Broadcast Journalism 1-4 & Advanced

About

Grade Level: 10-12 
Prerequisite Courses: None

• This is a 4 trimester course. After this course, Advanced Broadcast Journalism may be taken for an infinite number of terms.
• This course is A-G UC approved and meets the UC/CSU "F" requirement and the Poway Unified School District's computer literacy requirement.
• After 2 trimesters (with a grade of B or better), students are qualified to recieve 5 units of DBA 120 Palomar College credit, which is transferable to other colleges or universities.
• This course is a career, technical education (CTE) offering.
• At PHS, this course qualifies as a visual performing art, practical art and fine art.

Students enrolled in Broadcast Journalism will explore basic elements of radio and television broadcasting. Students enrolled will learn about the role of broadcast media in today's society as well as how television and radio broadcast is developed based on the clientele of Poway high school. Students will learn audio and video recording techniques and will experience applied elements of video editing using Final Cut Pro. Students in this class will help in pre-production, production (filming), and post-production (editing) of the Poway High School newscast production. Students will get experience and take ownership in various newscast categories and positions in production (outlined below).

Course Requirements

We will begin with tutorials on all the software and instructions on usage of all cameras & equipment. All of these items are expensive and need to be given the utmost care & respect. 

Each newscast project is based on a 50 point grading system broken down as follows: 

5 pts - All Release Forms 
5 pts - Audio 
40 pts - Video 

Projects assigned during the trimester will vary between:

• Athletics
• Activities (ASB & School-Wide)
• Clubs
• Music Reviews
• Special Projects
• Foods
• Travel
• Counselors Corner
• Coffee talk with principal
• Student services (PSA's)
• ASB events and happenings
• Movies / TV
• Ask a titan
• Titan talents
• News Anchoring
• And More

Students will participate in writing of commercials, public service announcements, and newscasts. Positions in Broadcast Journalism are:

• Program Director
• News Anchoring
• Section Heads
• Production Assistants
• "Front of Camera" Personalities

Important Side Notes

• If a student partner is absent more than 5 days from a project, they must then complete their own project (in solo format - this means completing a full 45 second beat report section).
• At least 50% of the film editing work must be completed on the assigned computer work station in the Digital Media Production lab. Home computers should only be used to support the work needed for completion of the project (not to complete it).
• Beware that PC film editing software often has different film rendering formats than Mac editing software. These formats may not be compatible with Final Cut Studio Pro. We do not recommend that you do film work on these different softwares unless previously tested.

Late Work Policy

• We run our program like a newsroom. As with all newsrooms, there are absolute deadline timelines. If it's not turned in, there's dead air.
• All projects (or any parts of them) that are received after the deadline are valued at 0%, meaning that all work must be turned in by deadline to recieve credit.
• All late projects are only accepted within the 6 week grading period in which they are assigned. After that point, no late work will be accepted.
• Plan wisely and don't procrastinate.

Students Need...

• A small 3-ring working production notebook to allow them to keep their release forms and other documents organized.
• An optional lab fee donation of $30.00 per student per semester for software updates, music licensing, studio project video drives, repair of equipment, and replacement of lost and expendable items in the studio like lighting lamps, gaffer tape, headphones, and cabling.

Classroom Rules and Citizenship

• HONESTY - Be truthful and don't remove equipment without signing it out.
• EFFORT - Come to class prepared, do your best, and involve yourself in your group.
• RESPECT - This pertains to the people in the class and all the equipment that we are responsible for maintaining and utilizing.
• ATTENDANCE - In adhering to the policies of Poway High, a student is late if they are not in the classroom when the bell rings. Detentions will be assigned for any unexcused tardies. Tardies and absences will affect the citizenship grade.
• PROJECTS - Projects are worth approximately 70% of your overall grade. Projects are primarily based on team assignments and the effective completion of the "idea to final product" formula.
• ETHICS - Poway High enforces an ethics policy. Any student caught cheating will receive a zero on the assignment, be given a referral, receive a "U" in citizenship and be on probation for the remainder of the course. Parents will be notified.
• TUTORIAL PERIODS - If a student falls below 70% they should come in for additional help/work during tutorial time. It is up to the student to make arrangements with me if they can't make it on the designated date. Tutorial days are generally scheduled for Wednesdays and Thursdays after school in the classroom. Students may also drop in at break and lunchtime if they make an appointment with me ahead of time. All students are encouraged to come in for additional help when needed.

The citizenship grade is affected by poor behavior, poor attendance, leaving messes, coming to class unprepared, behaving unproductively, or recieving a socially responsible behavior (SRB) violation.

Outside of Class Filming Policy

• You must first let Mr. Kaechele know who is filming and who is acting.
• You must be filming within clear sight of the DMP classroom door.
• If you are filming with another teacher or their classroom, you must clear that with them first and Mr. Kaechele must receive an email from them confirming that.
• You must clearly state the amount of time it will take to complete the filming if it will be over 5 minutes. In no circumstances may filming time go beyond the end of the class period. You MUST check back in with Mr. Kaechele prior to the end of the period regardless of where or what you film.
• ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NO leaving the campus during class time.

Any violation of this policy will result in a referral and a revocation of classroom privileges.

Contract for Appropriate Video

I understand that the following content in my video production is not appropriate for a high school class. By signing this contract, I will abide by the acceptable content guide My video production will be eligible for a grade and will contribute points toward my individual overall accumulated grade. Videos need to be acceptable to be aired on an Educational Channel with strict guidelines and should represent our school in the best possible way. After signing the acknowledgement of the foregoing content, students understand that they could be drop-failed from the course with any blatant violation of these rules. 

Not Acceptable:

Contact

Robert Kaechele 
Poway High: (858)748-0245 x .5305 
Email: rkaechele@powayusd.com

Student Resources