WHS Communications Department
mass media 2012-2013 WHITNEY HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Barnholdt
Mr. Labrot
Mrs. Nichols
Mrs. Parker
Course overview: This UC-approved course counts as your technology credit toward graduation and will give you an introduction to the Communications Department at WHS. You will have four different instructors during the year; you and your classmates will rotate to a new teacher at the end of each quarter. In mass media class, you will learn key concepts in different communication platforms, addressing skills in online tools, journalism, photography and design with emphasis on how those concepts apply to websites, newspapers, magazines, yearbooks and broadcast productions. Successful performance in mass media class can gain you a spot next year in one of the advanced-level communications courses. How to contact your teachers: Email is the best method and will lead to the fastest response. If you do not have your own email account, set one up for free using Gmail. We can help you set up an account. Mr. Barnholdt: bbarnholdt@rocklin.k12.ca.us Broadcast building Broadcasting Mr. Labrot: llabrot@rocklin.k12.ca.us Room J-8 Photography Mrs. Nichols: snichols@rocklin.k12.ca.us Room C-2 Publications/Journalism Mrs. Parker: kgideon-parker@rocklin.k12.ca.us Room J-6 Web Project ownership: See separate handout based on the contribution to own your student work. Supplies needed: Part of the Project Ownership Contribution includes a composition book for notetaking. (Other items included are color theory project supplies, a digital portfolio CD of your work and professional prints of your photos that you can take home and keep.) You should consider purchasing a portable storage device (USB flash drive). Every day, you will be expected to have something to write with and something to write on. You also will need your student planner every day, and you will need to remember your computer password. Add a tab in your “even day” binder for mass media so you can save papers and assignments. How to be successful: Be prepared. Participate in class activities and make good use of class time. Follow each teacher’s rules for technology and equipment use. Bring your planner to class every day. To earn a stamp in your planner, you will need to be passing the class (70% or higher and no missing essential skills). If you are not eligible for a stamp, we will be happy to help you during intervention time to make up missing work and/or get extra help on essential skills. If you would like to get help before or after school, contact your teacher individually to make an appointment. We offer correctives days and lab times during at least one Monday afternoon each month, so check with your teacher to sign up for these as needed. Grades & class rotation: You’ll have each teacher for one quarter. At the end of the quarter, your teacher will remind you of the upcoming switch (Barnholdt ➞ Labrot, Labrot ➞ Parker, Parker ➞ Nichols, Nichols ➞ Barnholdt). The grade you earn first quarter gets averaged equally with your grade from second quarter to create your semester final grade, which goes on your report card and into your GPA. The same process occurs with your third and fourth quarter grades in the second semester.
Here’s a brief overview of the topics and areas of study in each quarter of mass media: Broadcasting Photography Publications/Journalism Web • history of journalism • Adobe Photoshop basics • communicating in a digital age • media ethics • basic digital imaging • interviewing & reporting techniques • video camera operation • history of photography • alternative storytelling forms • picture composition • parts of the camera • multimedia storytelling forms • Final Cut editing software • photo storytelling forms • interviewing & research skills • professional use of social media • broadcast writing • Adobe Creative Suite
• Intranet vs. Internet • copyright • history of the Internet • color theory for Web • elements of design • Web 2.0 • Adobe Photoshop for Web use • Adobe Flash