Covering the Courts Schedule
Class is 12:30-1:50p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Kimpel Hall 111
and sometimes 119J
Reading Assignments: You are expected to have read and made
notes on the material assigned for the day it is on the schedule.
• Alexander, S.L.(2003). Covering the Courts—a
handbook for
journalists (2nd edition). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers,
Inc,
• Handouts and Web pages as assigned
• The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual,
2005 or later
Some
activities may change based on availability of people and scheduling of
trials.
Tues., Jan. 13 -- Syllabus and Class Expectations
Thurs., Jan. 15 -- Introduction to Textbook
Alexander Assignment: Chapter 1 (10 pages)
Tues., Jan. 20 -- The
Judicial System
Alexander Assignment: Chapter 2 (9 pages)
Thurs., Jan. 22 -- The
Judicial System
Class paper topics will
be ready and will be discussed and assigned in class. In
addition, students will receive their "Judges Day" assignments.
Tues., Jan 27-- Criminal
Procedure
Alexander Assignment: Chapter 3 (18 pages)
Thurs., Jan. 29 -- Observing
Trial
We
will meet at one of the local courthouses at 12:45 p.m. Details to come.
Tues., Feb. 3 -- Criminal
Cases: Pre-Trial Coverage
Alexander Assignment: Chapter 5 (10
pages)
NOTE: Skipping Chapter 4 for now
We will meet at the district
courtroom at 12:45 p.m. Details to come.
Thurs.,
Feb. 5 -- Criminal Cases: Pre-Trial Coverage,
continued
Glossary quiz (Chapters 1-3 & 5)
Simulated trial
coverage and newswriting
Tues.,
Feb. 10 -- Criminal Cases: The Trial
Alexander Assignment: Chapter 6 (16 pages)
Simulated trial
coverage and newswriting
Thurs.,
Feb. 12 --
Criminal Cases: The Trial, continued
Glossary quiz (Chapters 1-3 & 5-6)
Simulated trial
coverage and newswriting
Tues.,
Feb. 17 -- Criminal
Cases: Post-Trial Activity
Alexander Assignment: Chapter 7 (6 pages)
Thurs., Feb. 19 --
Criminal
Cases: Post-Trial Activity, continued
Glossary quiz (Chapters 1-3 & 5-7)
Simulated trial
coverage and newswriting
Tues., Feb. 24 --
Civil Procedure and Civil Cases
Alexander Assignment: Chapter 4 (6 pages)
Chapter 8 (18 pages)
Thurs.,
Feb. 26 -- Civil Cases
Glossary quiz (Chapters 1-8)
Simulated trial
coverage and newswriting
Tues., March 3 -- Civil Cases
Simulated trial
coverage and newswriting
Thurs., March 5 -- Cameras in Courtrooms
Alexander Assignment: Chapter
9 (18 pages)
Guest Speakers
Tues., March 10 -- Mid-Term Exam
Thurs., March 12 --
Covering the Courts
DUE: First draft of stories for
"Judges Day" tab
March 16-20
--
Spring Break
Tues. March 24 --
Conferences with editors
Alexander Assignment: Chapter 10 (18 pages)
Editors will meet
with you to discuss your Judges Day tab stories.
Thurs. March 26 -- Covering
the Court Beat
Meet
at the Washington County
Courthouse, 4th floor, at 12:45.
Tues., Mar. 31 --
Courthouse Reporting
Meet at the Washington County
Courthouse, 4th floor, at 12:45.
DUE:
Final draft of stories for "Judges Day" tab
Thurs., April 2
--
Term Paper Conference
Meet with Shurlds to discuss final paper
DUE: Completed
bibliography and introduction (minimum five pages)
Tues., April 7 -- Access Issues
Simulated trial
coverage and newswriting
Thurs., April 9 -- Ethics and Trial Coverage
Victim Witness Coordinator
Tues., April 14
-- Courthouse
Reporting
Meet at the Washington County
Courthouse, 4th floor, at 12:45.
Thurs., April 16 --
Contempt of Court and the Media
Simulated trial
coverage and newswriting
MONDAY, APRIL 20: JUDGES
DAY-- You will be expected to help with this event as your
schedule allows.
Tues.,
April 21 --
Journalism Days
Ethics
and the High-Profile Trial : Guest Speaker
Thurs., April 23
-- Other
Courts
Guest Speaker:
Drug Court and Juvenile Court
Tuesday, April 28 --- Other
Courts
Simulated trial coverage and newswriting
DUE: Term paper (10 percent deduction for any part of each half hour
you are late. Not accepted after 4 p.m.)
Thurs., April 30
-- Lunch with lawyers and reporters
Friday, May 1 -- Dead Day