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Monday, January 7, 2019

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Vol XCIII, No. 311

Independent News Grading

Syllabus and General Information

500 points possible

160 points for participation (40 pts. a month)

120 points on attendance (10 pts. a meeting)

120 points on story pitches (10 pts. a meeting)

70 points for final

30 points for mid-term critique

Attendance and Schedule

Indy Practicum:

The objective of this course is to teach you all you need to know about working for a news media organization in your respective field in a work-like environment.

The Independent News Organization features a print publication, an online publication and video production. The Indy also has a business office and relies heavily on social media for support across all departments and mediums.

ENG 250 is for introductory level practicum students.

ENG 350 is recommended for editors or those who have completed the 250 level and wish to continue as senior staff.

ENG 450 is for news media internship students who have secured journalism/news media positions outside of the Indy.

You must be in class every Monday, and you must be on time. Editors can be excused from their positions and staffers will see grade drops for excessive tardies.

There will be an editors meeting every day before class at 4:40. This meeting will be an opportunity for the editors to discuss any issues and to provide departmental updates to the group. Any staffer who wishes to attend is more than welcome to.

Staffers need to be in the media center, ready to work by 5:15 p.m. Attendance will be taken by Bobbi.

Your daily duties will vary based on your departmental assignment. If you are ever confused about what you should be doing, make sure you speak with your editor, Alex, or Bobbi.

The Indy is more of a job than a traditional class. You must be self-motivated and organized to succeed.

Your editors have office hours. These office hours will be posted ASAP. Please use them.

“Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations.”

– George Orwell

Extra Information

Leadership Structure

Tips and tricks...

Who's Your Boss?

Practicum Director: Bobbi Maiers

Content Adviser: Faron Scott

Editor in Chief: Alex Semadeni

Business Director: Ryan Torres

Design Editor: Shelby Martin

Multimedia Editor: Colton Branstetter

Managing Editor: Becca Day

Social Media Editor: Faith Owen

Ad Sales: Anna Thorne

Event Planning: Elena Welding

Lead Reporter: Benjamin Mandile

Deadlines are not negotiable...you can be fired and given an "F" for not turning in your news assignments.

The Indy is a small business which you are now a part of so "show up."

Record your interviews and make sure your interviewees know that they are being recorded.

Use your stylebook to answer style questions, find photo guidelines and see what your journalism peers are putting out.

ALWAYS answer texts and phone calls from your editors.

Libel is serious. Avoid at all costs.

Front load your assignments (interviews, phone calls, photos) because things will come up and you need to be prepared.

Have fun and learn something!