Editing

Course Details

Course Number: 3233 Section Number: 1

Spring 2012

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: B124

Course Attachments

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

Randy Pruitt
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Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Course Objectives

• Instruction and practice in editing copy

• Develop a sense of news judgment

• Learn AP style

• Write headlines with flair

• Edit photos for impact

• Learn the basics of designing an attractive page

Prerequisite

• Completion of JOUR 1243

Required Books

• Copy Editing for Professionals by Dr. Edmund Rooney and Oliver Witte

• The Associated Press Stylebook

Grading

• 75 percent on major tests and major in-class exercises.

• 25 percent on short quizzes and short in-class exercises.

No final exam will be given.

Attendance

• More than four unexcused absences and you will be dropped from the course.

• Students who come in after the roll has been checked will be counted absent. Be on time. If you find the door locked don’t bang on it. Leave and come back next time on time.

No makeup work will be given. Doctor or dental appointments will not be counted as excused absences. I will excuse major surgery but I will be the one who determines what is major. I will also determine what constitutes an emergency. A second cousin’s out-of-state wedding is not an emergency. Any students who manufacturers an excuse that I can prove to be false will either be dropped from the course and/or receive a final grade of “F.” A family funeral will be counted as an excused absence but grandma had better be dead. In the past I have asked for the name of the funeral home that handled the arrangements so I could verify matters. Auto breakdowns and other vehicle problems are not my concern but I will grant an excused absence to anyone involved in an auto accident where a police report is issued. Inclement weather will be taken into consideration. I will do my best to be understanding in such situations. Phone me in such cases. University-sponsored events are in most cases excused but consult me in advance. If we have in-class work or an exam when you have an excused absence I will simply factor in the grades you have accumulated to determine the grade for that component. In other words, you will not be penalized. For example, we had 20 in-class exercises but you missed one because of an excused absence. I will average your grades by 19 instead of 20.

Compliance with American Disabilities Act: Any student with a disability that may prevent full participation in this class should notify the instructor to ensure that alternatives may be found to provide the student with full class participation.

Other stuff I wish I didn’t have to talk about: Fix cellular phones so I can’t hear them. No text messaging either. I consider phones annoying and disruptive so keep them turned off and out of sight keep them turned off and out of sight keep them turned off and out of sight keep them turned off and out of sight. Last semester, five students had their grades lowered because they didn’t heed this warning. I didn’t like doing it but then I didn’t like listening to a girl’s cute, loud phone ring, ring, ring, ring, ring while she floundered around in her purse to dig it out and turn it off. Your final grade will be reduced by one letter grade each time a cell phone or other device goes off in class or you’re caught text messaging or if I see you being distracted by such devices. Keep iPods and the like out of your ears or I’ll confiscated them. Class is not the place to surf the Internet, check email or play with the computers. Anyone caught using the computers during lectures for anything but notes will be dropped a letter grade each time s/he is caught. One girl had 26 hits on cheerleading during one lecture. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Anyone being disruptive will be dropped from the course. Do not bring food or drinks into the classroom/lab. This is a departmental rule that will be enforced. I consider you adults but if you act like children I’ll treat you as such. It’s up to you.

Parents: I don’t do parents. If your parents want to know your grades or talk with me about them or your stories tell them to forget it. I won’t, under any circumstance, give out grades or talk with parents about your performance or lack of it. This is a private matter between you and me. If you think you have been treated unfairly you are, of course, entitled to appeal any grade or complaint through normal university channels. A committee has been set up for this specific purpose. Fight your own battles. Don’t expect your parents to do it for you.

Other tips: Bring a Jump Drive to class so you can save your work. Save frequently in case of computer crashes. It is your responsibility to pick up any work handed back in class during your absence.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.