Return to SMC220 home page Photo: Al Tielemans/SI (2009)
LECTURE SCHEDULE & READINGS
* Schedule is subject to change with appropriate notice
WEEK 1: WELCOME & INTRODUCTION: From the sofa to the press box
Wednesday, Sept. 3
What we will do in class: Introductions, syllabus & expectations
What is due next class: Read Gisondi, Preface & Chap. 1: From Sports Fan to Sports Reporter (pp. x-10) & Primer A (pp. 323-329)
WEEK 2: GAME STORIES: The building blocks of sports media
Monday, Sept. 8
What we will do in class: Discuss your assessments of the Charlotte-UNC game. What was important? What wasn't really? How did you prepare? Discuss APSE Ethics guide, as well as Gisondi's suggestions.
What is due next class: Read Gisondi, Chap. 2; Read the following game stories:
Meadows, Rays rally from 6 runs down, beat BoSox 11-10 in 10, Kyle Hightower, Associated Press
Kansas State’s title dream ends, Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com
UW one win shy of third straight Final Four Trip, Molly Yanity, Seattle P-I
*Select a game story & break it down; submit via Brightspace and be prepared to discuss in class.
*Start to become familiar with the Sports section of the AP Stylebook (first quiz over A-E - commonly-used sports terms, numbers only)
Wednesday, Sept. 10
What we will do in class: Discuss reading, break down game stories.
What is due next class: Read Gisondi, Chap. 3 & Primer E (pp. 255-358). Read the following game stories:
Kris Jenkins hits buzzer-beater..., Chuck Culpepper, Washington Post
Bellevue ends De La Salle's 151-game streak, Molly Yanity, Seattle P-I
WEEK 3: INTERVIEWS, HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS & PRESS CONFERENCES: Key pieces to the Gamer
Monday, Sept. 15
What we will do in class: Discuss readings, go over your selected game story with a focus on the direct quotes
What is due next class: ; Read Gisondi, Chap. 2.
Wednesday, Sept. 17
What we will do in class: Discuss the building blocks of game storie, how/when to use direct/indirect quotes and AP STYLE.
DEADLINE WRITING: Read in class "Wild, rainy night in the Bronx..." by Pete Caldera, Bergen Record; "Arch Manning had a tough day. Will anyone keep it in perspective?" by Chuck Culpepper, Washington Post
What is due next class: Read "Interview tips and advice for sports journalists" by Brian Moritz; On Monday we have a guest speaker. Treat it like a press conference. Everyone needs to do research and bring questions.
WEEK 4: MORE ON INTERVIEWS & WRITING ON DEADLINE
Monday, Sept. 22
What we will do in class: GUEST SPEAKER: Chuck Culpepper, Washington Post
What is due next class: Nothing.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
What we will do in class: Inverted pyramid, more on game stories.
What is due next class: Find dates for game stories. Read Gisondi Primer D on covering HS sports.
WEEK 5: WHO YOU MEET COVERING A GAME... AND WHAT THEY DO
Monday, Sept. 29
What we will do in class: Make story assignments & talk about how we approach athletic directors, coaches and player
**GAME STORIES CAN COMMENCE; Game story guidelines listed here**
What is due next class: Make calls for first game story
GISONDI LINKS: Cross country | Field hockey | Football | Soccer | Volleyball
IMPORTANT LINKS: AP Style cheat sheet | AP Style sports
Wednesday, Oct. 1
What we will do in class: GUEST SPEAKER: Shane Donaldson, associate athletic director (communication & new media), URI
What is due next class: READ THE FOLLOWING:
Social media: A tool for sports journalists by Cassie Campise
Check out ESPN insider Adam Schefter on Instagram and X. (Make sure it's the real one!)
Check out Boston Globe NBA writer Gary Washburn on Instagram and X.
Write and submit the following: How do you use socialmedia as a sports media CONSUMER?
WEEK 6: SOCIAL MEDIA, MULTIMEDIA & SPORTS COVERAGE
Monday, Oct. 6
What we will do in class: Discuss social media and sports coverage
What is due next class: READ THE FOLLOWING:
Gisondi, Chapter 9
Wednesday, Oct. 8
No class; Professor out of town
What is due next class:
WEEK 7: VIDEO, STORYTELLING & SOCIAL MEDIA
Monday, Oct. 13
No class; Columbus Day
What is due next class: Read Gisondi, Chapter 10-12
Wednesday, Oct. 15
What we will do in class: Discuss use of multimedia; who is doing what and where
What is due next class:
Game Story #2 must be done by Oct. 27 and must include social media updates .
WEEK 8: PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Monday, Oct. 20 and Wednesday, Oct. 22
Create social video to preview Game Story #3
Game Story #3 must be done by Nov. 15.
WEEKS 9-11: FEATURE STORIES
To read & discuss:
Short feature: UW golf career a 'Paige'-turner, Molly Yanity, Seattle P-I
Medium feature: The price and payoff of Kelsey Plum's obsession with winning, ESPN
Long feature: When winter never ends, Wright Thompson, ESPN
Bonus: Split Image, Kate Fagan, ESPN (Warning: This story refers to suicide; please be aware)
WEEK 12: MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING
Wednesday, Nov. 12
What we will do in class: Guest speaker, sports photographer C.J. Gunther
WEEK 13: STRUCTURE OF FEATURE STORIES
Monday, Nov. 17 -- No class
Wednesday, Nov. 19
What we will do in class: Beginning, middle & end; pitches, deadlines upcoming
WEEK 14: MORE ON FEATURES/THANKSIVING
Monday, Nov. 24
What we will do in class: Discuss interviews for feature stories & talk about pitches that were due today
INTERVIEWING TIPS & TECHNIQUES: "Loosening Lips" by Eric Nalder
Wednesday, Nov. 26
NO CLASS, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
What is due next class: Read the following:
Baseball's surrender on Pete Rose is a disgrace to the game -- Sally Jenkins, Washington Post
Sports needs a healthier version of masculinity, and men need to create it -- Jerry Brewer, Washington Post
Shadeur Sanders made his first start! The Browns won! Choose your narrative -- Make Sando, The Athletic
WEEK 15: SPORTS COLUMNS
Monday, Dec. 1
What we will do in class: Break down those three columns above; tips and tricks
What is due bext class: Bring in a favorite column; be ready to discuss
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Discuss columns; go over any drafts you may have.
Feature Stories due Dec. 7 via Brightspace
Final column due Dec. 15 via Brightspace
* Schedule is subject to change with appropriate notice
WEEK 1: WELCOME & INTRODUCTION: From the sofa to the press box
Wednesday, Sept. 3
What we will do in class: Introductions, syllabus & expectations
What is due next class: Read Gisondi, Preface & Chap. 1: From Sports Fan to Sports Reporter (pp. x-10) & Primer A (pp. 323-329)
WEEK 2: GAME STORIES: The building blocks of sports media
Monday, Sept. 8
What we will do in class: Discuss your assessments of the Charlotte-UNC game. What was important? What wasn't really? How did you prepare? Discuss APSE Ethics guide, as well as Gisondi's suggestions.
What is due next class: Read Gisondi, Chap. 2; Read the following game stories:
Meadows, Rays rally from 6 runs down, beat BoSox 11-10 in 10, Kyle Hightower, Associated Press
Kansas State’s title dream ends, Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com
UW one win shy of third straight Final Four Trip, Molly Yanity, Seattle P-I
*Select a game story & break it down; submit via Brightspace and be prepared to discuss in class.
*Start to become familiar with the Sports section of the AP Stylebook (first quiz over A-E - commonly-used sports terms, numbers only)
Wednesday, Sept. 10
What we will do in class: Discuss reading, break down game stories.
What is due next class: Read Gisondi, Chap. 3 & Primer E (pp. 255-358). Read the following game stories:
Kris Jenkins hits buzzer-beater..., Chuck Culpepper, Washington Post
Bellevue ends De La Salle's 151-game streak, Molly Yanity, Seattle P-I
WEEK 3: INTERVIEWS, HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS & PRESS CONFERENCES: Key pieces to the Gamer
Monday, Sept. 15
What we will do in class: Discuss readings, go over your selected game story with a focus on the direct quotes
What is due next class: ; Read Gisondi, Chap. 2.
Wednesday, Sept. 17
What we will do in class: Discuss the building blocks of game storie, how/when to use direct/indirect quotes and AP STYLE.
DEADLINE WRITING: Read in class "Wild, rainy night in the Bronx..." by Pete Caldera, Bergen Record; "Arch Manning had a tough day. Will anyone keep it in perspective?" by Chuck Culpepper, Washington Post
What is due next class: Read "Interview tips and advice for sports journalists" by Brian Moritz; On Monday we have a guest speaker. Treat it like a press conference. Everyone needs to do research and bring questions.
WEEK 4: MORE ON INTERVIEWS & WRITING ON DEADLINE
Monday, Sept. 22
What we will do in class: GUEST SPEAKER: Chuck Culpepper, Washington Post
What is due next class: Nothing.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
What we will do in class: Inverted pyramid, more on game stories.
What is due next class: Find dates for game stories. Read Gisondi Primer D on covering HS sports.
WEEK 5: WHO YOU MEET COVERING A GAME... AND WHAT THEY DO
Monday, Sept. 29
What we will do in class: Make story assignments & talk about how we approach athletic directors, coaches and player
**GAME STORIES CAN COMMENCE; Game story guidelines listed here**
What is due next class: Make calls for first game story
GISONDI LINKS: Cross country | Field hockey | Football | Soccer | Volleyball
IMPORTANT LINKS: AP Style cheat sheet | AP Style sports
Wednesday, Oct. 1
What we will do in class: GUEST SPEAKER: Shane Donaldson, associate athletic director (communication & new media), URI
What is due next class: READ THE FOLLOWING:
Social media: A tool for sports journalists by Cassie Campise
Check out ESPN insider Adam Schefter on Instagram and X. (Make sure it's the real one!)
Check out Boston Globe NBA writer Gary Washburn on Instagram and X.
Write and submit the following: How do you use socialmedia as a sports media CONSUMER?
WEEK 6: SOCIAL MEDIA, MULTIMEDIA & SPORTS COVERAGE
Monday, Oct. 6
What we will do in class: Discuss social media and sports coverage
What is due next class: READ THE FOLLOWING:
Gisondi, Chapter 9
Wednesday, Oct. 8
No class; Professor out of town
What is due next class:
WEEK 7: VIDEO, STORYTELLING & SOCIAL MEDIA
Monday, Oct. 13
No class; Columbus Day
What is due next class: Read Gisondi, Chapter 10-12
Wednesday, Oct. 15
What we will do in class: Discuss use of multimedia; who is doing what and where
What is due next class:
Game Story #2 must be done by Oct. 27 and must include social media updates .
WEEK 8: PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Monday, Oct. 20 and Wednesday, Oct. 22
Create social video to preview Game Story #3
Game Story #3 must be done by Nov. 15.
WEEKS 9-11: FEATURE STORIES
To read & discuss:
Short feature: UW golf career a 'Paige'-turner, Molly Yanity, Seattle P-I
Medium feature: The price and payoff of Kelsey Plum's obsession with winning, ESPN
Long feature: When winter never ends, Wright Thompson, ESPN
Bonus: Split Image, Kate Fagan, ESPN (Warning: This story refers to suicide; please be aware)
WEEK 12: MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING
Wednesday, Nov. 12
What we will do in class: Guest speaker, sports photographer C.J. Gunther
WEEK 13: STRUCTURE OF FEATURE STORIES
Monday, Nov. 17 -- No class
Wednesday, Nov. 19
What we will do in class: Beginning, middle & end; pitches, deadlines upcoming
WEEK 14: MORE ON FEATURES/THANKSIVING
Monday, Nov. 24
What we will do in class: Discuss interviews for feature stories & talk about pitches that were due today
INTERVIEWING TIPS & TECHNIQUES: "Loosening Lips" by Eric Nalder
Wednesday, Nov. 26
NO CLASS, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
What is due next class: Read the following:
Baseball's surrender on Pete Rose is a disgrace to the game -- Sally Jenkins, Washington Post
Sports needs a healthier version of masculinity, and men need to create it -- Jerry Brewer, Washington Post
Shadeur Sanders made his first start! The Browns won! Choose your narrative -- Make Sando, The Athletic
WEEK 15: SPORTS COLUMNS
Monday, Dec. 1
What we will do in class: Break down those three columns above; tips and tricks
What is due bext class: Bring in a favorite column; be ready to discuss
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Discuss columns; go over any drafts you may have.
Feature Stories due Dec. 7 via Brightspace
Final column due Dec. 15 via Brightspace