To apply and expand upon skills learned in Media Writing and Reporting I as well as other Mass Communication courses. Upon successful completion of the class you should be able:

1. To apply a news sense to finding stories and sources;
2. To have the ability to write a news story whether for a public relations entity, a marketing entity or a news media outlet for both print and online.
3. To apply advanced reporting skills including computer-aided reporting;
4. To apply social media skills to news writing;
5. To evaluate a news story based on criteria established in class including, but not limited to, news value, readability, grammar, spelling and punctuation;
6. To know and apply Associated Press style to ensure consistency;
7. To possess the ability to conduct an interview and gather information;
8. To make decisions based on ethical, legal, technical and journalistic criteria;
9. To produce materials ready for campus distribution;
10. To coordinate coverage of large campus events;
11. To understand basics of covering general news, spot news, meetings and speeches; and
12. To work successfully under deadline pressure.

According to the schedule, students will submit a mutually agreeable set of objectives and measurable outcomes by the deadline.

Grading standards will be determined by the students enrolled in the class and the instructor.

Students are expected to be in class each and every time the class meets. Students will not be able to make up unannounced quizzes given in classes they miss. E-mail Dr. Wilson prior to the absence as a courtesy. Students are responsible for making up any work missed on their own time, working with classmates.

If you need to miss class due to University-sponsored events such as field trips or athletics, please see me as far in advance as possible. You will be required to complete the assigned work on or before the due date, and you will be required to submit an official form from the University before your absence.

Students with excused absences — as determined by the Office of the Dean of Students or other appropriate University departments — may make up major exams on a schedule mutually agreeable with the instructor and the student. Projects and stories with advance deadlines will not be accepted late. Plan ahead.

Any student can be dropped from the class after the fourth absence in accordance with University policy.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 

This schedule may change with little or no notice.

• Jan. 14 | Classes begin
• Jan. 14 | First day of class; discuss plan
• Jan. 16 | Review plan 
• Jan. 18 | Work on plan (no formal class meeting)
• Jan. 21 | Martin Luther King Day (no class)
• Jan. 23 | Draft of plan due
• Jan. 25 | Final plan due and signed
• Feb. 14 | Valentine’s Day
• Feb. 18 | Presidents Day
• Feb. 22-24 | Association of Texas Photography Instructors convention (Arlington, Texas)
• Feb. 28-March 3 | Associated Collegiate Press national convention (LaJolla)
• March 10 | Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m.
• March 17 | St. Patrick’s Day
• March 18-22 | Spring break (no class)
• March 25 | Last day to drop with W
• April 18-19 | Holiday break (no class)
• April 25-29 | Journalism Education Association / National Scholastic Press Association national convention (Anaheim)
• May 3 | Last day of classes; class portfolio of published pieces due
• May 5 | Cinco de Mayo
• May 8 | Final exam, 8 a.m. (online)
• May 10 | Senior documentary presentations
• May 11 | Commencement

Unless otherwise indicated, material is due at the beginning of class. Late work receives a grade of zero.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.