Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

This course has been changed from the previous catalog, the changed field(s) are highlighted in red:

 Course Title:   Newspaper Production & Editing

 Title Abbreviation:   NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION

 Department:    JOUR

 Course #:    201

 Credits:    2

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    2

 CIP:    090102

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

This course focuses on the development of skills in editing, desk-top publishing, and multi-media communication using basic principles of journalism and emphasizing production management and editorial leadership. It is designed for students interested in or already filling the positions of Editor, Assistant Editor, or Advertising Manager of the student newspaper. This course is repeatable up to 6 credits.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Successful completion of JOUR 101 with a C or better or permission of instructor.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 22

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Elective  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
SPU 2203 Editing & Design
WWU JOUR 309 Editing

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Develop and/or expand skills/experience in using Adobe InDesign or other desktop publishing software to produce bi-weekly issues of a student newspaper;
  2. Evaluate news stories and select content appropriate for the various pages of a student newspaper;
  3. Recognize and apply effective layout and design techniques to create a visually appealing newspaper;
  4. Produce content mock-ups for evaluation;
  5. Proofread and edit stories for style, ethics, accuracy, and space;
  6. Apply effective leadership and communication skills in working with newspaper staff, faculty, campus administration, and community;
  7. Coordinate print and multi-media publications of the newspaper;
  8. Write editorials and respond professionally to letters to the editor as needed;
  9. Manage time effectively by meeting deadlines.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.1 Determine the extent of information needed.
1.2 Access the needed information effectively, efficiently, ethically, and legally.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.2 Analyze issues and develop questions within a discipline.
2.4 Evaluate decisions by analyzing outcomes and the impact of actions.
2.6 Recognize how the value and biases in different disciplines can affect the ways in which data is analyzed.
2.9 Apply and/or create problem-solving strategies to successfully adapt to unpredictable and/or changing environments.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.1 Recognize, read, and comprehend academic and/or professional writing.
3.3 Demonstrate effective listening skills.
3.4 Produce academic and/or professional writing and integrate it into written and spoken projects.
3.6 Recognize, comprehend, and use visual communication appropriate to a given context.
3.7 Adapt communication to diverse audiences and media.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.
4.4 Demonstrate effective communication across differences in human communities and cultures.

5. Global & Local Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding the complexity and interdependence of, and stewardship responsibilities to, local and global communities and environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
5.1 Understand the impact of their own and other’s actions on local/global communities and environments and how those communities/environments affect them in turn.
5.2 Identify diverse communities and their shared/competing interests and develop strategies for prevention and resolution of conflict.

6. Individual Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding, managing, and taking responsibility for one’s learning and behavior in varied and changing environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
6.2 Demonstrate standards of professionalism in manner, appearance, and setting appropriate to the context, including the classroom, workplace, and community.
6.3 Apply successful organizational strategies of planning, goal setting, prioritizing, resolving conflict, and managing time to specific goals and/or projects.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.2 Demonstrate an understanding of legal, ethical, and environmental issues in the use and misuse of technology.
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.

Course Contents

  1. Proofreading, evaluating, & editing stories
  2. Page/issue design and layout
  3. Newspaper production schedules, deadlines, & time management
  4. Desktop publishing software
  5. Newspaper leadership & communication effectiveness
  6. Multi-media publications
  7. Editorial writing