NEWS GATHERING AND WRITING TECHNIQUES PROGRAMME COURSE DESCRIPTION

Code	Name of the Course Unit	Semester	In-Class Hours (T+P)	Credit	ECTS Credit
THY215	NEWS GATHERING AND WRITING TECHNIQUES	3	3	3	6

GENERAL INFORMATION
Language of Instruction :	Turkish
Level of the Course Unit :	BACHELOR'S DEGREE, TYY: + 6.Level, EQF-LLL: 6.Level, QF-EHEA: First Cycle
Type of the Course :	Compulsory
Mode of Delivery of the Course Unit	-
Coordinator of the Course Unit	Assoc.Prof. UĞUR BALOĞLU
Instructor(s) of the Course Unit
Course Prerequisite	No

OBJECTIVES AND CONTENTS
Objectives of the Course Unit:	This course aims to provide the students with the ability to apply the basic rules of news gathering process and the basic techniques of news writing process.
Contents of the Course Unit:	Contents of the course include various stages of news production, particularly journalist identity, working conditions, definitions of news, types of news, finding a news idea and writing news.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE COURSE UNIT (On successful completion of this course unit, students/learners will or will be able to)
Describe professional terminology on journalism and news production.
Differentiate news types in different mediums.
Calculate the news value of the surrounding events.
Write news at simple level.

WEEKLY COURSE CONTENTS AND STUDY MATERIALS FOR PRELIMINARY & FURTHER STUDY
Week	Preparatory	Topics(Subjects)	Method
1	-	What is news? Historical Development of News	Lecture & Discussion
2	Reading	News Gathering Processes	Lecture & Discussion
3	Reading	Defining News language and production process	Lecture & Discussion
4	Reading	Components of News	Lecture & Discussion
5	Reading & Visual and Written Literature Review	News Sources (Primary, Secondary sources and other sources)	Lecture & Discussion
6	Reading & Visual and Written Literature Review	5WS1H Rule and News Writing Techniques (Inverted Pyramid Technique, Simple Pyramid Technique)	Lecture & Discussion Demonstration and Practice
7	Reading & Visual and Written Literature Review	5WS1H Rule and News Writing Techniques (Quad or Square Technique, Combining Inverted Pyramid Technique with Square Technique)	Lecture & Discussion Demonstration and Practice
8	-	MID-TERM EXAM	-
9	Reading & Visual and Written Literature Review	Types of News (special news and research methods for special news)	Lecture & Discussion Demonstration and Practice
10	Reading & Visual and Written Literature Review	Using News language and Speech Types in News Language (Indirect of Direct Speech)	Lecture & Discussion
11	Reading & Visual and Written Literature Review	Producing an effect in News writing (Sentence formation, verbs and consistency check)	Lecture & Discussion Demonstration and Practice
12	Reading & Visual and Written Literature Review	Interview and Conversation Techniques	Individual Study
13	Reading & Visual and Written Literature Review	Using photographs in News – News in Examples	Lecture & Discussion
14	Reading & Visual and Written Literature Review	Radio and Television Journalism (news bulletin and preparation of it)	Individual Study
15	Reading & Visual and Written Literature Review	News writing for several medias (Internet, Magazine, Meeting, Economy, Culture and Art, Health, Security and Justice, Magazine Journalism)	Lecture & Discussion Demonstration and Practice, Individual Study
16	-	FINAL EXAM	-
17	-	FINAL EXAM	-

SOURCE MATERIALS & RECOMMENDED READING
Girgin, A. (2005). Haber Yazmak, Istanbul: Der Publications.
Tokgoz, O. (2010). Temel Gazetecilik, Ankara: Imge Publications.
Arslan, K. (2002).Haberim Var-Orneklerle Haberin ABC’si, Istanbul: Anahtar Publications.
Çankaya, O. ve Aykanat, A. (2005). Kosesiz Gazeteciler Yazıyor, Bagimsiz Publications.
McIntyre, T.B (1996). English News Writing: A Guide for Journalists Who Use English as a Second Language, Hong Kong: The Chinese University Press.

ASSESSMENT
Assessment & Grading of In-Term Activities	Number of Activities	Degree of Contribution (%)	Description

Level of Contribution
0	1	2	3	4	5

KNOWLEDGE
Theoretical
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Interpret basic concepts, fields of study, theories and approaches in media.				3
2	Describe current information in the field by relating them with communication theories.			2
3	Explain basic concepts regarding communication sciences.					4

KNOWLEDGE
Factual
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Interpret current events, political, cultural and economic developments by using the theoretical knowledge gained in the field within a critical context.		1
2	Associate knowledge and facts in the field with Law, Sociology, Advertisement, Cinema and Economy.	0

SKILLS
Cognitive
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Identify new strategy and methods for the technical infrastructure and content of the types of television news and programs.		1
2	Assemble theoretical knowledge gained in the field to the technology in present day.				3

SKILLS
Practical
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Create creative contents in the field.					4
2	Interpret theoretical and applied knowledge gained in the field.						5

OCCUPATIONAL
Autonomy & Responsibility
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Create TV Programs for several audiences by sharing the knowledge and experiences on it.					4
2	Perform as a leader or a team member in teamwork from the news production to presentation stage by fulfilling assigned tasks.					4

OCCUPATIONAL
Learning to Learn
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Identify basic knowledge regarding the production stages of media and technical infrastructure and creative approaches.						5
2	Research for developments, changes and innovations in the field by taking the lifelong learning as a principle.				3

OCCUPATIONAL
Communication & Social
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Create new ideas and new products in collaboration with the stakeholders in the field of programming and journalism.					4
2	Organize projects and activities for the social environment with the awareness of social responsibility following the national and international cases.	0
3	Explain written, verbal and visual studies in the field by following the agenda.						5

OCCUPATIONAL
Occupational and/or Vocational
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Apply knowledge and skills gained in the field by taking legal, social and ethical responsibilities into consideration.				3
2	Show skills as in using camera, editorial process control, team leadership and producing creative content that are features of a professional.						5

WORKLOAD & ECTS CREDITS OF THE COURSE UNIT
Workload for Learning & Teaching Activities
Type of the Learning Activites	Learning Activities (# of week)	Duration (hours, h)	Workload (h)
Lecture & In-Class Activities	14	3	42
Preliminary & Further Study	13	4	52
Land Surveying	0	0	0
Group Work	0	0	0
Laboratory	0	0	0
Reading	0	0	0
Assignment (Homework)	0	0	0
Project Work	0	0	0
Seminar	0	0	0
Internship	0	0	0
Technical Visit	0	0	0
Web Based Learning	0	0	0
Implementation/Application/Practice	0	0	0
Practice at a workplace	0	0	0
Occupational Activity	0	0	0
Social Activity	0	0	0
Thesis Work	0	0	0
Field Study	0	0	0
Report Writing	0	0	0
Final Exam	1	1	1
Preparation for the Final Exam	7	6	42
Mid-Term Exam	1	1	1
Preparation for the Mid-Term Exam	5	4	20
Short Exam	0	0	0
Preparation for the Short Exam	0	0	0
TOTAL	41	0	158