Required for All Journalism Majors and Open to All

COM* 223: Feature and Magazine Writing
Instructor: Cynthia F. Wolfe-Boynton
T/TH 5:00-6:20 p.m.
Prerequisite: COM*222 or permission of the instructor or program advisor

This course will not be offered again until Fall 2010.

COM*223 begins with a quick review of concepts learned in COM*222, Basic Newswriting. From there, you'll move into exploring new options for journalistic writers, beyond the basic forms you've already learned. You'll learn how public relations works and how to write an in-depth feature, and about writing creative non-fiction (including "literary" and "gonzo" journalism) and for magazines. You'll learn how to find freelance markets for your work and pitch your stories to an editor. Finally, you'll more about on-line media. COM* 222, Beginning Newswriting, will be offered again in Spring 2010.

Former editor and publishing director of Better Health magazine, Ms. Wolfe Boynton has also been a regular correspondent for The New York Times and Boston Globe, among other publications, and co-authored a book on juvenile rheumatoid arthrititis.  She has taught at Southern Connecticut State University and the Yale School of Medicine.   An SCSU graduate, she is also a former HCC student.

COM* 116: Publications Workshop I

M/W 2:00-3:20 OR 6:30-7:50 p.m.

Prerequisite or Parallel:  ENG*101

Get published, obtain valuable experience, build your resume or transfer application, and earn college credit, all at the same time!

In this hands-on course, students join the staff of Horizons, our student-run campus newspaper, contributing writing, photography, editing, and design skills to the publication. You will learn how a newspaper operates, how to generate, refine, and propose strong story ideas for a student newspaper, how to write different types of stories, some simple interview and research strategies, and how to write strong stories integrating outside sources.  We'll also explore newspaper layout and the effective use and placement of photographs and graphics. 

Receiving and giving constructive criticism and critiquing the final published issues of Horizons, you'll develop a clearer sense of how newspapers arrive at a final product and how you can continue to improve.  You'll also receive individual attention and coaching from both the editors and me.  This course is also recommended for students who wish to continue developing their writing beyond the composition courses offered here or who want to learn more about writing for the media.   Learn more about this class by clicking here to see the public course site.

COM *216: Publications Workshop II

M/W 2:00-3:20 or 6:30-7:50 p.m.

Prerequisite: COM*116

A continuation of Publications I, this course offers students further experience and instruction in writing and editing for Horizons, and the chance to develop more in-depth stories and further develop reporting, writing, and editing skills. You'll also have a chance to learn about and develop online stories for our online magazine, Perspective

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Not Required

Advanced Publications

(Meets with Publications 1 and 2)

Work as an editor or senior staff writer for Horizons, focusing on more in-depth stories and contributing your experience and expertise to helping newer staff members. In order to do so, we'll need to draft a proposal for HUM* 299, Independent Study in Humanities, laying out your goals and responsibilities for the semester.

All sections of Publications are taught by Professor Steve Mark, the program advisor.