Welcome to the home page for Journalism 54 in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. We'll be using this page throughout the Spring Semester 2004 for providing information about the class--including reading assignments, story deadlines, Internet-related activities and course expectations.
You will be expected to check this page regularly to keep up with class activities. Get in the habit of visiting here each day as you will find timely Internet reading assignments pegged to breaking news situations, dates for story deadlines, observations by the teacher, and links to interesting journalism materials on the Internet. The class also will be using the Blackboard Web site within the University for class discussion forums and other information.
The basic course requirements can be found by looking at the Course Syllabus.
My office is in Meredith Hall 121. My phone number is 271-3105, or your can send me an e-mail message from here to Robert.Woodward@drake.edu.
Check the Latest News
Here is a listing of solid news sites on the Internet from which you can obtain the latest news quickly. We'll add to the list as the semester progresses. Make certain to check the news before coming to class in the morning.
ABC Check out ABC News from here.
Associated Press Breaking news from the world's largest news-gathering service.
Cable News Network Go directly to CNN Interactive.
CBS News For the latest network news.
Des Moines Register Get the local and national perspective.
Los Angeles Times Get the West Coast perspective.
NBC Here you'll find links to MSNBC, CNBC business news and local NBC stations.
New York Times You'll have to register for this one, but it is free to use.
The Washington Post Excellent reporting from the nation's capital
Reading Assignments
Week of January 12, 2004: Anderson-Itule, News Writing and Reporting for Today's Media, chapters 1 and 2.
Week of January 19, 2004: News Writing and Reporting for Today's Media, chapters 3, 4 and 5.
Week of January 26, 2004: News Writing and Reporting for Today's Media, chapters 6 and 7.
Week of February 2, 2004: News Writing and Reporting for Today's Media, chapters 8 and 9.
Story Deadlines/Spring 2004
All stories must be double-spaced with standard margins, and all must be related to the Drake campus. Give two copies of the story to your professor, and keep a copy for yourself. Make certain to follow the proper story legend spelled out in class.
No. 1--January 23, Friday at noon
No. 2--January 30, Friday at noon
No. 3--February 4, Wednesday at classtime
No. 4--February 11, Wednesday at classtime
No. 5--February 18, Wednesday at classtime
No. 6--February 25, Wednesday at classtime
No. 7--March 3, Wednesday at classtime
No. 8--March 10, Wednesday at classtime
No. 9--March 17, Wednesday at classtime
No. 10--April 2, Friday at noon
No. 11--April 7, Wednesday at classtime
No. 12--April 14, Wednesday at classtime
No. 13--April 21, Monday at classtime