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Syllabus Exercises Projects Course Information Weblog

Each week there are approximately two assignments, if not more, due.

Most exercises are due via e-mail at 3 p.m. before class starts -- but this is not always the case. Always check the requirements & due section below for every assignment. Work handed in late is not accepted.

 

Week 3 > Sept 9
Exercise
 Create a Weblog
Description
 After your topic & description have been approved by the instructors, you are ready to create your new weblog for the class. It will be used as a weblog about some aspect of journalism, the industry or a way to follow trends. This is a professional blog (as a part of your "newsroom" duties), so treat it as such. Assume that you have a professional readership.
Requirements
 Create a weblog using one of the free weblog software programs or your own personal hosting weblog (not recommended). If you already have a weblog, you are required to begin a new weblog for this course.

In setting up the weblog you will have a choice of hosting it on either your own server (such as in UF's grove space) or the company's server (such as BlogSpot). You may select either.

[The instructors strongly suggest using Blogger because that is the same program used for the class blog you will contribute to throughout the semester.]

You may select any template you desire or create one in your own look & feel. Students are not graded on template or blog layout in this course. Ensure that your blog has the following elements embedded in the template:

  • Blog title
  • Approved blog description
  • Working archive system
  • Date-time stamp for each entry
  • Biographical information - you may either link to a page about yourself or provide a short description of who you are (journalism student)
  • Readable posts (do not use black text on navy blue background)
Purpose
 Create a venue to practice online writing techniques (hypertext, chunking) while increasing knowledge about the field of journalism.
Context
 Blogging creates an avenue for young journalists to practice online writing & reporting skills while publishing quality work at the same time.
Examples
 Some free weblog programs include, but are not limited to:
Due
  Sept 9 by 3 p.m. in e-mail
Points
 50

The assignment description and requirements on the Web site supercede the written syllabus passed on the first day of class.
Instructors
Students
This site is maintained for students of JOU 4341 at the University of Florida. The course was created for online journalism track students by Professor Mindy McAdams and is currently taught by Kaye Trammell (Fall 2003). Contact Kaye Trammell at ktrammell@jou.ufl.edu with any questions.