JOURNALISM 3604

                      RADIO AND TELEVISION NEWS

                                          Spring 2006

Mondays, 8-10:30 a.m.                                                Class Schedule

In Armory 209                                                             Assignments

Professor Lee Hood, Ph.D.

Office: Armory 113C                                                                            Office hours:

    303-492-2572 (office)                                                                         Mondays 10:45-11:30              

    720-887-9877 (home)                                                                         Thursdays 2:00-3:30

    e-mail Lee.Hood@Colorado.Edu                                                             (or by appointment on

    Web site: http://spot.colorado.edu/~hood                                                  Tuesday afternoons)        

Ø     COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this course is to introduce you to the basic techniques of broadcast news writing.  The first part of the semester we will concentrate on broadcast basics and writing for radio, then we will add the visual aspects of television.  We will also include some exposure to on-line presentations.  You will learn the basics of script formatting for radio and TV, standard terms used in news production, the reasons behind story selection and placement, and how to produce a newscast.  You will be encouraged to develop a critical eye and ear as you watch and listen to newscasts: What was done well?  What could be done better?  Just because you hear a professional do it does not mean that's the best way!  Becoming a critical listener and viewer will help you improve your own writing.     

Ø     WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Required Text: Writing Right for Broadcast and Internet News, by Sharyl Attkisson and Don R.Vaughan (Allyn & Bacon Publishers, 2003) 

You should subscribe to a local newspaper, watch TV news broadcasts, listen to radio newscasts and/or follow credible on-line news sources daily to keep up on current events and to follow ongoing stories.  Knowledge of current events will greatly enhance your success in this class, as well as help you develop habits and interests you will need for professional success in a broadcast journalism or production career.   

            Other things you need:

            -- A computer text storage device (zip disk or flash drive)

            -- A stopwatch or other timing device

            -- Access to an audio recording device

Ø     GRADING

Half of your final grade will be based on your writing assignments, both in class and outside.  In general, you'll do well if your writing is:

            -- accurate (the most important criterion),

            -- clear (good broadcast style),

            -- interesting and creative,

            -- on time.

Deadlines are very important in broadcast news and production.  If you miss a deadline your story doesn't make the air or you create hardships for many other people. The in-class equivalent will only create a hardship for you -- late assignments will receive a grade reduction.      

Besides the writing assignments, expect several unannounced quizzes throughout the semester, on current events and the assigned readings. 

You will also be graded on your attendance and class participation, and you are expected to participate in a class discussion board on news coverage and other appropriate media issues.  You will be required to contribute to the discussion board at least three times during the semester.

Your mid-term exam will consist of two parts: 1) a take-home exam; 2) an in-class assignment, to allow you to demonstrate the skills you acquire in the first half of the semester.  This exercise will be conducted in class on March 6.  In lieu of a final exam, you will turn in a final project that will be television-focused.  It will be due Thursday, May 11 at 10 a.m., which coincides with the scheduled time for the final in the class.  You may turn it in early if you wish.

            Grading will be divided as follows:

                        Writing Assignments                                         50%

                        Other Assignments & Quizzes                           15%

                        Mid-Term and Final Project                              25%

                        Attendance/Participation                                   10%

Ø     ATTENDANCE AND OTHER FACTS OF LIFE

Being in class every week, and being on time, are vital. The things we'll do in class will be impossible to make up.  Absences will be excused in the event of a genuine emergency or serious illness, but please notify me prior to class. 

If you will miss class due to religious observances, please notify me as soon as possible and before the class period.   

Academic Honesty: CU has adopted an honor code to promote a culture of academic integrity within the University.  The code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/

A word of warning: your work must be your own.  Turning in work that is not your own will result in failure on the assignment and possible dismissal from the class and/or other actions provided for in the honor code.  Plagiarism includes turning in written assignments in which you represent someone else's work as your own and/or do not properly attribute source material.    

In addition: You are not permitted to turn in work that has been completed for another course.    

Special Accommodations: If you qualify for academic accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services (DS) early in the semester so that your needs may be addressed.  DS determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.  For more information, contact 303-492-8671, Willard 322, www.colorado.edu/sacs/disabilityservices.

 Ø     ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR  

             I have 18 years experience in television news, including 10 years as a full-time producer.  In Denver, I produced the 10 p.m. newscast at KUSA (Channel 9), and have also worked at KCNC (Channel 4), KMGH (Channel 7) and KWGN (Channel 2).  My newscasts earned honors including regional Emmy’s (hard news and spot news) and a Colorado Broadcasters Association best newscast award.  Before returning home to Colorado, I produced and anchored newscasts in Huntsville, Alabama.  I also have experience in reporting (both news and sports), photography and editing, and worked in radio and newspapers before starting my television career.

I hold a Ph.D. in Communication from CU.  My dissertation was on the audience relationship to local TV news.  I have a master's degree from CU and a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri.  I have been on the faculty at CU since January 2000.