As in a modern newsroom, computer literacy will be expected along with writing competency.   Unless otherwise specified by the instructor, all outside class assignments will be posted as Prometheus files in a word processing format that can be edited by the instructor. All writing in the computer lab should be done in Word. 

Tests: There will be no midterm. The final exam will cover the readings and lectures. Among other things, it will test knowledge of the changes in political journalism since the publication of the landmark book, "The Boys on the Bus" by Timothy Crouse. The final will constitute 20 percent of the grade.

Class Assignments: In-class and take-home reporting and writing exercises and quizzes will occur periodically. They will constitute 20 percent of the grade.

Stories: Drawn from actual congressional campaigns developing in the 2000 elections, the stories will be written over the course of the semester for 50 percent of the grade. Students will select a contested race for the U.S. House or Senate. This could include a House district or Senate seat  from a student's home state or in the Washington area. Students should discuss their choice of a race with the instructor.  All stories must be double spaced with standard margins and type size. Students are encouraged to read and watch news media coverage of the 2000 campaigns, but any use of material from that coverage in stories for the class must follow the rules of attribution.  Plagarism will not be tolerated, and students should be familiar with university's honor code.  Reporter notes are subject to request. Each story will count for 10 percent of the grade. Unless otherwise specified by the instructor, deadlines are the start of class on the dates below.
 
 
 
 
 

Note: Rewriting will be allowed for the four major news features, which are stories 1, 2, 3 and 5.  Stories that receive an A may be rewritten for practice, but will not be graded again. Stories that receive a grade of A- to C- may be rewritten for regrading but it will result in no more than one letter improvement. Stories that receive a D or F must be rewritten but they will receive a final grade of no more than a C. Failure to rewrite in these cases will result in an F. All rewrites will be due at the next session of class, unless specified differently by the instructor. 

Participation: Punctuality in attending class and meeting story deadlines will be expected. Unexcused absences will count against the final grade, even if no written assignments are required in class. Students should be prepared to discuss their writing during class and critique the work of others during class discussions. Attention in class will be expected, and e-mailing and other non-instructional uses of the computers during a lecture are prohibited. 

Grade distribution:

Class Assignments:  20%
Stories:  1 - 5:  50% (10% for each story)
Final Exam:  20%
Participation: 10%