Journalism Program
Program Coordinator: Taryn Trazkovich
Academic rigor inside and outside of the academy + heavy extracurricular participation + exciting internships = THE place to be at Rockville High School
- Students can explore the world of journalism and improve their writing skills in a fast-paced, hands-on and supportive environment.
- 260 students enrolled in 12 courses.
- Students average a score of 632 on writing section of SAT compared to 537 county average
- Program members take an average three AP courses and are also heavily involved in extra-curricular activities. Students are encouraged to partake of the total high school experience.
Program Projects:
Course Descriptions:
Understanding Media Course Options
- Online Journalism 8039 - Students enrolled in the media connections class, designed for ninth graders entering into the Journalism Program, will be taught the core elements of the journalistic style of writing. They will explore the academy’s print, television and radio tracks through a series of units that allow students to create "mini" publications and productions. Students will learn how to write for print and broadcast media, as well as for the SAT and High School Assessment evaluations. Field trips to professional print and broadcast media outlets are also planned.
- TV Production I,II 7860, 7862 - This course introduces the fundamentals of television production. Activities are centered on studio and field productions. The course offers a combination of theory and practical experiences. Activities in TV2 include the exploration of major issues affecting television broadcasting, programming, and scheduling. Advanced writing and production techniques for a variety of formats are covered. Students in both sections are responsible for the production of the operation of WRAM-TV which broadcasts the morning announcements program.
- Radio Production A/B 5169, 5170 - This course introduces students to the fundamentals of radio production and to the operation and management of the Internet radio station, WRAM. Students learn to plan for and produce both linear and non-linear audio productions in the form of public service announcements, promotions, reviews, music and other types of productions. The students who enroll in this class are responsible for developing advanced skills in the following three areas: (a) broadcast news writing and reporting, (b) live simulcasting of major school events, and (c) broadcast talk/music radio. Students create their own productions using the school’s equipment. Students use WRAM to inform and entertain the community of RHS. Course fees may apply.
- Yearbook Production1A/B 115001,115101, 2A/B 115201,115301 - (Prerequisite of Media Connections preferred)
Students in this course record the events of the school year for publication in Aries, our school’s yearbook. Students will get hands-on experience in the areas of desktop publishing, photography, writing and the business aspects of yearbook production. Successful students in this course will be able to work with others in a diverse environment. This year’s staff is making RHS history by publishing the school’s first all-color yearbook. It will also be the largest in school history. It is not a coincidence that many Ivy League students were editors of their high school yearbooks. - Journalism IA 1150 - EDITING, GATHERING, AND REPORTING THE NEWS
This basic journalism course is recommended for all students interested in working on school publications and is required for those seeking editorial positions. Students develop skills in gathering and reporting news, editing, copy-editing, and headline writing. Students also consider issues such as the responsibilities of the press, libel and slander laws, problems of censorship, and the role of the news media in shaping public opinion. - Journalism IB 1151
ADV. NEWS WRITING AND PAPER PRODUCTION
Students develop their skills in straight news writing and learn to write sports stories, feature stories, and interpretive pieces. Students research and write a wide sampling of features focusing on areas of newspaper or magazine writing for which they show greatest promise. Students study the principles of newspaper layout and makeup and are encouraged to contribute stories and apply layout principles to the school newspaper production process. - Journalism II A/B 1152,1153
TECHNIQUES OF ADVANCED JOURNALISM
(Prerequisite of Journalism I A/B)
This course emphasizes the interpretive and investigative nature of media. Students examine the similarities and differences of newspaper, news magazine, television, and radio; analyze the unique manner in which each explains and interprets current events; and consider the relative importance of each. Students learn research techniques essential to in-depth reporting and write investigative and interpretative stories. - Journalism Internship 8041/8042 Students work either in school, or out of school in a role consistent with their track of study within the Journalism Program. The students may apply for an "Externship," the opportunity to work in a professional environment outside of school in their area of discipline, or they may use the class period to perform program-related work within their focus area. The course also includes discussion of leadership strategies, guest speakers with topics related to the preparation of the culminating activity, a portfolio of the student’s work. This course requires both a digital and hard copy portfolio which may include audio files, DVD's along with a more traditional paper component. This research portfolio will be presented at the end of each semester, Student will also participate in a mock job interview with the instructor or industry professional.
Questions? Email Program Co-coordinator, Taryn Trazkovich, Taryn_S_Trazkovich@mcpsmd.org