End-of-semester schedule

Here’s the drill for the rest of the semester.
Today (Friday, April 24) we’ll deal with any questions on the planning presentations from Wednesday, then finish up class presentations from Frank and Garret.
Monday I’ll present a test review of the material covered in class presentations. The PPT will be posted on the blog as soon as I get it ready, which means it may be available before class on Monday.
Wednesday we’ll have the test on the class presentation material. It will be short. Then I’ll present a review of the material to be covered in the fifth test. This will be a comprehensive test, covering all the material we’ve covered during the semester except for the class presentations. Before you panic, nothing will be on the test that isn’t in the review
Friday is off.
Our final exam period is noon to 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, May 6. Thest fifth test will be similar to the others in form and length and will probably take you about as long. 1:50 p.m. is also the final final deadline for all work to be turned in to me.
Included in that work is a revision of your section of the Guide to Local Government. Turn in one hard copy and also E-MAIL me a copy digitally so I can revise the guide for the next 516 class.
Then we’re done.

 

Dr. P. on the future of journalism

A student emailed me today to ask what I thought about the Booth newspaper restructuring we talked about in class, and the future of journalism in general. For what it’s worth, here are some thoughts.

As a journalist, I try not to pretend I know something when I don’t. I don’t know what the future holds.

That said, there are various scenarios for a positive future. Here are a few.

 

Scholarship applications available, due March 19

Scholarship applications are now available in the main journalism office on the fourth floor of Moore Hall. Applications will be due at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 19, just after spring break.

 

Revised schedule before Spring Break

Hi, Everybody:
We’ve gotten through the scheduled material a little faster than I anticipated, so here’s what we’re gonna do up to Spring Break.
We’ll take the opportunity to deal with what may be one of the most important public affairs stories of our time, the economic crisis.
We’ll start by spending Monday and Wednesday (Feb. 23-25) watching and discussing an excellent Frontline report called “Inside the Meltdown.” Friday (Feb. 27) we’ll continue with more video coverage of the crisis, TBA.
Monday, March 2, I’ll do the review for the second test, covering all the lecture material so far, plus the economic crisis material. On Wednesday, March 4, we’ll do the test and let class go early.
I’ll use Friday, March 6, to schedule some individual meetings with any of you who feel that you need help with some aspect of the course. We won’t meet as a class on March 6.
I’ll review this schedule change with you first thing in class Monday (Feb. 23) to deal with any questions.

 

Local government council meets tonight

Some of you may be able to get a story or story tips out of attending this meeting. It’s likely to include discussion of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2 percent allocation — an important item in the budgets of local government.
The Council of Government meets at 7 p.m. today at the Borden Building, 300 W. Broadway St.
Local government officials will discuss the economy in the Mid-Michigan area and issues like agriculture growth in rural Isabella County.
Attendees will include Joe Sowmick, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe public relations director; George Dunn, Middle Michigan Development Corporation president, Lisa Hadden of the Chamber of Commerce and David Burdette, vice president of finance and administrative services at Central Michigan University.

 

Guest speaker Monday: Frank Cloutier

Monday we’ll take a break from our consideration of urban planning for a special guest speaker — Frank Cloutier of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s public relations staff.
Topics he might address are the tribe’s status as a sovereign nation and what that means for reporters in regard to open meetings, freedom of information and other issues; as well as the tribe’s 2 percent revenue sharing payments, law enforcement by tribal police, and the history and culture of the tribe.
Cloutier has a bachelor’s in business administration and political science from Wayne State University. With the tribe he has held positions ranging from Gaming Commission chair to public relations director and manager. He was appointed by the governor to the Council of Economic Growth and Development, and is a member of the Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce and executive member of the Anishinabec Language Revitalization Committee for the Tribe.

 

Libel scenario for discussion Monday

Here’s a hypothetical scenario for a discussion of libel law on Monday. Please read it before class and be prepared to talk about it.

You are the editor of a daily newspaper in a city whose economy is dominated by a major chemical company.
A controversial and highly toxic chemical contaminant was recently found in fish in the river that runs through the city, leading to national media attention and claims that the company has polluted the river and endangered health and safety of residents.

 

Order of presentation for beat reports

Based on our lottery Wednesday, here’s the order of presentation for the in-class beat reports, which will begin around March 1. Please make sure you are ready one class period before your number comes up.
1 — Wixted, Union Township
2 — Kalee, Isabella County

 

Job opening, journalism scholarship listed

Here is information about a sports opening and a journalism scholarship.
The Cheboygan Daily Tribune, a five-day morning paper, is looking for a sports writer who wants to step up to sports editor. The paper’s sports coverage includes five high schools, hunting and fishing. Some knowledge of Quark is preferred, but the paper is willing to train. The job is full-time, with insurance, vacation and a pension plan. The Daily Tribune is part of GateHouse Media, which has more than 500 publications across the U.S. Send resume and clips to m.eads@cheboygantribune.com.
The Detroit Chapter of Society of Professional Journalists is taking applications for a $2,500 journalism scholarship to a Southeast Michigan resident who is or will be a sophomore, junior or senior in 2009.
The grant can be used at any four-year-college in Michigan. It honors the late Larry Laurain, former Detroit chapter president and city editor of the Oakland Press.

 

Wednesday’s noon office hour is cancelled

For the second time in two weeks, I have to cancel a scheduled open office hour — this time for the noon period tomorrow (Wednesday). Sorry about that, but the department needs to have special faculty meetings from time to time, and this is one of those times. If you need to see me about something urgently, please let me know and we’ll schedule a time for later Wednesday. Thanks.