Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
JOUR D090.
Course Title (CB02)
Introduction to Multimedia Reporting
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Provides an introduction to multimedia storytelling with a journalism emphasis. Explores use of video, photos, audio, animation and text to convey interactive news and feature stories through the internet and other electronic media. Includes basic journalism concepts of ethics and law, critical thinking, research and synthesis.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course focuses on specific multimedia reporting skills that employers in journalism, business and government are looking for. It is C-ID compliant and transfers to CSUs that offer multimedia reporting classes and journalism majors. The course is part of the Journalism AA-T and AA degrees at °®¶¹´«Ã½. The Journalism Advisory Board suggested the course as preparation for careers in the industry.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Assignments

  1. Take quizzes, discuss in class and write short essay answers evaluating online news content.
  2. Create journalistic web, blog and social media posts demonstrating journalistic content and use of links and embeds.
  3. Create a news video that includes interviews, transitions and a variety of shots.
  4. Create an audio report or audio slideshow that includes interviews, transitions and a variety of sounds.
  5. Create a graphic to illustrate a journalistic story or database.
  6. Create a web, blog or social media story that integrates two or more of: original journalistic post, video, audio and/or graphic.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Quizzes, in-class discussions and short essays to to demonstrate analytical skills, evaluated according to checklists and rubrics for evaluating web content.
  2. Student-created audio, video and graphic assignments evaluated primarily according to journalistic content and stated purpose, and secondarily according to mastery of equipment and software.
  3. Student-created online content including stories, social media posts and audio, video and graphic projects, including a final project, evaluated according to application of ethical and legal decision-making.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • A classroom/laboratory equipped as a news room: computers with word processing, graphic and video software; internet access; cameras; camera peripherals; portable voice recorders; basic supplies

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Briggs, Mark. "Journalism Next: A Practical Guide to Digital Reporting and Publishing." 3rd ed, 2015.
Levinson, Paul. "New New Media." 2nd ed. Pearson, 2014.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Luckie, Mark. "The Digital Journalist's Handbook." CreateSpace, 2012.
McAdams, Mindy. "Reporter's Guide to Multimedia Proficiency." University of Florida. Free online booklet licensed under Creative Commons.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Employ journalistic reporting and writing skills to produce audio and video media stories.
  • Construct news stories for online sites, blogs and social media.
  • Edit audio, video and photos for digital journalistic stories.
  • Interpret and apply ethical and legal standards to works created.

CSLOs

  • Critically evaluate and differentiate news websites, social media and blogs and their content for legitimacy and reliability of information.

  • Research and create journalistic stories in audio, video and graphic formats using various recording devices and software applications.

  • Apply ethical and legal standards to creating journalistic online content for websites and social media.

Outline

  1. Employ journalistic reporting and writing skills to produce audio and video media stories.
    1. News values - why this story now?
    2. The 5 W's and H - who, what, when, where, why, how?
    3. Broadcast journalism style vs. print style
    4. Determining the best way to tell a given story.
  2. Construct news stories for online sites, blogs and social media.
    1. Online style vs. print style.
    2. Creating links and embedding video.
    3. YouTube optimization.
    4. Getting views, likes and clicks.
    5. Search engine optimization.
  3. Edit audio, video and photos for digital journalistic stories.
    1. Computer editing software.
    2. Mobile editing software.
    3. Jump cuts, ambient sound, natural sound, sound-on-tape.
    4. Ethics of editing decisions.
    5. Aesthetics of journalistic stories.
  4. Interpret and apply ethical and legal standards to works created.
    1. Journalism ethics: Truth-telling, respect for sources, objectivity, avoiding conflict of interest.
    2. Maintaining the integrity of audio- and video-recorded interviews.
    3. Media law: libel, privacy, copyright.
    4. The First Amendment as it applies to online and social media content.
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