Syllabus: Journalism 353

Contemporary Issues

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:10-12:10 p.m.

Reid 215

 

Instructor:                Wendy Zomparelli

Office:             Reid 118

Office Phone:    (540) 458-8434

Cell:                (540) 556-2345

Email:              zomparelliw@wlu.edu

 

Office Hours:

          Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to noon; afternoon hours by appointment

Tuesday and Thursday hours by appointment

                                                                                     

Required Texts:

n        Writing Opinion for Impact by Conrad C. Fink (Paperback, 384 pages, Blackwell Publishing Limited, 2^nd edition, Oct. 1, 2004.)

 

n        Introduction to Reasoning by Steven Toulmin, Richard Keike and Allan Janik (Paperback, 435 pages, Prentice Hall, 2^nd edition, Oct. 22, 1997.)

 

n        Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark (Hardcover, 272 pages, Little, Brown and Company, Sept. 1, 2006.)

 

Course Objectives:

n        To provide students with practical experience in opinion writing through the exploration of contemporary issues

n        To enable experimentation with other forms of opinion writing, including arts reviews and personal columns

n        To explore the elements of argumentation; to practice building logical arguments and to write them effectively

 

Course Structure:

 

Excellent commentary on the issues of the day requires in-depth grasp of the facts and solid analysis, compellingly written. For that reason, this course will move down two tracks simultaneously. The first spans all 12 weeks: We will discuss the nature, craft and state of opinion writing, with frequent writing assignments based on a range of current topics in the news. “Writing Opinion for Impact” (see “Required Texts,” below) will help provide background for our discussions.

 

The second consists of two special topics, which we will consider sequentially. In the first six weeks, we will explore the elements of argumentation, breaking chains of thought into their components and examining their validity. We’ll be guided by the book “An Introduction to Reasoning,” which uses everyday examples to illustrate the ways in which people typically (and unthinkingly) make claims and assertions, and then try to back them up logically.

 

The second part of track two will be a focus on writing style, guided by “Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer.”

 

In general, we’ll spend a portion of each two-hour class on each track. We will also have frequent discussions about issues in the news and about interesting commentaries class members have read. And we’ll talk about new media and the impact they are having on public discourse.

 

By Nov. 10, students will select an issue on which to focus and will submit a final project of three commentaries of 500 to 700 words by Dec. 10. 

 

In addition, the class will agree on an issue for an oral project called “Seeing More Than One Side.” The instructor will frame the issue as a debate topic, and each class member will prepare arguments pro and con. These arguments will be presented orally, in class; students will not be told in advance which side they will be representing. 

 

Readings:

n        Required texts listed above

n        MDR (Minimum Daily Reading Requirement):

o      The New York Times

o       All front-page articles (with jumps and sidebars)

o       Everything on the op-ed pages (editorials, commentaries, letters to the editor, cartoons, the works)

o       Lead article on the Business section

n        Students are encouraged to spend some time each day browsing other news items and commentaries in other publications, radio, TV and on the Web.

n        Additional articles as assigned

 

Course Policies:

 

n       Your success in this course depends not just on what you learn, but what you contribute. For that reason, unless you are ill, I expect you to attend every class.  If you are unable to attend, let me know in advance.

 

n       Class discussions will, I hope, be lively, with conflicting ideas and beliefs among students, the instructor and guest speakers. Students will be expected to maintain a civil and respectful tone at all times. Ideas may be criticized,  but not people.

 

n       We will have several guest speakers during the term; these are busy people who are making a gift of their time. Come prepared to ask them questions, to pay attention and to be responsive.

 

n       All assignments must be turned in on time.  Late assignments will be docked a full letter grade for each day (or part of a day) that they are late.  

 

n       Accuracy is essential. Your assignment will receive an F if you misspell a proper name (individual, organization, country, etc.), get a key fact wrong or exhibit faulty math.

 

Grading:

n       Quizzes: 20 percent

n       Final individual project: 25 percent

n       Final class project:  10 percent

n       Other written assignments: 35 percent

n       Professionalism, attendance and class participation: 10 percent