Journalism & Media (JAM)

Journalism and Media Studies 1-2 (JAM 1-2) is a Career Technical Education introduction course where students learn and practice the fundamentals, law, and ethics of journalism and multimedia, sharing the common thread of storytelling. 

Curriculum ranges from the historical to current iterations of journalism and media production, with analysis of newspaper, website publication, magazine print, podcasting, photo, film and social media content. Purpose, bias, ethics, law, industry/career and context are lenses we apply.

Processes include learning about AP style, journalism ethics and law; students will practice their newfound knowledge by generating story ideas, researching, interviewing, note-taking, writing, producing, editing, and publishing stories. There are photojournalism and design components, where students practice photography using DSLR cameras, photo editing and page layout with Adobe software. There is also an audio-video production component. Students have the opportunity to pair with older student mentors and take over the Redwood Bark for a “Cub Edition” during the second semester, where they choose their storytelling format and topic and opt in or out of leadership components such as section editors, business managers, survey managers, copy editors, etc…. All student work is open to consideration for publication through The Bark online and/or in print.

Journalism and Media Studies 3-4 (JAM 3-4) is a CTE concentrator course that builds atop JAM 1-2. This course is unique in that students are continually creating content and working towards publication through the student news organization, The Redwood Bark, Tam News or the Archie Pitch.

Students continue to solidify foundations in journalism and media studies with consideration on a more granular level. Focal points include the following: fine-tuning writing, longer form feature writing, documentation through photography, audio & video, production processes, particulars of the Associated Press resources, case studies of local, national and international media, and ways to develop and promote engaging student publications. The lenses of purpose, bias, ethics, law and context continue from JAM 1-2.

All coursework, discussion and content publication is introduced and facilitated by the adviser alongside management and mentorship from student leaders enrolled in JAM 3-4.

All student work is open to consideration for publication through The Bark online, while examples are shown of JAM 5-6’s stories published with community partnerships such as The Marin IJ, PBS Student Reporting Labs, Redwood TV & Marin Living Magazine.

Journalism and Media Studies Leadership 5-6 (JAM 5-6) is a CTE capstone course that marks students’ successful completion of the pathway’s introduction and concentrator courses alongside strong student interest to lead by example, manage the student publications, and facilitate publishing opportunities with community partners.

JAM 5-6  students take on roles such as Editor-in-Chief, Head Copy Editor, and Senior Staff Writer. By the end of this three-course sequence, students will have built a comprehensive portfolio that showcases their skills development in journalistic writing, publication, and production with a career examination and preparation component to be submitted to the national “Journalist of the Year” (JOY) competition. Successful pathway completion is marked by CTE certification and graduation sash.  

JAM 5-6  students make decisions regarding which content will be published online, on social media, and/or in print as well as in community partnerships such as The Marin IJ, PBS Student Reporting Labs & Marin Living. They also enjoy the freedom to work on a “senior staff project” that explores a topic relevant to them personally and their readers.