Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

Photojournalism        Newspaper      Journalism

Photojournalism

Course description: PHOTOJOURNALISM (2008-09)

Teacher: Kollen Long, Room 307

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will:

·         Learn the basics of traditional photography: taking, developing and printing quality photos.

·         Learn the basics of digital photography: taking, manipulating and printing quality photos. 

·         Produce high quality photos that may be considered for use in the school paper or yearbook.

·         Strive to master the technical and artistic aspects of photography.

·         Become familiar with quality photography by studying the work of professionals, examining the history of photography and through other assignments.

·         Learn the basics of layout/design and how photography relates to those skills.

·         Learn the basics of journalism writing, and apply this knowledge to PhotoJ assignments.

·         Become familiar with the digital imaging program Photoshop and layout program InDesign and be comfortable using them for assignments and projects.

·         Be prepared to be productive members of the school newspaper or yearbook staffs.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL/METHODS

Text material will be given to students in handouts and notes throughout the year. Students will be expected to keep all handouts in a photo notebook or folder for future use. Most of the class will focus on “hands on” learning in a workshop setting. Students will be introduced to a skill and then they will work on perfecting the skill.

EQUIPMENT

·         School cameras will be available to check out for assignments. Students with proper equipment are encouraged to use their own camera.

·         Cameras must be checked out and signed for from Mr. Long in Room 307 and returned the next day before school. Failure to do so will result in loss of points.

·         In the darkroom, students will use an enlarger, and work with chemicals and photographic paper. To avoid expensive accidents, care should be taken to follow all instructions. Similarly, great care should be taken when students are using digital cameras, scanners and computers. A lab fee will be required to cover costs of the class. However, students may be held financially responsible for ruining darkroom materials (enlarger, chemicals, paper) due to carelessness.

·         Camera/equipment care and darkroom care are components of your overall grade.

GRADING

Students will be judged on the quality of their work. Usually, each graded photo will be worth approximately 100 points. Further, negatives, final print, any scanned or downloaded images, reflection paper, etc. will also be graded for points. Since meeting deadlines is vital in journalism, late work will be heavily penalized – usually by 50 percent. Students will also be graded on quizzes, tests, group projects, darkroom/camera care and other assignments. Since Photojournalism involves a great deal of independence, points may be given for daily work as well. Carroll’s grading scale will be followed.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Students will work in the classroom and in the darkroom on a rotating schedule. At times, students may go out on assignment during class. Mature behavior is expected. However, most assignments will be fulfilled on the student’s own time. Students will be required to submit assignments in a notebook with pockets. Negatives, final prints, reflection paper, etc. should be kept in the notebook.

ABSENCES

Since most of the work in Photojournalism involves long-term assignments, due dates will usually stay the same regardless of a student’s absence. However, deadlines may be changed at the discretion of the teacher. It is the student’s responsibility to check with the teacher about these due dates.

STUDENT CONDUCT

As students will be working with expensive equipment and supplies, mature, responsible behavior is required at all times. Such behavior is also expected when students are out of the room to take pictures or develop pictures. No food or drink is allowed in the room or darkroom. No food or drink is allowed on the computer tables. Students outside of Photojournalism should not be allowed in the darkroom, and students outside of PhotoJ should not use the class equipment. Pictures that may cause embarrassment to others should never be taken, printed or scanned. Failure to follow any of these basic rules could result in loss of classroom privileges and the class could turn into a bookwork course.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

·         Cameras and flashes will be given to you in working order. (Students should always check the camera before taking it on an assignment.) Students are responsible for the damage to or loss of school cameras and equipment. (This includes camera bags, memory cards, chargers, etc.)

CONTACT INFO

I teach hours 1-4 in Room 307, so the best time to see me outside of class is before school, or by appointment. In addition, my e-mail address is longkollen@bcchs.org.

Student signature ________________________  Parent signature ______________________

NEWSPAPER (08-09)

Adviser: Kollen Long

Room 307

 Goals/objectives:

• To provide the Bishop Carroll community with an interesting, informative and entertaining school newspaper.
• To use the paper, whenever possible, to help achieve the school’s mission of forming disciples of Jesus Christ.
• To improve students’ skills as journalists in a variety of areas (writing, interviewing, layout and design, editing, photography, computer skills, advertising, etc.)
• To make producing the Flyer an enjoyable experience, while also learning and working hard – individually and as part of a team.
• To continue the successful tradition of the Flyer.

Grading:

• Students will be graded per issue on work produced. Depending on a student’s position, this “work produced” may include (but not necessarily be limited to) stories, story corrections, page layouts, photos, ads sold, ads designed, editing, etc. Generally, each issue will be worth 100 points.
• Students may also be graded on work leading up to the publication of the Flyer. This includes story ideas, interview questions, interviews (that they are done in a timely manner), advance planning for a page layout, etc.
• Each staff member will keep a string book of their work.
• Students may also be graded in other areas such as class-time use, quizzes, final proofing, beat sheets, etc.
• Since the Flyer is expected to be as self sufficient as possible, each student is required to sell ads for the paper. This counts as part of the student’s overall grade.
• A point system will be used and Carroll’s grading scale applied. The scale can be found in the agenda book.
• Since meeting deadlines is vital in journalism, late work will be heavily penalized. In case of absence by a staff member, it is his/her responsibility to communicate with the adviser regarding make-up work and adjusted due dates (if necessary). Staff members may phone the school (722-2390) or use Mr. Long’s email address listed below. Sometimes, it may be necessary for a student to spend time outside of class (before and after school, at lunch, or on weekend work days) to complete his/her work at a high level. It is the student’s responsibility to find the necessary time.

Adviser schedule:

Hours 1-4 in Room 307. E-mail address: longkollen@bcchs.org

 Finally, because of the dedication and talent of many students over the years, the Flyer and BC journalism has achieved a tradition of success. Carroll journalism has won the Class 5A state championship for three straight years (we also won in 2000), and the Flyer has been honored as an All-Kansas paper the last two years. Current staff members should recognize this success because it’s your responsibility to work diligently to maintain the tradition. We are looking forward to another year of outstanding newspapers.

Student signature _____________________  Parent ______________________

Journalism