SYLLABUS
FOR (Sports Writing and Reporting)
1
Term: Fall, 2005 (August 29 - December 10)
Course Number: (ENG: 11313X)
Instructor: Al Hamnik
Office: None -- Part-time instructor
Office Phone: 219-933-4154 (The Times Newspaper)
E-mail: emailhere@yahoo.com
Home Phone: (optional)
Office Hours: 3 p.m. to midnight.
Instructor Background: (Journalism-English major, CCSJ, class of 1970; sportswriter/columnist for Post-Tribune (22 years) and The Times (13 years)
Course Time: Thursdays, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Course Description: (will focus on developing a writing style that informs, entertains and will hold the reader's attention from start to finish)
Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:
Students in this course will learn first-hand how to interview athletes and coaches at the high school, college and professional levels; how to get their subjects to open up; developing "unique" angles to all stories; avoiding dreaded play-by-play; coping with deadline pressure and developing sources; and how to transform the most mundane topic into a must-read.
Textbooks: "Real Sports Reporting" (in CCSJ bookstore).
Resource materials: 2 books. 1) "Sports Writing." 2) "Sports
Style Guide" (both in CCSJ library).
Learning Strategies: (Lecturing, covering various "live" events, group discussions, guest speakers)
Class Policy for Assignments: Little or no tolerance for work turned in
late.
Grading Scale:
GradePointsA100-92A-91-90B+89-88B87-82B-81-80C+79-78C77-72C-71-70D+69-68D67-62D-61-60F59 and below
Class Policy on Attendance: Missing more than 9 hours of class, without
an excused absence, constitutes an automatic "F"
Class Policy on Electronic Devices: (All cell phones, beepers and pagers
must be TURNED OFF once class begins. Each student is required to purchase a
tape recorder for this class. A basic model, with 3 tapes included, can be
found locally at under $25.)
Course Outline:
Class Dates: Topics/Assignments:
Week 1
1) Goals, objectives of the class
2) Becoming a story teller; being
the eyes and ears of the reader
3) Featurizing
the game/event and avoiding dull play-by- play. Developing unique angles to
your stories without always going with the obvious
4) handing
out a complete outline of this course in general
Week 2
1) Dreaded deadlines and tricks of
the trade in how to handle them
2) Building and protecting sources
3) Operating the tape recorder as
a work aide, so as not to intimidate your subject
Class Participation: (Group discussions will be encouraged and participation
will figure heavily in grading. Despite 35 years in the business, I continue to
learn and hone my craft. A good writer is ego free and willing to keep an open
mind for even their biggest critics)
Blackboard users: Please note that if you are using Blackboard, change your password and email address. If you cannot log onto Blackboard, contact computer services at x366. Once in Blackboard if you have any problems accessing content or using Blackboard contact your instructor
Center for Academic Excellence:
Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.
Statement of Plagiarism:
If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.
Please note:
Citation Guidelines:
Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.). All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.
Withdrawal from Classes Policy:
After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. The Registrar must receive written request for withdrawal by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed.
An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).