STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Understands the methodology of an educated reporter

 II.     Makes sense of three models for journalists (humanistic, anticipatory and explanatory reporting) as they approach their writing challenges

 III.    Recognizes pack, public, parachute, party, participatory, breakfast and checkbook journalism

 IV.     Assesses Privacy Act versus First Amendment rights

 V.      Understands the importance of the Freedom of Information Act (national and state public records)

 VI.     Understands the importance of open meetings

 VII.    Recognizes rights of defendants versus rights of free speech and other constitutional concerns

 VIII.   Recognizes censorship and prior restraint as challenges to our democracy

 IX.     Makes sense out of the beat system, including courts, government, health, business, sports, and environment

 X       Understands research methods (observation, interviewing, interpretation, social science research and psephology)

 XI.     Assesses errors in interviewing

 XII.    Uses computer-assisted reporting as a research technique

 XIII.   Integrates effective research techniques when following the paper trail

 XIV.    Understands privileged information and fair comment

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      The realities and philosophies of public affairs reporting

 II.     The paper and computer trail

 III.    Covering the courts and public safety

 IV.     Government news

 V.      Covering the individual and the issue

 VI.     Institutions, regulatory agencies, for?profit groups