San José State University
School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Journalism-136
Class 42939, section 1 @ 3 units
Fall 2015
Newspaper and Magazine Design
Instructor Mr. Tim Mitchell
e-mail Office phone
Office hours Class meetings
eCampus Canvas The best way to reach me is at [email protected] .
DBH-131; 408.924.3286 (rarely used or checked so use e-mail)
Before class and/or by appointment, 3:15–4:15pm Tuesdays and Thursdays
4:30–5:45pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, in Dwight Bentel Hall (DBH) room 222 (as of 08.01.2015)
http://www.sjsu.edu/at/ec/ Go here for student online help (also in Clark Hall) .
https://sjsu.instructure.com Go here for our e-campus course online transactions.
Support is available for Canvas and you can find detailed tutorials discussing components at
http://guides.instructure.com/ and http://www.sjsu.edu/at/ec/canvas/ .
Catalog description
JOUR 136: Newspaper and Magazine Design Learn the principles of newspaper and magazine design — news judgment, story and headline hierarchy, typography and visual storytelling. Practice creating and evaluating newspapers, magazines.
[The course description should go on to include these points: critical design thinking to solve communication challenges, basic
knowledge of print and digital media, manufacturing processes, printing inks and substrate media.]
Prerequisites
JOUR 61, JOUR 133 or instructor consent. Previous design experience is not required but computer skills are necessary.
Student Learning Objectives
Class Learning Objectives
SLO-1
Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of groups
in a global society in relationship to communications.
CLO-1
SLO-2
Demonstrate the ability to think critically, creatively
and independently.
Design communications that are appropriate for intended
audiences with a cultural sensitivity to the influence
of mass communications
CLO-2
SLO-3
Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate
for the communications professions, audiences and purposes
they serve.
Solve communication problems with professional, best-practices
design solutions.
CLO-3
Write headlines, decks, captions and text with proper grammar and
style and use design vocabulary to critique and describe the work,
SLO-4
Demonstrate the ability to use tools and technologies appropriate
for the communications professions in which they work.
CLO-4
Demonstrate the use of InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator to craft
designs appropriate for newspapers and magazines.
To successfully complete this course, students must be able to
To successfully complete this course, students must be able to
Achieving these learning objectives will bring you closer to the goal of becoming a successful communicator.
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Required Text and Other Material
The textbook for newspaper design sessions is Newspaper Designer’s Handbook, ver.7 (also v.5, v.6), by Tim Harrower; McGraw-Hill,
Columbus, OH, and its ISBN is 978-0-07-299669-2. Additional handouts will be provided. Adobe Creative Cloud software, including
InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop will be used. The free-to-students software is discussed below. Bring your own computer to each
class and plan to use it for all of the assignments.
During the newspaper section, read and bring to class that day’s copy of the Spartan Daily school newspaper so you can participate in class design discussions. During the magazine section, read the latest issue of Access magazine so you can participate in class
design discussions. At the first magazine design class (session m1) bring to class three of your favorite print magazines.
Bring to all classes during the newspaper section
☛☛ A Spartan Daily newspaper and bring your rulers (type & IKEA),
☛☛ A computer and a USB flash drive to save work.
Bring to all classes during the magazine section
☛☛ A computer and a USB drive to save work and bring your rulers,
Textbook
Newspaper
Designer’s
Handbook,
versions
5, 6 or 7.
Version 5
is shown here.
☛☛ Three favorite magazines for the m1 class to select one for use
Class Format
This class is an interactive, hands-on lab/lecture that is educational for all levels of student design skills and reportedly fun.
Students will use Adobe InDesign to create newspaper pages and magazine layouts and submit them online so you need a
computer with Internet access. If you use CS6 or CC on your home computer do not expect to directly open those native .indd files on
the class lab computers (Macs with Adobe CS3). Backwards compatibility may be OK for CC>CS4 using .idml files but not for CC/CS6 >
CS3. Cross-platform fonts and unlinked files can present problems when moving .indd files from one computer to another.
Free software for your own computer
An SJSU contract with Adobe allows you to download and use the licensed software needed for this class through mid September
2016. Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite of applications is available to SJSU students from http://its.sjsu.edu/services/adobe/.
For this class we will be using InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop applications, mostly. The installation files are huge so when you
download all of it connect to a high-speed broadband with a LAN cable instead of WiFi and expect the session to take up to 45 minutes.
Class process and how to submit assignments/projects
The instructor will provide files for most of the design projects in class and on Canvas. Assignments/projects must be completed on
time and as a “smallest-file-size” print PDF files. Late work will result in lower grades/points and you will miss out on feedback.
There will be lectures, critiques/discussions, practice, demos, quizzes, exams, and possibly fieldtrips and guests. Homework will
be in the form of reading assignments and class projects. There will be in-class "e-sandbox" projects but these are not for homework.
The completed assignments will be due and e-mailed as smallest-file-size-for-print PDFs to the instructor each Monday by/before
midnight. E-mail to [email protected]. There are on-campus computer resources but allow for competitive sign-up times —
especially near the end of the semester. The more you use InDesign the more familiar you will become with the design/page-layout
tool so use it every day to practice, practice and practice. Your mid-term and final exams will be done in class using a computer.
We will review your work and discuss intellectual challenges of the communications. You will not be expected to become a great
designer in this class (try anyway) but your critical thinking will improve to the point where you can begin to work effectively in
concert with a publishing design team. If you commit yourself, this class may help ready you for a job by adding valuable skills.
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JOUR 136, Fall 2015 semester, course requirements and assignments
SJSU classes are designed such that in order to be successful, it is expected that students will spend a minimum of forty-five hours for each unit of credit (normally three hours per unit per week),
including preparing for class, participating in course activities, completing assignments, and so on. More details about student workload can be found in University Policy S12-3
at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-3.pdf.
Assignments* and class topics
NEWSPAPER DESIGN
n1. Class 1 Aug.20 Th
Introduction
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
WEEK 3
n3. Class 4 Sep.01 T
Class 5 Sep.03 Th
WEEK 5
WEEK 6
WEEK 7
WEEK 8
Redesign,
Web Design
Review
Mid-term
Weekly design critique; Homework: assignment n7; More styles, tools,
leading vs. line space, tracking vs. kerning, re-read chapters 8, 9.
Weekly design critique; review for mid-term
Mid-term exam; Homework: no assignment but review Harrower.
See p.1
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
n2 Class 2 Aug.25 T
. Class 3 Aug.27 Th
WEEK 4
Photos, Art,
and Ethics
Graphics,
Sidebars
Special Effects,
Features
The first 8 weeks cover the topics in the newspaper segment n1 including an
introduction to Adobe InDesign, class procedures, measurement units, type
rulers, e-sandbox for many classes, process of PDF creation for assignments
and e-mailing them. Homework: assignment n1 bio; read Harrower’s Intro.
(Last drop day: Feb.03) Critique the stories and design of the
Spartan Daily; Review of design basics; Practice InDesign program;
Ink and paper; Homework: assignment n2; read chapters 1, 5
(Last add day: Feb.10) Weekly design critique. How do you judge the
importance of stories, news and photo interactions? Modular design, tools
Homework: assignment n3; read chapters 2, 3.
Weekly design critique; Choosing photos, cropping for impact, and the
ethics of Photoshop, image rights. Homework: n4; read chapter 4.
Weekly design critique. Visual storytelling, reader entry portals, breakout
material using infographics. Homework: assignment n5; read chapter 6.
Weekly design critique. Putting on the glitz and amplifying ideas.
Homework: assignment n6; read chapters 7, 8, 9.
n4. Class 6 Sep.08 T
Class 7 Sep.10 Th
n5. Class 8 Sep.15 T
Class 9 Sep.17 Th
n6. Class 10 Sep.22 T
Class 11 Sep.24 Th
n7. Class 12 Sep.29 T
Class 13 Oct.01 Th
n8. Class 14 Oct.06 T
Class 15 Oct.08 Th
Fundamentals,
Nuts and Bolts
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
Story Design,
Page Design
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
MAGAZINE DESIGN
WEEK 9
WEEK 10
WEEK 11
WEEK 12
WEEK 13
WEEK 14
m1.Class 16 Oct.13 T
Class 17 Oct.15 Th
m2.Class 18 Oct.20 T
Class 19 Oct.22 Th
m3.Class 20 Oct.27 T
Class 21 Oct.29 Th
m4.Class 22 Nov.03 T
Class 23 Nov.05 Th
m5.Class 24 Nov.10 T
Class 25 Nov.12 Th
m6.Class 26 Nov.17 T
Class 27 Nov.19 Th
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
WEEK 15
m7.Class 28 Nov.24 T
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
WEEK 16
m8.Class 29 Dec.01 T
Class 30 Dec.03 Th
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
WEEK 17
m9.Class 31 Dec.08 T
Class 32 Dec.11 F
SLO-1,
2, 3, 4
Magazine
Anatomy
Words +
Pictures
Typography
Lecture, fractions, tabs, die-cuts, glyphs; common magazine components;
first “m” assignment: editor’s letter page design; study handouts
Lecture; review work; take quiz; review editor’s letter; discuss
assignment for full-color ToC design, tabs, and tables
Lecture; review work; assignment for ToC designs using only black ink not
full-color; take quiz; varnish; spot color; type transgressions; history
Photo Spread Lecture; review work; take quiz;, discuss assignment of 2-page photo
feature spread requiring layout and design approval
Feature Story Lecture; review work; take quiz; discuss 5-page feature story assignment;
brainstorming; design elements, find/change, scripts, autoflow options
The Cover,
Lecture; review work; take quiz; augmented reality; varnish
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Briefs pages
Lecture; review work; take quiz; varnish+PMS (Holiday on Thursday)
Print mfg.
Assignment; working with a commercial printing company; Preflight and
presets, paper selection, ink+varnish tactics; extra-credit assignment ?
Review
Final Exam
Extra-credit critique, final exam discussion
2:45–5:00pm, bring fully-charged laptop, textbook, rulers, quizzes, notes
*Deadlines are subject to change with fair e-mail/class notice. Usually, work is due each Monday before midnight.
Adding up points (Grading process)
The sum of points from the newspaper design section plus the magazine design section determine the final grade. A maximum of 48
plus 52 points totals 100 points possible for the semester. The sum of the two sections in points also represent percentage. Participation includes discussions, team layout planning, critiques and in-class work. Regular participation is critical to success.
In the newspaper design section, the total points are accumulated by
☛☛ Six graded in-class/homework
assignments exploring
newspaper design (not n1, n8)
12 points total (2 points x 6 assignments = 12 points)
☛☛ Quizzes (six total)
☛☛ Class/lab participation 6 points total (1 point x 6 quizzes = 6 points)
24points (1.5 points x 16 classes = 24 points)
☛☛ Mid-term 6points
48 points possible for this section
In the magazine design section, the points are accumulated by
☛☛ Seven graded in-class/homework
assignments exploring design
challenges of magazine
development, production (not m8)
☛☛ Quizzes (Seven total)
14points [(2 pts x 5) + (4pts x 1) = 14 points]
7points (1 point x 7 quizzes = 7 points)
☛☛ Class/lab participation 21points (1.5 points x 14 sessions = 21 points)
☛☛ Final 10points (covering the full semester)
52points possible for this section
100 points total
+2 extra credit (m7)
☛☛
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Class 42939
NOTE that University Policy F69-24 at http://www.
sjsu.edu/senate/docs/F69-24.pdf states that “Students should attend all meetings of their classes,
not only because they are responsible for material
discussed therein, but because active participation
is frequently essential to insure maximum benefit
for all members of the class. Attendance per se
shall not be used as a criterion for grading.”
Points converted to grades
The final letter grade ranging from A+ through F will be based
on the number of points
earned in the class
as follows:
Note that “All students have the right, within a reasonable time, to know their academic scores,
to review their grade-dependent work, and to be provided with explanations for the determination
of their course grades.” See University Policy F13-1 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/F13-1.pdf
for more details.
How
Can
can I get I make
up
an A? the quiz I
What if
I am stuck on an
assignment?
A+= 98–100
A = 94–97
A- = 90–93
B+= 87–89
B = 83–86
B-= 80–82
Understand this syllabus, commit
C+= 77–79
Contact a classmate
yourself
to the class, earn most of the
C = 73–76
or e-mail me at
No, but
possible points, and participate.
C- = 70–72
[email protected]
you can have a
D+= 67–69
How
copy of the original
D = 63–66
much study per week?
to study from.
D-= 60–62
F = 59 and Below
The university policy is at least three hours per unit.
missed?
Late Papers and Missed Assignments
It is absolutely essential that journalists meet deadlines. Less credit will be given for late work without a valid reason: written
medical excuse or documentation of a family emergency or death in the immediate family. Turn in late work anyway no matter what
the reason for missing a deadline — you won’t get feedback but you will get more experience.
Diversity in newspapers and magazines
America is nation based on an open democratic standard. Our media needs to communicate free of race, class, sexual orientation and
other biases while realizing the diverse audiences they cater to so the electorate can remain informed about the truth. This J-136 class
provides a platform, in an atmosphere of academic freedom, for better understanding of the role journalism and communications
design have in such a diverse society. For more information see the School of Journalism and Mass Communications director Robert
Rucker's website document at http://www.profbob.com/JMC%20Director/JMC%20Diversity%20Statement%202011.pdf .
Classroom protocol
To avoid disruptions in the classroom and to foster an atmosphere for learning, the following classroom policies are in place:
☛☛ Turn off all mobile-device ringtones (or set to vibrate) in the classroom and text or e-mail outside the room only.
☛☛ Latecomers may be denied entrance to the classroom. Similarly, do not disrupt the class by leaving early.
☛☛ Do not schedule work, personal appointments (doctor’s visits), etc. so that there will be a conflict with the time the class meets.
☛☛ When in the classroom, use laptops and other electronic devices for classroom-related activities only.
☛☛ Remove your personal belongings and trash after each class. Any found items may be taken to the main JMC office.
☛☛ No food is allowed in classrooms or labs.
Students registered in upper division courses (those numbered 100 and higher) in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications are required to have a laptop and wireless Internet access.
Library Liaison, Peer Connections and the Writing Center
The Journalism and Mass Communications Library Liaison is Paul Kauppila: [email protected] , 408.808.2042.
Paul's profile is at http://libguides.sjsu.edu/prf.php?account_id=41841 . Peer Connections, a campus-wide resource for
mentoring and tutoring, strives to inspire students to develop their potential as independent learners. Visit the Peer Connections website at http://peerconnections.sjsu.edu/ . Become a better writer: visit http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/ .
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University policies
Dropping and adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current
semester’s Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars webpage at http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_
calendars/. The Late Drop Policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the
current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.
Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
Consent for recording of class and public sharing of instructor material
University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-7.pdf, requires students to obtain instructor’s permission to record:
☛☛ “Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify someone when you are recording him/her. You must obtain
the instructor’s permission to make audio or video recordings in this class. Such permission allows the recordings to be used for
your private, study purposes only. The recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor; you have not been given any
rights to reproduce or distribute the material.”
☛☛ The instructor’s process for granting permission requires a written note asking for the whole semester or class by class basis.
☛☛ In classes where active participation of students or guests may be on the recording, permission of those students or guests
should be obtained as well.
☛☛ “Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of the instructor and cannot be shared publicly without
his/her approval. You may not publicly share or upload instructor generated material for this course such as exam questions,
lecture notes, or homework solutions without instructor consent.” That statement should be in any written request.
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Academic integrity
Your commitment, as a student, to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University. The University Academic
Integrity Policy S07-2 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S07-2.pdf requires you to be honest in all your academic course work.
Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The Student Conduct
and Ethical Development website is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.
To plagiarize is to “steal and use (the ideas or writings of another) as one’s own.” (American Heritage Dictionary of the English
Language. 1975). You are committing plagiarism if you:
☛☛ Copy phrases, sentences, or passages from electronic or print sources (journal articles, the web, etc.) into your own papers and
reports without giving credit by citing the original source
☛☛ Quote someone else’s exact words without giving credit to the original author
☛☛ Use someone else’s specific ideas even if you restate them in your own words.
Campus policy in compliance with the
American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations
because of a disability, or if you need to make special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated,
please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 at http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/
directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that students with
disabilities requesting accommodations must register with
the Accessible Education Center (AEC) at http://www.sjsu.
edu/aec to establish a record of their disability.
Accommodation to Students' Religious Holidays
San José State University shall provide accommodation on any
graded class work or activities for students wishing to observe
religious holidays when such observances require students to
be absent from class. It is the responsibility of the student to
inform the instructor, in writing, about such holidays before the
add deadline at the start of each semester. If such holidays occur
before the add deadline, the student must notify the instructor,
in writing, at least three days before the date that he/she will be
absent. It is the responsibility of the instructor to make every reasonable effort to honor the student request without penalty, and
of the student to make up the work missed. See University Policy
S14-7 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S14-7.pdf.
You are responsible for understanding the policies
and procedures about add/drops, academic renewals,
withdrawals, incompletes, classroom behaviors and
other policies.
Visit http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/Students/. Also,
please read the relevant parts of the SJSU catalog thoroughly.
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FALL 2015
SJSU ACADEMIC YEAR CALENDAR
2015/16*
SJSU Fall 2015 semester calendar
Friday.............................July 3 ............................. Independence Day (observed) - Campus Closed (I)
Tuesday .........................August 18 ...................... Academic Year Begins – Fall Semester Begins
Tuesday-Wednesday.....August 18-19 ................. Pre-Instruction Activities: Orientation, Advisement, Faculty
.............................................................................. Meetings and Conferences (P)
Thursday........................August 20 ...................... First Day of Instruction – Classes Begin
Tuesday .........................September 1 .................. Last Day to Drop Courses Without an Entry on Student's
Permanent Record (D)
Monday ..........................September 7 .................. Labor Day - Campus Closed (L)
Wednesday....................September 9 .................. Last Day to Add Courses & Register Late (A)
Thursday........................September 17 ................ Enrollment Census Date (CD)
Wednesday....................November 11 ................. Veteran’s Day - Campus Closed (V)
Wednesday....................November 25 ................. Classes that start at 5:00 PM or later will not meet.
Thursday........................November 26 ................. Thanksgiving Holiday - Campus Closed (T)
Friday .............................November 27 ................. Rescheduled Holiday - Campus Closed (RH)
Tuesday .........................December 8 ................... Last Day of Instruction - Last Day of Classes
Wednesday....................December 9 ................... Study/Conference Day (no classes or exams) (SC)
Thursday-Friday.............December 10-11,........... Final Examinations (exams)
Monday-Wednesday......December 14-16............ Final Examinations (exams)
Thursday........................December 17 ................. Final Examinations Make-Up Day (MU)
Friday .............................December 18 ................. Grade Evaluation Day (E)
Monday ..........................December 21 ................. Grades Due From Faculty - End of Fall Semester (G)
December 22- ................. WINTER RECESS
January 26
Friday .............................December 25 ................. Christmas Holiday - Campus Closed (CH)
SPRING 2016
To obtain a digital copy of this calendar document please visit
http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/Provost_2015-16%20AYCal_Revised.pdf
Friday.............................January 1 ....................... New Year’s Day - Campus Closed (N)
Monday ..........................January 18 ..................... Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Campus Closed (K)
Tuesday .........................January 26 .................... Spring Semester Begins
Tuesday-Wednesday.....January 27 .................... Pre-Instruction Activities: Orientation, Advisement,
.................
............ Faculty Meetings and Conferences (P)
Thursday........................January 28 ..................... First Day of Instruction – Classes Begin
Tuesday .........................February 9 ..................... Last Day to Drop Courses Without an Entry on Student's
Permanent Record (D)
Tuesday .........................February 16 ................... Last Day to Add Courses & Register Late (A)
Wednesday....................February 24 ................... Enrollment Census Date (CD)
Monday-Friday ...............March 28-April 1 ............ Spring Recess (*SPRING RECESS*)
Thursday........................March 31........................ Cesar Chavez Day - Campus Closed (CC)
Monday ..........................May 16 ........................... Last Day of Instruction – Last Day of Classes
Tuesday .........................May 17 ........................... Study/Conference Day (no classes or exams) (SC)
Wednesday-Friday ........May 18-20,..................... Final Examinations (exams)
Monday-Tuesday ...........May 23-24...................... Final Examinations (exams)
Wednesday....................May 25 ........................... Final Examinations Make-Up Day (MU)
Thursday........................May 26 ........................... Grade Evaluation Day (E)
Friday .............................May 27 .......................... Grades Due From Faculty (G)
Friday .............................May 27 ........................... End of Academic Year- End of Spring Semester
Saturday ........................May 28 ........................... Commencement (C)
Monday ..........................May 30 ........................... Memorial Day - Campus Closed (M)
*Subject to change based on factors beyond cam pus control
**To obtain an electronic copy of this calend ar and other AY Calend ars, please visit**
http:/ / w w w .sjsu.ed u/ provost/ Acad em ic_Calend ars/
Office of Faculty Affairs
Wednesday, March 04, 2015
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