Course Details
Specifically for this class:
To help keep track of what each student is doing — such as writing to the class blog or your blog, practicing software such as Dreamweaver, researching or writing stories, reading the week's links, or anything else dealing directly with the class — you will need to fill out a work log and turn it in at the start of every Tuesday class beginning Feb. 9.

Although there is no textbook, students are required to own a USB drive for transfers of files and also required to read the online readings that are assigned.

Web page creation: You will need to learn the basics of Dreamweaver to work on the class news site. (More complete Dreamweaver expertise can be gained through C&J 479: Electronic Publishing.) Therefore, it might be best to create your résumé or personal page on CIRT lab computers with Dreamweaver on the university server. However, if desired, you can use other free or paid Web page creation software for your personal page such as Google Sites (for Google members), Apple's iWeb, HomePage (for .mac members), download.com, etc. If you use software other than Dreamweaver, however, you must be competent and self-sufficient in that software.

Because advanced reporting students should be familiar with different kinds of computers, the class will occasionally switch between the Mac and the Windows computer labs.

Blogger is Google's free blogging service. There are others out there, such as TypePad. It doesn't matter what blog service you use.

Gmail is Google's free e-mail service. All of us use the University of New Mexico's e-mail system, but you also will need a Gmail account if you take advantage of other free Google services such as  Google Sites and the Google Calendar.

Class Web site:
A web site is maintained for this class at the following URL: http://www.unm.edu/~herrick/cj475
The site contains class announcements, URLs for other relevant journalism Web sites, and class information.

Attendance:
Even if you have an excused absence, it is your responsibility — not the instructor’s — to find out what you missed in any class and complete any missed assignments before the next class meeting. Pop quizzes and unannounced in-class exercises that are missed cannot be made up without advance notice to the instructor and an excused absence. Excessive absences will result in a student being dropped from the class. Assignments are due for everyone at the same time, regardless of whether you are in attendance. E-mail your assignments if you cannot be present or they will be given a late penalty. On the day of class or earlier, you can notify the instructor by e-mail, telephone or in person if an illness or conflict necessitates your absence from class. Perfect attendance will be awarded a bonus.

Pop quizzes:
In each half of the course, one or more unscheduled quizzes will be held on material from the online readings.

Assignments:
Reading and/or writing assignments will be required as assigned. Assignments must be turned in when due. As is often true in business, late submissions will not be allowed unless prior arrangements are made.

Course Goals:
During the semester the class collectively will:
     • Publish an engaging and dynamic online news site and class blog.
     • Continually improve the online news site.

Individually, each member of the class will:
     • Create and enter at least one entry into a personal blog.
     • Create an online résumé.
     • Publish a major multimedia reporting project on the class Web site.
     • Create and host a topical blog that readers can link to from the course's home page.

By the end of the semester you should:
     • Be conversant about issues surrounding online publication of news.
    • Have a high level of expertise in at least one area of online journalism.
     • Form defensible opinions regarding issues surrounding online publication.
     • Have the skills and knowledge necessary to lead or be part of a team of online journalists.

Class Policies:
EXTRA CREDIT (lack therof): There is no extra credit work available for C&J 475. You will be graded by the work you do for the class. Attendance and participation can affect this grade positively or negatively.

PLAGIARISM: A form of cheating, plagiarism is a serious offense and absolutely not acceptable in this or any other course. It can get you fired from a future job — and can get you a failing grade on a test, project or the entire course here. If you have a question on what constitutes plagiarism, check Indiana University's tutorial and online quiz site.

ASSISTANCE: Qualified students with disabilities needing appropriate academic adjustments should contact me as soon as possible to ensure your needs are met in a timely manner. Handouts are available in alternative accessible formats upon request.

DIVERSITY: This course encourages different perspectives related to such factors as gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, and other relevant cultural identities. This course seeks to foster understanding and inclusiveness related to such diverse perspectives and ways of communicating

ETHICS: The course emphasizes ethical practices and perspectives. Above all, students and instructors should strive to communicate and act, both in class interactions and in assigned coursework, in a manner directed by personal integrity, honesty, and respect for self and others. Included in this focus is the need for academic honesty by students as stated by the UNM Pathfinder. Students need to do original work and properly cite sources. For example, be aware of plagiarism. Directly copying more than three or four words from another author without quoting (not just citing) the author is plagiarism. Further, course content will encourage the ethical practices and analysis of print journalism.

COMPLAINTS: Procedures for students with a complaint about any member of the teaching staff are described in the UNM Pathfinder. Basically, students should try to resolve the matter with the instructor first. If the complaint is not resolved to the student's satisfaction, the student can appeal the matter to the departmental chair and then, if necessary, to the Associate Dean of the College.

About your instructor:
Dennis Herrick is a lecturer in journalism at the University of New Mexico and former newspaper reporter, editor and publisher. He is the author of "Media Management in the Age of Giants: Business Dynamics of Journalism."