SYLLABUS FOR JOURNALISM
AND PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNSHIPS

Spring Semester, 2007

JOURN 4963 and PUBREL 4973

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

Students will work a minimum of 10-12 hours per week under the direct supervision of a journalist or public relations practitioner. Time outside of the workplace to complete tasks should be considered.

Students will provide progress reports of what was accomplished during the internship. These written reports are due by 3 PM on the following dates: January 26, February 9,  March  2 & 30, and April 20. These five progress reports should detail the internship and the tasks outlined in the contract. Each should include a log of dates and the time spent at the internship and working on internship projects during the weeks prior to the report. Examples of progress reports will be made available upon request.

An additional log should be kept for the intern's supervisor and signed by the intern's supervisor every week. This log will be included in the intern's portfolio.

News stories, publicity releases, newsletters, brochures or similar materials may be included with the weekly report. Students will receive an assessment on the submitted materials and reports, so it is vital that deadlines are met, regardless of what was done during the periods between progress reports. These will also be included in the intern's portfolio.

An end of semester portfolio detailing the internship will be provided no later than April 27 and will include internship artifacts and a narrative overview of the internship.

Students will need to submit a contract outlining the specific job responsibilities they expect to complete during their internship. These responsibilities will be decided by the intern and the intern's supervisor/mentor. This contract should be completed no later than the first week of the semester and should be signed by the student, job supervisor/mentor, and coordinating university professor. Examples of previously submitted contracts are available for viewing upon request.

Grades will be based on visible progress exhibited in the weekly reports, materials provided, and in discussions held with the intern's supervisor. The supervisor will also provide a semester assessment before the final grade is determined. The intern must schedule interim meetings during the weeks below with the coordinating university professor. A site visit at the locale of  the internship with the supervisor/mentor and the university coordinating professor during the course of the semester must also be arranged. Site visits must be completed by November 19.

Progress Reports - 5 for                                              100 points
Interim Meeting 1 (TBA)                                             30 points
Interim Meeting 2 (TBA)                                             30 points
Final Meeting (TBA)                                                    30 points
Site visit (If applicable)                                                30 points
Semester Portfolio                                                         80 points

Points       Grades
270 - 300:            A
240 - 269:            B
210 - 239:            C
180 - 209:            D
179 & below:      F

Weekly reports must be typed in Microsoft word in 12 point Times Roman (PC) or Times (MAC) and submitted as an attachment via email each Friday by 3 PM. Grammar and structure rules should be followed in the weekly reports. Be specific and detailed.

What a student learns from an internship depends in many instances on the degree to which the supervisor can be convinced to involve the intern. If you feel at any time during your internship that the experiences are not as described in the contract, call it to the university coordinating professor's attention immediately. An internship may  result in a job, and  it is vital that all aspects are given adequate attention and importance.

If you believe you have a disability and think you need special accommodations, please advise me immediately. I will work with you and the University's Office of Multicultural and Disabled Services to provide you with reasonable accommodations.

If you find it necessary to withdraw, you must obtain a drop/add slip from the Office of Admissions and Records, have the instructor sign it, and return it to the Office of Admissions and Records. Good luck to each of you! Refer to your catalogue for any policy issues not covered in this syllabus.

Please contact me immediately if you have any questions or concerns.