need a report to verify your coursework. Thanks!

Class on March 17th

Hello,

As noted in the syllabus, we will not have class on March 17 as I am at a conference in New York City.

Instead, please take any one of the free classes at NewU. Here is a link.

Have a good Spring Break!

This week's office hours

Hello. Below are my office hours for this week. There are two changes.

Monday 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (This is a special time for this week.)

Tuesday 9:30-11:30 a.m. (I am taking part in a focus group in the afternoon prior to our class.)

Wednesday 5-5:45 p.m.

Thursday 9:30-11:30; 2-4 p.m.

Dr. Voss

Midterm Study Guide

PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORTING MIDTERM REVIEW

Please review readings, class handouts and lecture notes about the following topics. Remember that the PowerPoint presentations with the exact terms are on this website.

• Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA)
• Open Meeting laws/ Sunshine Laws
• Covering Meetings terms and concepts: For example, how do you determine the most significant information/action?
• Covering School terms: For example, what is Title IX? How do we measure the strength of schools?
• Covering Local Government terms: For example, which positions are appointed and elected? Who is in charge of infrastructure?
• Covering Police terms: For example, how are police departments organized?
• Covering Courts terms: For example, what is the standard of evidence in a civil trial and a criminal trial?
• Criminal Justice terms: For example, what is a misdemeanor and a felony?

In-class writing assignment

Hello. Your in-class writing assignment has TWO parts, based on the handout given in class.

(1) The first part is a short story based on the accident report and the additional information - found on page 4. Let's say the accident happened yesterday in your beat community.

(2) The second part of the assignment is a follow-up brief about driver Anthony Gould's first court appearance, two weeks after the accident. This information is on page 4 and 5. Do not assume that readers saw the original article.

There is no length requirement. You have the entire class to write the two pieces. Please email me your articles when completed. Good luck.

Your midterm study guide will be posted soon.

In-class writing assignment

Hello. Just a reminder that there will be an in-class writing assignment today.
Dr. Voss

Covering Courts

Criminal justice terms