Mr.

Douse | Journalism
Rm. 203 | Conference: 5th Period
tdouse@houstonisd.org | www.mrdouse.com

Syllabus
I. Course Objective
This class is dedicated to the craft of writing, editing, photographing, filming, and
documenting news. Students will be responsible for the writing and producing of the weekly
MLCPA news broadcast, Knightly News.

II. Materials

3-ring binder for storing class handouts and notes

Small notebook for taking notes and conducting interviews
Pens (dark blue & black ink) & Pencils
Headphones

III. Course Expectations

Requirements for good standing in this course:
A. Be Proactive and Prepared
B. Be Punctual and Present
C. Be Respectful and Responsible
Production passes: Multimedia and video production students are allowed production passes to
allow them to take pictures/video on campus while the teacher remains in the classroom.
Production passes are a privilege. Students must stay within established campus boundaries and
not disrupt other classes. This privilege will be denied students who do not use it responsibly, which
may also result in lowered or failing project scores.

IV. Corrective Action

Students who choose not to follow the expectations will earn the following consequences:
Step 1 Warning
Step 2 Teacher/Student Conference
Step 3 Phone Call Home/Detention
Step 4 Parent Conference
Step 5 Referral/Removal from Classroom or Course

V. Course Learning Outcomes & Objectives

To develop skills in journalistic writing, editing, photography, and news broadcasting.
To develop computer skills in touch-typing, word processing, desktop publishing, photo
management and manipulation, and video editing.
To produce Knightly News, the MLCPA students news video broadcasts.
To learn together with respect, responsibility, communication, and cooperation.

VI. Examples of Class Activities

Reading, writing, lecture, discussions, hands-on activities, drawing pictures and diagrams,
taking photos, and other activities to learn about journalism, journalistic writing,
photography and photo journalism, layout and design, desktop publishing, computer file
management, digital photo manipulation, and other topics.
Using various computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, desktop
publishing, photo manipulation, video editing, and more. Using keyboarding software to
develop touch-typing skills.
Going on assignment around campus to take pictures, interview people, conduct
surveys and polls, conduct research about people and events, and other duties as
assigned.
Lunchtime, after school and evening work, attending sports games and other school
events as reporters and photographers, and working diligently to complete all
assignments before each publication deadline.

VII. Typical Weekly Production Schedule

Monday
Complete
planning
Filming

Tuesday
Filming

Wednesday

Thursday

Complete
filming
Begin editing
broadcast

Complete
editing
Produce final
broadcast

Friday
Post broadcast
Editorial meeting
for following
week

VIII. Course Evaluation

Throughout the course students will complete projects, presentations, class work and other
assignments. Major presentations and projects will count for 50% of the total course grade.
Class work, homework and other minor grades will make up the remaining 50% of the grade.
All HISD and campus grading policies will be followed.
Grading Scale:

A: 90-100

B: 80-89

C: 75-79

D: 70-74

F: 69 - 0