You will be completing three basic kinds of assignments:
Homework (15% of final grade): Reading and discussion responses, as well as low-stakes practice items to prepare you for projects.
Prep (15% of final grade): Items such as research, interview summaries, and classmate edits and feedback that will go into production of major projects.
Beat memo (5% of final grade): A thorough work plan for your two story projects
Stories (50% of final grade): Two major story projects that will consist of all the following elements:
Mainbar: A video or written feature story about or stemming from a building project or other topic in the Athens area. Secondary element 1: An infographic or photo package (minimum of three images) relating to the Secondary element 2: A video or audio interview that can be embedded in the mainbar.
Other elements of your grade:
Attendance and participation (10%): If you meet the attendance requirements and participate in class and group discussions, you get full credit. You will lose points through excessive absences and/or lack of participation.
Portfolio (5%): You will produce a portfolio web page, or adapt your current page, for professional use, embedding work from this class on it. We will present portfolios during the final two days of class.
Grading details:
Story projects will be graded on a 0-10 scale. A '10' is reserved for an error-free story that is ready for publication/air. Homework and prep assignments will be graded on a 0-2 scale. A '2' means you completed the assignment, a '1' means you threw something weak together, and a 0 means you didn't do it. All work must be completed by the designated deadline. Late assignments receive a 0; no partial credit. Be aware that any form of plagiarism will trigger harsh consequences, possibly including a failing grade for the class and expulsion from the University. If you are unclear on what constitutes plagiarism, please check with me. Below are checklists of what grades I would expect to give for the quality of work presented: Here are the guidelines for story grades
Extra credit
Special events will be announced throughout the semester, and attending one and live-tweeting it will generally be good for one point on your final grade. Also, you can participate in research studies for one point of extra credit apiece, up to a maximum of three. Sign up through the Grady Research Participation Pool () or send your instructor a screenshot of the thank-you page for a non-Grady study to ensure you get credit.