Here is the syllabus for News Editing 380, Sections 1 and 3

What you can learn in this class: The fundamentals of editing. We’ll talk about organizing stories and working with writers in ways that don’t end in threatened or real violence. We'll talk about getting copy ready for publication online and in print. That means knowing how to write headlines that tell and sell stories, being able to find inaccuracies in stories, having the knowledge to correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.

How the class will be conducted: After we’ve gone through some of the basics of copy editing, we’ll operate as a copy desk at a newspaper or online operation: You’ll be the copy editors and I’ll be the slot person giving you assignments and checking your work.

How you can succeed in this class:
Be there. Think of this as a job where missing work means not getting paid. Miss class and you won’t get graded. Unless you make prior arrangements with me, you’ll get no credit if you miss an in-class assignment. I’ll subtract one grade point from your final grade for every unexcused absence.
Meet deadlines. There can be no timely news published with editors who never make deadlines. No assignments in this class will be accepted after deadline unless prior arrangements have been made.
Participate in the discussions. We’ll talk about the news, the English language, readers, writers and how copy editors make all of those things come together happily – or unhappily. Make a contribution.
Do well on the quizzes, exercises and exams. There will be weekly quizzes on style, spelling grammar or current events. The midterm and the final exams will be modeled on hiring tests given to applicants for copy editing jobs and internships.

Here’s how the grading breaks down:
Final – 20 percent
Midterm – 20 percent
Rewrites – 20 percent
Grammar exercises and quizzes – 15 percent
Style quizzes – 10 percent
Writing assignment – 10 percent
General participation – 5 percent

How you will be graded: Your performance on quizzes, exercises and homework will account for 55 percent of your grade. The midterm and final will cover another 40 percent. The final five percent is on general participation.
Once we begin editing stories, I’ll do what a slot person does on a copy desk: Decide whether your work is ready to be published or needs to go back to you for more work. A story that is perfectly publishable gets an “A.” From there, your grade depends on how much effort has to go into getting the work ready for publication. A “D” or “F” story is one with gross factual errors, libelous statements or many grammatical, style or spelling errors.

What texts and supplies you need for this class:
“Working with Words: A Handbook for Media Writers and Editors” by Brian S. Brooks, James L. Pinson and Jean Gaddy Wilson
Associated Press Stylebook (latest edition)
Webster’s New World Dictionary, Fourth College edition
Pencils
Notebook
Calculator
Read the Missoulian, the Kaimin and national and regional publications daily.

Plagiarism warning! Work that contains plagiarized material will receive no credit. Plagiarism is representing another’s work as your own. Plagiarism can mean failing this class and possible suspension from the university. This is easily avoided: Do your own work. Attribute your sources.
Here’s what the University has to say about that:
Academic Honesty: All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online.

Same Work for Multiple Classes in J-School
For this course you may not submit any assignment that has previously or will be concurrently submitted for another class unless you receive prior approval from the professor for this course. To do so without permission will result in an “F” for the assignment and could result in an “F” for the course.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
This course is accessible to and usable by otherwise qualified students with disabilities. To request reasonable program modifications, please consult with the instructor. Disability Services for Students will assist the instructor and student in the accommodation process. For more information, visit the Disability Services website.