High Journalism 1

List of topics broken down by segment and module.

Segment One

Module One

• The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution
• Freedom of press
• History of American journalism
• First amendment issues
• Advancements in technology
• Types of news mediums
• Characteristics of a journalist
• Gatekeepers of journalism
• Different types of journalist

Module Two

• Careers in journalism
• How to conduct research
• Analyzing the reliability of sources
• Informative news reporting
• The inverted pyramid and writing a lead
• Elements of strong writing (grammar)
• Interviewing a source
• Formal vs. informal writing
• Revision process and self-editing

Segment Two

Module Three

• Feature story writing (narrative writing)
• Code of ethics
• Making ethical decisions in news reporting
• Slander and libel
• Narrative writing techniques
• Using images and technology to enhance writing
• Ethical sharing of images
• Using details and anecdotes to tell a story
• Writing effective conclusions
• Revision process and self-editing
• Giving a strong presentation

Module Four

• Argument techniques and appeals
• Pathos, ethos, and logos
• How to recognize propaganda
• Editorial story writing (argument writing)
• Claim and counterclaim
• Listening and speaking skills
• Evaluating a speech for effectiveness
• Identifying credible sources
• Writing a rebuttal
• Varying syntax
• Revision process and self-editing

None

Besides engaging students in challenging curriculum, the course guides students to reflect on their learning and evaluate their progress through a variety of assessments. Assessments can be in the form of practice lessons, multiple choice questions, writing assignments, projects, research papers, oral assessments, and discussions. This course will use the state-approved grading scale. Each course contains a mandatory final exam or culminating project that will be weighted at 20% of the student’s overall grade.***

***Proctored exams can be requested by FLVS at any time and for any reason in an effort to ensure academic integrity. When taking the exam to assess a student’s integrity, the exam must be passed with at least a 59.5% in order to earn credit for the course.  

To achieve success, students are expected to submit work in each course weekly. Students can learn at their own pace; however, “any pace” still means that students must make progress in the course every week. To measure learning, students complete self-checks, practice lessons, multiple choice questions, projects, discussion-based assessments, and discussions. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with teachers; the minimum requirement is monthly. When teachers, students, and parents work together, students are successful.