Writing 166J
Th 6-9:45 p.m. Oakes 222 and 205
Spring 2001
5 credits

Instructor: Kevin Woodward
Email: kwoodward@yahoo.com or woodward@cats.ucsc.edu
Phone: 831.595.4518 (cell) or 831.459.4574 (UCSC office)
Office hours: Th 4:45-5:30 p.m. Kresge College, Room 216
Class website: www.cruzio.com/~kevinw/writing166j

Course description

This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of researching, writing and publishing content for the online medium. Using a combination of lectures, hands-on labs and assigned projects, we will analyze news sites and online style, learn Internet-specific reporting and research techniques, and develop HTML and Web page design skills.

Together, we'll explore the culture of digital journalism and the key issues facing this rapidly evolving industry. Students will be expected to participate in critical and reporting exercises, online research, conceive and write original stories based on online reporting and to design and produce basic Web pages.

Note: The first part of each week's class will run from approximately 6-7:30 p.m. in Oakes 222. After a 20-minute break, class will resume in Oakes 205 computer lab.

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Prerequisites

Writing 64 or prior journalism experience and familiarity with Macintosh or IBM PC computers is required for this course. You do not have to be a computer nerd (this is a journalism class, not computer science). However, you must realize that computer skills are an integral part of being a journalist in today's (real as well as virtual) world.

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Expectations

Class will begin promptly and students should be prepared to begin work at 6 p.m. sharp. It you aren't in class, you can't learn. Class participation will significantly affect your grade and/or evaluation. Assignments are due on time and will not be accepted if late or incomplete. Remember that you are responsible not only for yourself, but for your team.

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CATS email and Web accounts

All students are required to set up and maintain their own email accounts and Web sites. These accounts are available free of charge to all UCSC students and should be set up and ready for use by the second class meeting.

For more information on email and Internet accounts via the university CATS system, visit the general information page at http://www2.ucsc.edu/cats/sc/help/intro/index.shtml. For information on requesting and setting up your free accounts, visit http://www2.ucsc.edu/cats/sc/help/intro/accounts.shtml.

The CATS Internet Starter Kit (CATS ISK) can configure your computer to connect to the UCSC network and the Internet. It can also install Internet applications such as a Web browser (Netscape), an email program (Eudora), and virus protection. For more information on the ISK, visit http://www2.ucsc.edu/cats/sc/software/isk/doc/help.shtml.

For questions or help on requesting or setting up your account, contact the CATS Information Resource Center at 459-HELP (4357). The IRC is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F and closed for lunch hour. You may also email questions to infocat@cats.ucsc.edu.

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Assignments

Students must keep up with weekly assigned reading and come to class prepared to discuss the topics covered in them. As previously stated, additional online reading will be assigned.

In addition to weekly in-class assignments, course work will consist primarily of the following writing and Web publishing projects:

1. Working in groups and using online resources/reporting techniques developed in class, students will develop a series of stories on a global or social issue of their choice. You will research the issue together and create a background resource. Each student in the group will then write two original stories based on their research.
2. Using the stories and resources developed from the previous project, students will design a Web site along with a plan for regular updates. Students will code each story into HTML, create graphic images and expand on their topic using other presentation methods specific to the online medium.

In addition, over the course of the quarter students will be required to write at least two and no more than three short essays (250-350 words) on topics TBA.

Students should bring one 100MB ZIP disk to each class meeting on which to save their work.

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Evaluations and grading

Your evaluation and/or grade will be determined as follows:

Class participation and weekly assignments: 30 percent
Project 1: 20 percent
Project 2: 40 percent
Short essays: 10 percent

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