This syllabus bank for editing courses was created for AEJMC's Newspaper Division. It has two components: an index of links to online course syllabi and a file of some that are loaded at the site. If you would like to contribute your syllabus, send the URL or an attachment to Frank Fee.

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NewsLab, an independent nonprofit based in Chevy Chase, Md., provides a directory of syllabi directories. Included are those for computer-assisted reporting, visual journalism and diversity.

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Mike Spear's objectives: "Journalism 301 teaches the fundamentals of copy editing, principally as they apply to general- circulation newspapers. The course emphasizes accuracy, style and the fundamentals of English usage. You will edit news and feature copy (stories), write headlines and design newspaper pages. Emphasis is given to verification of facts, libel, ethics and to printing and newsroom technology. The Associated Press style will be used in all copy."

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Tom Dickson's objectives: "At the completion of the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following competencies: a knowledge of newsroom operations and responsibilities of copy editors; the ability to edit copy using Associated Press style rules; the ability to write appropriate headlines that fit the allotted space; the ability to use informational graphics; the ability to crop and size photographs; the ability to use proper layout and design techniques; and the ability to use computer programs for editing and layout."

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Malcolm Gibson's objectives: "The obvious objective is to improve your editing skills and to prepare you for a productive and profitable career in journalism. In addition, the class is designed to: Develop your vocabulary and reading skills. ...; develop your critical-thinking skills ...; develop a strong sense of story development and management; develop a good working environment and the ability to collaborate effectively; develop strong leadership skills and a strong sense of professionalism; understand and apply First Amendment principles and the law; demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups in a global society; work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity; critically evaluate your own work and that of others in all relevant areas; provide you an opportunity to develop the skills necessary for a successful career as a communicator." The site is a sequel to Wonderful World of Editing.

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Mindy McAdams' objectives were for students to be "acquainted with the most common errors that copy editors fix and have experience in finding those errors. Know what the copy editor's standard reference books are and what a copy editor is expected to look up. Understand the mind-set with which professional copy editors approach their work. Know the standard proofreader's marks and be able to use them. Be familiar with magazine-industry terms concerning page design, layout, and typography. Know the different requirements of working on electronic systems (computer) and on paper (manuscript). Understand the mechanics of writing headlines and captions. Know the function of a style book and the importance of consistency in style."

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Albert May's objectives: "To develop news gathering and writing skills and to apply those skills to the coverage of public affairs. Through hands-on experience, readings, discussions and classroom drills, students will learn reporting techniques in covering breaking news and in grappling with complex topics in depth. Through in-class exercises and outside assignments, students will hone the writing skills needed to bring clarity, context, and objectivity to news in a world of converging media. Students will also explore and debate journalism values and ethics."

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Mindy McAdams' objectives: "Students who complete this course should be able to plan and execute the reporting necessary for a proposed Web project. Write in styles that are appropriate to online media. Evaluate story packages on the Web and explain why they work well in the medium, or why they do not. Write link text that encourages a good experience for the users. Work with other reporters to produce an engaging story for Web presentation. Conduct research online, determine the reliability of sources found, and use the results appropriately as part of a story."

A full list of McAdams' syllabi is here.

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John Russial's "Cyberjournalism" objectives: "To critically examine issues in web publishing, such as writing, editing and design; to produce an original web site, applying lessons learned in the class; to learn some of the techniques used in web publishing."

The Web site produced by his students is Oregon Lifestyle.

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William McKeen's objectives: "... we study literary journalism and try some experiments that go beyond the norm of everyday writing and reporting. We analyze great works of literary journalism and discuss the merit of such works not only as chronicles of human life, but also to determine artistic merit. Although we take an approach that is historic, our emphasis will be on post-Second World War American writing. ..."

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