Faculty Syllabus

The course requirments fot his course is Communication 2311 (News Reporting I).

The readings for this course will be free online materials.

Course Description

The study of copy editing and layout processes with emphasis on editing for accuracy, fairness, readability, and design.

Student Learning Outcomes 

• Coach writers on how to develop, research, and prepare media content, including investigative reports, feature obituaries, governmental stories, columns, crime and court stories, and editorials;
• Demonstrate and apply mastery of Associated Press and other media outlet style requirements;
• Coach writers on writing style, content, and organization on deadline;
• Adapt content for evolving media technology;
• Understand and  respect the value of multiculturalism and diversity in media writing;
• Supervise beat reporters, coaching them with respect to sources and content;
• Demonstrate expertise in using evolving social media as platforms for breaking news;
• Recognize legal and ethical limitations on media content, and edit stories to reflect the principles of libel, invasion of privacy, copyright, and mass communication ethics;
• Write headlines appropriate to multiple media platforms; 
• Identify, evaluate, and apply visual and design elements to media content.

Course Objectives

• Development of editing and news outlet management skills responsive to the evolving demands of evolving news media; 
• Development of increased analytical skills for coaching and assisting writers, columnists, photojournalists, and other media content providers;
• Development of news judgment for selection of media content, with recognition of media messages as expressions of individual and societal values within technical, economic, historical, and social contexts;
• Understanding of the roles of news outlets in public discourse;
• Understanding media law and ethics and responsibility in news gathering and reporting;
• Development of skills in selection, editing, and placement of content in evolving news outlets;
• Mastery of Associated Press and other style guidelines.

Course Syllabus: COMM 2305

Copy Editing

Tentative Syllabus

Spring 2026

Instructor: David Kano                                             Belief is meaningless without action.

CRN: 33697

Online (ONL) Class: This is a fully asynchronous class.

Office Hours In Person: Mondays 12 pm – 1:30 pm and by appointment

Office Hours Online: Mondays 1:30 pm – 3 pm, Tuesdays 1 pm – 2 pm and by appointment

Location: Rio Grande Campus 3252

E-mail: david.kano@austincc.edu

Phone: (512) 223-3390

Communication: Email is the best way to reach me and I usually respond within 24 hours during the week. If you email me on a Friday, response may come following Monday. Also, please be sure to send a professional email which includes a greeting, proper body, and closing.

Response: Although you should receive a response from me within the time parameters given – sometimes emails get buried, go to spam, or simply aren’t sent. My schedule fills up quickly as well – so unless there are days that go by (outside of the weekend) without a response, then you can follow-up to ensure I received your message.

Prerequisite

Communication 2311 (News Reporting I)

Course Description

The study of copy editing and layout processes with emphasis on editing for accuracy, fairness, readability, and design.

Course Objectives

• Development of editing and news outlet management skills responsive to the evolving demands of evolving news media;
• Development of increased analytical skills for coaching and assisting writers, columnists, photojournalists, and other media content providers;
• Development of news judgment for selection of media content, with recognition of media messages as expressions of individual and societal values within technical, economic, historical, and social contexts;
• Understanding of the roles of news outlets in public discourse;
• Understanding media law and ethics and responsibility in news gathering and reporting;
• Development of skills in selection, editing, and placement of content in evolving news outlets;
• Mastery of Associated Press and other style guidelines.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Select, edit, and determine appropriate emphasis of publishable content for news outlets with multiple distribution platforms;
• Make considered judgments concerning the selection, placement, emphasis, and editing of news content;
• Work with writers to improve content;
• Edit for grammar, AP style, diction, syntax, taste, accuracy, and clarity;
• Coach writers with respect to content responsive to increasingly multi-cultural audiences, with respect for and understanding of the influence that news media messages have on public perceptions and actions;
• Understand ethical and legal constraints affecting newsgathering, content selection,  and publication in traditional  and evolving media outlets;
• Critically select visual information to illustrate verbal news content;
• Demonstrate heightened awareness of news values.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Coach writers on how to develop, research, and prepare media content, including investigative reports, feature obituaries, governmental stories, columns, crime and court stories, and editorials;
• Demonstrate and apply mastery of Associated Press and other media outlet style requirements;
• Coach writers on writing style, content, and organization on deadline;
• Adapt content for evolving media technology;
• Understand and  respect the value of multiculturalism and diversity in media writing;
• Supervise beat reporters, coaching them with respect to sources and content;
• Demonstrate expertise in using evolving social media as platforms for breaking news;
• Recognize legal and ethical limitations on media content, and edit stories to reflect the principles of libel, invasion of privacy, copyright, and mass communication ethics;
• Write headlines appropriate to multiple media platforms;
• Identify, evaluate, and apply visual and design elements to media content.

Required Materials

1. Computer, Internet, AP Style Guide, smart phone and AI access.

Grading/Evaluation/Assignments

1. Video Responses = 25%
   • Throughout the semester you will need to record video responses to prompts posted on Blackboard. With the rapid influx of AI and technology, you will be analyzing the effect on copy editing and journalism. Your responses should be 2-3 minutes in length.

1. Bad Stories = 25%
   • You will be tasked with writing a bad story or finding a poorly written one online and running it through AI to fix the structure, grammatical, or style errors. You will want to make sure the new story reflects AP Style and polish it as if it were ready to be published for a professional publication. Upload a copy of the bad story, revised story and then write what you did to fix it, any challenges faced while doing it, and what AI platform you used.

1. Social Media Campaign = 25%
   • You have been hired by a fictitious brand, corporation, or person to promote them via social media. You are in charge of coming up with copy and any hashtags to help create awareness. Build a presentation deck of what images, copy, hashtags and platforms in which you would promote them.

  4. Final Project = 25%

• • The final assignment will be your reflection on the future of copy editing and journalism. Think about your video responses throughout the semester, the rapid rise in AI, and the effects of it on the industry. Use a visual aid (you can share your screen using Zoom or similar platform) which illustrates your point and thoughts. (5-7 minutes)

Grading Scale

A = 100-90        B = 89–80       C = 79-70        D = 69-60        F = 59-0

Assignment Policies

1. Late Work
   1. All course assignments must be submitted on the deadlines stated in the syllabus, course calendar or by the instructor.
   2. Work submitted after the deadline (late) will not be graded and result in a zero. If you are having technical issues submitting/uploading an assignment, then you need to email me with the work attached before the due date/time to receive credit.
   3. Instructor reserves the right to offer or decline an extension at their discretion, which may be based on your participation in the course at that time for partial credit.
2. AI Policy

1. What it is: This policy embraces AI as a powerful tool for journalistic innovation. You are encouraged to experiment with and leverage AI tools in your projects, guided by the Core Student Responsibility Clause.
2. Why we use it: The future of journalism will be shaped by those who can ethically and creatively use new technologies. This policy is designed to make you a leader in that space, comfortable with and critical of emerging tools.
3. What this means for you:
4. You are encouraged to explore AI for:
5. Analyzing large datasets to find stories.
6. Generating images or graphics for a multimedia story (with clear labeling).
7. Assisting with complex video/audio edits or effects.
8. Developing new forms of interactive storytelling.
9. The Core Student Responsibility Clause is most critical here. You are the publisher, not just a user. You are fully accountable for the accuracy, ethics, and potential biases of the final product.
10. Citation and disclosure are essential: You must provide a clear and detailed "AI Use Statement" with your work, explaining what tools were used, what prompts were given, and how you directed, verified, and edited the final product.

Course Policies

1. Attendance
   1. You may be dropped after missing 2 week’s worth of classes which means you have not posted work in two consecutive weeks. Also, it may be your responsibility to drop the class or risk receiving an “F.”
2. Academic Integrity
   1. Plagiarism, cheating or any other form of academic dishonesty will result an automatic fail on the assignment and shall be reported to the Department Chair. Refer to ACC’s Academic Integrity Process.

ACC Additional Support

1. Student Accessibility Services

Students needing instructional or classroom accommodation can reach out to Student Accessibility Services for more information.

2. Social Support Resources

               Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance may contact Social Support Resources.

Schedule

Week 1: Introduction to Copy Editing and AI Integration

• Overview of copy editing principles and processes.
• Introduction to AI tools in copy editing.
• Importance of accuracy, fairness, readability, and design.
• Due Jan 24 (11:59 pm): Video Response #1

Week 2: Is Mastery in AP Style or Grammar Basics needed?

• Drastic change in copy editing.
• What needs to be learned.
• Using AI for grammar checking and style consistency.
• Due Jan 31 (11:59 pm): Bad Story #1

Week 3: Editing for Accuracy and Fairness

• Techniques for ensuring factual accuracy and fairness in editing.
• Case studies of common errors and biases.
• How AI can assist in fact-checking and identifying biases.
• Due Feb 7 (11:59 pm): Video Response #2

Week 4: Enhancing Readability and Design

• Principles of readability and design in media content.
• AI tools for readability analysis.
• Best practices for layout and design.
• Due Feb 14 (11:59 pm): Bad Story #2

Week 5: Editing News Content Across Platforms

• Adaptation of content for different media platforms (print, web, social).
• AI’s role in optimizing content for various platforms.
• Due Feb 21 (11:59 pm): Video Response #3

Week 6: Ethical and Legal Considerations

• Overview of media law and ethics.
• Editing for libel, privacy, and copyright issues.
• How AI handles legal and ethical considerations in content creation.
• Due Feb 28 (11:59 pm): Bad Story #3

Week 7: Adapting Content for Diverse Audiences

• Importance of multiculturalism and diversity in media content.
• Due March 7 (11:59 pm): Social Media Campaign

Week 8: Final Project Presentations

• Due March 14 (11:59 pm): Reflection on the course and rapid rise of AI in copy editing.