JOUR 210_11708

JOUR 210 - 11708, 1
Journalism 210: Writing, Reporting and Ethics II
Contemporary Public Affairs Reporting
George B. Sánchez-Tello Spring 2015
Class Room MZ 360 Class 11708
Office MZ 337 8 a.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
(213) 379-0564
George.sanchez@csun.edu
@SanchezTello
***
I remember nothing of my first reporting class, but I remember my first experience
reporting. My professor, Doc. Robertson, sent us to Oakland City Hall. He gave us a
midnight deadline to file a story from the city council meeting. One story caught my
attention: government officials were using eminent domain to evict a Baptist church.
At that moment, I didn’t know anything about eminent domain nor did I particularly care
about the church’s faith. I was concerned that a community was being forced out of its
home. When the church’s leader finished addressing the council during public comment,
I followed him into the hallway and asked for an interview. I began by stating I was a
journalism student from the University of San Francisco. He smiled.
We crossed the bay that night with precious time to crank out a story. I don’t remember
the grade, though I know it wasn’t an A. The grade didn’t matter: this was the beginning.
***
I designed this class as a journalism workshop. Journalism is many things – a
profession, a means to an income as well as a craft. As a craft, you only learn by doing
and you only get better by doing more and more. With each mistake, find the lesson in the
error. This class should build on what you learned in Journalism 110 and to prepare you
for Journalism 310 and 315. As a workshop, theoretical discussion and classroom
lessons should be applicable to coverage of public affairs through beat reporting.
On assignment in Salinas,
CA with my reporting
mentor, Julie Reynolds.
Who is your mentor?

JOUR 210 - 11708, 2
Department of Journalism
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism is designed for those who seek careers in a
wide variety of contemporary news and media options, including print and online
newspaper/magazine editorial, graphics and photojournalism/videography; television and
radio news; new and ethnic media as well as public relations.
Course Catalog Description
Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 110 or its equivalent. Continuation of news
reporting with coverage of public affairs beats, including police, courts and government.
Writing primarily in print, but also in broadcast news, online news and public relations
formats. Ethics emphasized. Off-campus reporting and statistical journalism included. Six
hours of classroom and lab activity. To be in this class, you must have passed JOUR 110
with a C or better. This class is a requirement to graduate with a degree in journalism.
Course Description
Journalism 210 beats include: business, labor, criminal justice, public safety, education,
environment, government, immigration and transportation. Within the practice of beat
reporting, our goal should be for your growth in contemporary newsroom writing styles.
Over the course of the course and beat coverage, you will develop two feature length
stories: the first to commemorate the anniversary of a community event and the second to
be developed from your beat.
Student Learning Objectives
 Students will be able to write for a diverse audience, using proper grammar and
punctuation, word usage and spelling, sentence and storytelling structures across
multiple journalistic formats.
 Students will be able to gather and analyze information, including basic numerical
concepts, using journalistic storytelling techniques, such as interviewing,
observation, and researching primary and secondary sources.
Course Objectives
 Report and write 10 stories related to assigned beats.
 Report and write on deadline.
 Produce two feature assignments utilizing multiple formats for storytelling,
including photography, audio and video.
 Develop a diverse pool of sources, including official documents and reports.
 Discuss and debate ethics of reporting.
 File a public records request.
 Locate and retrieve information from an official document.
 Use a dataset for original reporting.
 Attend one external public meeting.
 Self-promote, including Twitter, blogs, Facebook and other social media.
 Display ability to write according to Associated Press Style.
 Analyze contemporary practices in beat reporting and trends in current events as
it applies to student beats.

JOUR 210 - 11708, 3
Assignments and Expectations
This is a class designed as workshop: you will work and in this case, do reporters work.
This begins by thinking of yourself as a reporter, with all the privilege and responsibility
you think that entails (We will discuss this throughout the semester). It may be that at the
end of this class, or the end of your time in the department, you find you don’t want to be
a reporter. You are also a student, which includes a exploration of opportunities.
Discussion: As a weekly workshop, our time together is limited. Therefore, it is
important not only reporters attend class but also that reporters participate in discussion.
This includes, but is not limited, to asking questions, participating in debate, sharing
work, offering constructive criticism and leading informal presentations. If you cannot
make class, contact me 24 hours before our meeting.
Publish: Reporters should seek for their work to be published. This includes, but is not
limited, to student media, such as the The Sundial, El Nuevo Sol, KCSN News, On Point,
Scene Magazine, Matador News, Pop-Up Newsrooms and Valley View News, as well as
local media. When feasible, I will assist with pitches to local media.
Weekly Beat Assignments: Reporters will develop a beat for the duration of the semester.
There should be a minimum of two reporters on the same beat. Competition and
collaboration are part of the profession and this class. By the third class meeting,
reporters will have due weekly assignments from their beat. Weekly assignments should
be uploaded to Moodle on a word document approximately 45 minutes after class starts,
at the completion of our newsroom section. Weekly assignments should be approximately
500 words, double spaced, with reporters byline on upper left hand corner, followed by
three suggested headlines. Reporters should follow Associated Press guidelines for
grammar and writing style.
Beat assignments will be worth five points each and graded according to: assigned word
count; lede; basic elements of a news story (who, what, when, where, why and how);
accurate spelling, grammar and Associated Press style; and a minimum of three sources.
A total of 10 daily assignments will be turned in over the course of the semester.
Promotion: Reporters need to lead readers to their stories. Therefore, reporters are
expected to promote their work online. At a minimum, promotion is worth one and half
points for tweeting a link, to me, posting to the class Facebook account or padlet site and
e-mailing story to colleagues. Extra credit will be awarded for additional approaches to
online promotion. In total, promotion of 12 assignments is worth 18 points. An extra six
points are available for promotion beyond the minimum required tweet, Facebook and e-
mail blast.
The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large
matter—’tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.”
- Mark Twain

JOUR 210 - 11708, 4
If you do not want your stories public, online, post to the Facebook closed group:
https://www.facebook.com/georgebsancheztelloCSUN.
If you would like your story public, online, and available to readers outside this class,
post to: http://padlet.com/georgebsanchez/JOUR210
Newsroom: You are reporter; the class is newsroom. Your stories are due on deadline,
which is approximately 45 minutes after class begins. During that first 45 minutes of
class – which we call newsroom – you will have time to edit, revise and seek assistance
from fellow reporters (your classmates) as well as an editor (myself).
Beat Presentation: While there are common approaches to reporting, each reporter works
a little differently from another. Beat presentations are an opportunity to share your
approach to finding stories, developing sources, interviewing, research, writing, editing,
promotion and multimedia. Plan on a 10 to 15 minute presentation.
Feature Assignment: Feature-length stories, investigations and profiles often arise from
familiarity with a subject and beat. Reporters are expected to complete one feature
assignment derived from her or his beat at the conclusion of the semester. Feature
assignment is worth 10 points and will be graded according to: assigned word count
(1,200); lede; basic elements of a news story; accurate spelling, grammar and style; a
minimum of five sources; multi-media presentation.
Anniversary Assignment: Over the course of covering a beat, anniversaries will arise.
Reporters are expected to turn in their anniversary story before the semester mid-term.
Anniversary assignment is worth 10 points and will be graded according to: assigned
word count (1,200); lede; basic elements of a news story; accurate spelling, grammar and
style; a minimum of five sources; multi-media presentation.
For the purpose of this course, reporters will select an anniversary feature on one of the
following events:
1. 1965 Watts Riot
2. 2000 establishment of Central American Studies at CSUN
3. 2013 Supreme Court Overturn of the Defense of Marriage Act
Associated Press Quiz: Competency of Associated Press (AP) Style is an expectation of
most newsrooms. Therefore, reporters will be expected to read and review the style
guide. Four AP quizzes will be given over the course of the semester, totaling 10 points
Public Records Request: Accessing and reviewing public records and reports is an
important aspect of beat reporting. This includes government reports, court files, criminal
records and property records. Reporters will file at least one public records request
relevant to her or his beat. The assignment is worth five points.

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Public Meeting Assignment: Public Affairs reporting relies on regular coverage of public
meetings. These meetings are often where relationships are developed with sources.
Reporters are expected to attend at least one public meeting relevant to their beat. The
meeting and any relevant decisions should be the focus of at least one daily assignment.
The public meeting assignment is worth five points.
Dataset Request: Dataset reporting takes a large set of raw data and creates fields for
categorization and study. Dataset reporting is now an expectation of public affairs
reporting. Over the past decades, news organizations have used dataset reporting to
examine how public funds are used, including pensions, wages, benefits and contracts as
well as student performance. Reporters are expected to seek a dataset relevant to her or
his beat. The assignment is worth five points.
COURSE POLICY
COMMUNICATION: As a workshop, you are reporter, the class is our newsroom and
I am your editor. As your editor, I will make myself available to you as I am able and as
is appropriate. Make best use of our time together, either during my office hours or
during class. Unless the issue is urgent, I reserve the right to respond with 36 hours to an
e-mail sent to: George.sanchez@csun.edu. You may call me during the work day, but I
am may not answer after 5 p.m. unless you have given me notice you are in the field or I
have given the class permission to call in the event of a deadline. In general, I will not
respond to text messages unless I have been given advance, written notice that you are
reporting from a meeting and cannot call or e-mail. As a reporter, just as you would act
and dress professionally, write as a professional would – this means complete sentences
and correct grammar. Acronyms are not acceptable unless in reference to an
organization or policy. Very simply, no OMG, SMH, LOL, etc.
For class assignments, I use turnitin, a web-based program that reviews stories for
plagiarism. The program also allows me to make detailed line edits. While you will
receive a grade with a general list of comments and suggestions for improvement, make
sure to review your assignments on turnitin after I have graded them. This will help you
improve your writing and grade.
At the end of each week, I will also send out a document entitled Editor’s Notes. This
will be a summary of common errors and suggestions for improvements as well as
general comments. Editor’s notes will be sent out via Moodle and posted to padlet.
In addition to communication in person, either in my office or in the classroom, the class
has a Padlet page. The site will be used to post class assignments, post examples and
weekly editor’s notes. Our padlet site can be found here:
http://padlet.com/georgebsanchez/JOUR210
EXCUSED ABSENCES: Excused absences consist of school-related field trips with
proper documentation, documented illness (verifying you were too sick to attend class, a
family emergency) or other extenuating circumstances (determined at my discretion and
only considered with proper documentation). Please note that excused absence

JOUR 210 - 11708, 6
documentation must be copied on a full sheet of paper, with your name, signature,
and the date/s missed written on it—keep your original documentation until the end
of the semester.
If you are going to miss class or a class activity you must send me a message by email, 24
hours in advance, saying you will not be there and why. There are no opportunities to
make up for missed work. Once a deadline is blown, you will not have an opportunity to
make up the assignment.
MISSED CLASS WORK: If you have an unexcused or excused absence you are held
accountable for material covered in those classes as it relates to all future assignments. It
is your responsibility to contact a fellow student to find out what you missed.
CLASS PARTICIPATION and RESPONSIBILITIES: As a workshop and skills-
oriented class, attendance is critical. Journalism is a craft learned by practice. Therefore,
your participation as a writer, reporter and full engagement in class discussion and debate
is important. Your participation is critical to the success of this class. Participation is
mandatory and requires you put forth your best effort in (a) reporting; (b) writing (c)
editing and (d) discussing your peers work. Attendance is worth five points.
FILING ASSIGNMENTS: Weekly assignments should be uploaded to Moodle on a
word document approximately 45 minutes after class has begun or at the conclusion of
weekly newsroom workshop. Weekly assignments should be approximately 500 words,
double spaced, with reporters byline on upper left hand corner, followed by three
suggested headlines. Reporters must follow Associated Press guidelines for grammar and
writing style. If you are unable to attend class, you are nonetheless expected to upload
your story to Moodle that day. Stories filed after the deadline will receive no credit.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND PLAGARISM
The maintenance of academic integrity and quality education is the responsibility of each
student within this university and the California State University system. Cheating or
plagiarism in connection with an academic program at a campus is listed in Section
41301, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, as an offense for which a student may be
expelled, suspended, or given a less severe disciplinary sanction. Please see
http://www.csun.edu/~vcspc00g/303/achonesty.html.
The academic honor system is based on the premise that each student has the
responsibility 1) to uphold the highest standard of academic integrity, 2) to refuse to
tolerate violations of academic integrity in the University community, and 3) to foster a
high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the University community.
Furthermore, the foundation of journalism is built upon respect between the reporter and
her or his sources as well as respect between the reporter and her or his audience.
Plagiarism, cheating and unverifiable sources are grounds for dismissal from a
newsroom. That standard applies to our classroom, which is effectively a newsroom.

JOUR 210 - 11708, 7
Persons violating the Academic Honor Code on any outline, speech, paper, test, or
assignment in this class will receive a minimum penalty of a grade of zero (0) for the
assignment in question, and possible additional penalties—including a failing grade in the
course, indication of the infraction in one’s permanent file, and possible expulsion from
the University. In short, a student committing any act of academic dishonesty will run a
serious risk of harming his or her future educational or employment opportunities.
If I suspect plagiarism or turnit in discovers more than 5% of an assignment matches
another body of work, I will request a meeting. During the meeting, I will explain my
suspicion and provide any evidence of plagiarism. You will be given the opportunity to
explain yourself. Following the discussion, I have the discretion to report you to the chair
of the Department of Journalism, the dean or create a written contract agreed by you.
“In journalism just one fact that is false prejudices the entire work.”
– Gabriel García-Marquez
UNFORESEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES: If you suffer extenuating circumstances
during the semester that prevent your successful completion of the course, please inform
me immediately. I am committed to supporting you during the semester, but will not
address such concerns after the fact. An “Incomplete” will be considered only if a
minimum of 80% of the class work has been completed. An incomplete is given solely at
my discretion.
ADDING & DROPPING: According to CSUN’s regulations, if you enroll in a course
and do not officially drop it, you will remain enrolled and will receive a grade, even if
you never attend. There are no “automatic” drops and I cannot drop you from the roster.
ADA STATEMENT: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
all qualified students enrolled in this course are entitled to “reasonable accommodations.”
Please notify me during the first week of class of any accommodations needed for the
course. Students with disabilities must register with the Center on Disabilities and
complete a services agreement each semester. Staff within the Center will verify the
existence of a disability based on the documentation provided and approved
accommodations. Students who are approved for test taking accommodations must
provide an Alternative Testing Form signed by a counselor in the Center on Disabilities
prior to making testing arrangements. The Center on Disabilities is located in Bayramian
Hall, room 110. Staff can be reached at 818.677.2684.

JOUR 210 - 11708, 8
GRADING CRITERIA: This is a college course, and you are expected to perform as
such. Please plan, prepare, and participate accordingly.
Total Possible Points Assignment
60 Weekly Assignments
18 Promotion
10 Feature Assignment
10 Anniversary Assignment
10 Associated Press Quiz
5 Public Record Request
5 Public Meeting Brief
5 Dataset Request
5 Attendance
Extra Credit:
6 Additional Promotion
6 Published work from class assignment
DISTRIBUTION: Grade distribution is a hard scale, meaning there will be no rounding
up or down. For example, the score of 89.6% points out of a possible 100% points B+
(not an A-).
A 100%-94% B- 83% - 80% D+ 69% - 67%
A- 93% - 90% C+ 79% - 77% D 66% - 64%
B+ 89% - 87% C 76% - 74% D- 63% - 60%
B 86% - 84% C- 73% - 70% F <59%
Required Texts
1. The 2014 Associated Press Style Guide and Briefing on Media Law
2. Strunk, William and E.B. White. The Elements of Style. New York: Longman,
2000. Print.
3. Reynolds, Julia. Blood in the Fields: Ten Years Inside California’s Nuestra
Familia Gang. Chicago: Chicago Press Review, 2014. Print.
4. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press: California Open Government
Guide http://rcfp.org/california-open-government-guide
Required Media
1. Serial Podcast

JOUR 210 - 11708, 9
This syllabus is subject to change.
I will make every effort to notify you in advance about any
changes.
Calendar
January 24th
Discussion: Introductions & Class Overview
Jan. 31 Discussion: Beats, Community
Coverage & Ethics
Discussion: Serial
DUE: Community Profile
Serial: Episodes 1 & 2
Workshop: Community Profile Review
Workshop: Ethics
Beat Selection
Associated Press Quiz #1
February 7th
Discussion: Anniversary Feature
Discussion: Serial
DUE: Beat Assignment #1
Workshop: Story Review
Beat Presentation: Business
Feb. 14th
Discussion: Sources
Discussion: Serial
Beat Presentation: Labor
Feb. 21st
Discussion: Public Records
Discussion: Serial
Beat Presentation: Education
Feb. 28th
Discussion: Data Set Reporting
Discussion: Serial
Workshop: Anniversary Assignment
Beat Presentation: Environment
March 7th
Discussion: DUE: Beat Assignment #5
DUE: Anniversary Assignment
Workshop: Anniversary Assignment

JOUR 210 - 11708, 10
Beat Presentation: CSUN Associated Students
March 14th
Discussion:
Discussion: Serial
Beat Presentation: Los Angeles City Council
March 21st
Discussion:
Discussion: Blood in the Fields
Reading: B.I.F.
Beat Presentation: Immigration
March 28th
Discussion: Feature Assignment
Reading: B.I.F.
Beat Presentation: Criminal Justice
April 4th
Discussion:
Reading: B.I.F.
Beat Presentation: Public Safety
SPRING BREAK
April 18th
Discussion:
Guest:
Reading: B.I.F.
Beat Presentation: Transportation
April 25th
Discussion: Journalism Training
Guest:
DUE: Reflection
Workshop:
May 2nd
Discussion: DUE: Feature Draft
Workshop: Feature Assignment Draft
Final due 9 a.m. – May 9th
, 2015 via Moodle

JOUR 210_11708

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