EJ syllabus

What: English 735, Entrepreneurial Journalism (EJ)

When: Monday, 4:10-6

Where: Hamilton Smith 103 Journalism Lab

Who: Andrew V. Marsters; Office HS 51C; Phone 207-831-4726; email: marsters@unh.edu

The syllabus, Fall 2013

“Change is hard. Many journalists and news executives have struggled with the changing dynamics of the news business. But remember: Change and disruption mean opportunity.”

                                                                                         Mark Briggs, “Entrepreneurial Journalism.”

“What’s happening today is as big as the invention of the printing press.”

                                                                                        Marketwatch founder Larry Kramer

“Woody Allen has failed spectacularly, in every way we can imagine – personally, professionally, etc. And yet he’s always pushing forward, trying to surprise us again and again, and largely succeeding rather than giving up.”

                                                                                        James Altucher, “Choose Yourself.”

I.            COURSE DESCRIPTION

Journalism is changing drastically and fundamentally. It is fracturing. Nobody really knows what the hell is going on. We don’t even know what journalism is any more. Not long ago we thought journalism was newspapers and TV news anchors. Hah! Old models simply no longer exist. That puts us in a terrible spot. Actually, it puts you in a terrible spot. What does it mean to be a journalist? How do I make a buck (nevermind a living) practicing it? It's unlikely that an aspiring journalist today is going to sign on with one news organization and stay there. In fact, following the meltdown of legacy media outfits over the last few years, it may be difficult to sign on with any organization at all. This may sound like bad news. But it also puts you in a terribly good spot. For the innovative, creative and ambitious journalist, it should sound like opportunity. In this class we will explore the ways that journalists can function in the exploding world of online publishing. We will imagine ways to monetize good journalism practices by studying the opportunities, meeting entrepreneurs and innovators who are making it work. Those who prefer to work in print will find the course equally valuable as they learn to balance business objectives with quality journalism.

II. STUDENT PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to work with an entrepreneurial journalism project from idea and into if not through development. Students will learn how to write a business plan; understand marketing tools including social media; evaluate markets; define missions and goals; operate a small business effectively from day to day. Students will be evaluated on creativity, teamwork, clear and effective communication, and quality of work. We’re going to think, innovate, and create.

III.             COURSE READINGS: 

 

            Briggs, Mark. “Entrepreneurial Journalism.”

            Doctor, Ken. “Newsonomics: Twelve New Trends That Will Shape the News You Get.”

            Boston Globe digital

IV.             WHAT STUDENTS WILL DO

Publish an idea blog with at least four entries per week.

Learn basic business principles. Crash course in numbers for writers.

Study the history of the relationship between business and journalism from the first newspapers through the current digital revolution.

Study the roles of risk, innovation, failure, flexibility, success, and change in entrepreneurship.

Identify a successful journalism entrepreneur. Shadow, interview, and profile that person either in a written report or a multimedia presentation. 

Explore and develop entrepreneurial journalism ideas.

 V.            SCHEDULE

            Due Every week after Week 1: At least four entries in your blogs. These entries will explore subjects such as your exposure to entrepreneurship; conflicts of traditional and new media; the challenges of finding money; discovery of new tools, ideas, or individuals on the cutting edge of new media; press coverage of new media. Each entry should be about 250 words.

Weeks 1 and 2: Introduction and overview. 

Week 3: What is innovation? Who is cut out for this kind of work? Who are some great entrepreneurs? Read Chapter 4, “Entrepreneurial Journalism.” On your blogs, identify and write short (50 words) bios of two entrepreneurs you would like to interview. One should be an entrepreneur in any field; the other will be in media.

Week 4: Who is succeeding? Who is trying? Who has failed? Three journalist/entrepreneurs discuss their experiences creating or working in convergence media.  Read Chapters 5 through 8, “Newsonomics.” Due today: First 600-word Q&A with an entrepreneur, posted on your blog.

Week 5: How and where do we look for an opportunity to break in? “Read Chapters 9 through 12, “Newsonomics” and Chapter 5 of “Entrepreneurial Journalism.”

Week 6: How do I write a proposal? How do I write a business plan? Read Chapter 8, “Entrepreneurial Journalism.” Review sample business plans.

Week 8: Where does money come from and how can I get my hands on it? Grants, venture capitalists, friends and family. Due today 600-word Q&A with a journalism entrepreneur, posted to your blog.

Week 9:  Marketing using traditional and social media. Read Chapter 7, “Entrepreneurial Journalism.”

             Week 10: In-class presentation of blogs including analytics; advertising results.

             Week 11: Discussion with guests on where all this is going. Due today: First draft of business plan.

             Week 12: Presentation and critique of business plans, Part 1.

Week 13: Presentation and critique of business plans, Part II.

             Week 14: Response to business plans; wrap-up.

VI. Grades

            40 percent: Blog, based on the quality of writing; site design; success as judged by traffic, income.

            40 percent: Business plan project.

            20 percent class participation.

VII.            THE BOTTOM LINE

Attendance in class is mandatory. You must get here on time. You must meet deadlines. You must attend any scheduled meetings with me and be there on time. You must not text in class. Please do not bring meals to class. Coffee, soda, energy bars, etc. are fine. We will break for five minutes halfway through class for bathroom breaks, social networking, etc.

                 Here’s the math: Missing one class or deadline or meeting is forgiven (the work must still be completed.)

            If you miss two of any of the three, we’ll talk.

                 If you miss any combination of three classes or deadlines or meetings, your final grade will drop by an entire point, i.e, A becomes B, or C becomes D, or whatever.

                 If you miss any combination of four classes, meetings and/or deadlines, you will fail the course.

     Three late arrivals to class equal an absence.

VII.             PLAGIARISM

            All work in this and every course must be original. Plagiarism will be dealt with severely and will most likely result in failing the class … or worse. Please review the University Academic Honesty Policy section on plagiarism. The tutorial on that site is very instructive.