Topic 1: Civic involvement

1. I.Voting
   

2. II.Conscience
   

1. A.Keeping up with Current Events
   

2. B.Volunteering in your community
   

3. C.Being a Law Abiding citizen
   

4. D.Be involved politically
   

3. III.Obtain an education
   

1. A.Take an active role in your education
   

Topic 2: The First Amendment

1. I.Text Study
   

2. II. The first amendment as it relates to Journalism
   

Topic 3: What is News/Journalism

1. I.What is News/Journalism to you?
   

1. A.What purpose does it serve?
   

1. i.is it fulfilling its purpose?
   

2. ii.how could journalism improve?
   

2. II.The Britney to Bush effect
   

Topic 4: Elements of Journalism

1. I.Independent monitor of power
   

2. II. Truth
   

3. III. Personal Conscience
   

Topic 5: Ethics in journalism

1. I.Society of professional Journalism code of ethics
   

1. A.Are these sufficient?
   

1. i.could anything be added?
   

2. ii. Write our own class code
   

Topic 6: HOw to read and interpret the news

1. I.Each student will bring in an article to be read and analyzed by the class
   

Topic 7: Journalism and you: How to be involved in the news

1. I.Get an education
   

2. II.Blog
   

3. III.Write op-eds and letters to the editor
   

4. IV. get involved in campus and local publications
   

Topic 8: Citizen journalism and Blogs

1. I.Examples
   

2. II. Is this news?
   

Topic 9: Journalism and the vote

1. I.What is Journalism’s role in the vote?
   

2. II.Covering candidates
   

3. III. informing voters
   

Topic 10: Journalism as a business: Profit v. truth

1. I.Media Consolidation
   

2. II. Advertising and News
   

Topic 11: Pitfalls in Journalism

1. I.Getting too close to/getting burned by sources
   

2. II.Stenography
   

3. III. Specific examples
   

Topic 12: The future of Journalism