Blog 24: Independent Component 2

My Independent 2 has been a continuation of my first Independent Component: Yearbook.

Literal

(a) “I, Jocabehd Lobos, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.” 

(b) For my Independent Component 2, I have been in iPoly's yearbook elective working as an Assistant Photo Editor taking photos and writing copy for spreads.

Interpretive

My Independent Component demonstrates 30+ hours of work because being in elective class twice a week for 1.5 hours plus weekly editor meetings add up to that. On top of that, going to events like Pep Rallies to take photographs adds to that time so I can take photos. The significant parts of my component have definitely been taking photographs for the yearbook that will then be published in the yearbook come May.

Applied
My Independent Component 2 has helped me answer my EQ because it has given me a feel for what it is like for a journalist; working through deadlines and working with a large staff. It has also helped me answer EQ because I have improved my interviewing skills, which are pivotal to being a successful journalist.

Link to my Log: Independent Component #2 Log

Blog 23: Helping 2013

Who did you interview: Leslie Lopez

What day and time: Friday, April 20 at 11:30AM

1. What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

• Something related to Horror Films.
• My feedback included saying that when choosing a senior project, you really should think about the whole picture and making sure the topic would work with all of the components that are included such as Service Learning.

2. What do you plan to do to complete the 10 hours of service learning (working with an expert) which is due prior to senior year starting?  Note: They also have to complete the 50 hours during the school year.

• She plans on finding an internship at a place such as Universal Studios.
• My feedback was that she should think of a couple other places as back-ups just in case her first plan didn't work out. I also advised her to start contacting a wide range of places as soon as possible since she hasn't done so as of yet.

3. What do you hope to see or expect to see when watching the class of 2012 present their two hour presentations?

• She stated that she wanted to "actually learn something" about each topic and each project.
• I told her to be patient with all of the presentations as it can be exhausting to go through two straight weeks of presentations as a viewer. I told her of my experience as a junior last year and how I observed how by the second week, many of my classmates grew tired of presentations. However, I told her how now, as a senior, I have grown to appreciate the senior project presentations as I now know the pressure and hard work that goes into it. 

4. What questions do they have about senior project?  What additional recommendations would you give the 2013 student about senior project?  Be specific and note what you told them.

• She asked many questions including: 
• How will I be prepared for presenting my 2-Hour?
• My answer: There are several presentations beforehand throughout the year such as the 5 and 20 minute to help with stage nerves and preparation.
• What has been the most difficult?
• My response: Finding service learning, since many places can't or are not willing to allow a minor in their business/company. 
• What additional recommendations did you give them?
• My recommendations were to get started on her service learning ASAP and rake up as many hours as possible! I told her of my experience of having trouble finding a place that was willing and the difficulty of finding time in my schedule to complete my service learning. 

Who did you interview: Jared Gonzales

What day and time: Thursday, April 26 at 11:00AM

1. What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

• He said he was interested in making his topic based on policing or army related things. He's always been interested in those topics and wants to pursue a career in either the field of policing or military. 
• My feedback was that something of that nature would be good when coming up with activities for presentations. 

2. What do you plan to do to complete the 10 hours of service learning (working with an expert) which is due prior to senior year starting?  Note: They also have to complete the 50 hours during the school year.

• He is looking forward to working as an intern at a police station.
• My feedback was to start asking places as soon as possible, since many places have a set number of required hours. 

3. What do you hope to see or expect to see when watching the class of 2012 present their two hour presentations?

• He said that he thought the class of 2012 would produce good presentations.
• My feedback was to be patient with the class of 2012 and to be prepared for the repetitive nature of the 2-hour presentations, particularly during the second week. 

(4) What questions do they have about senior project?  What additional recommendations would you give the 2013 student about senior project?  Be specific and note what you told them.

• He only had one question and it was "Is it worth it to stay at i-Poly for senior year?"
• I responded by saying that it was definitely worth it because although it is a tremendous amount of work, it is definitely possible to overcome. Also, I told him of my service learning experience as an intern at a newspaper and the countless other things I've learned thanks to my senior project that I wouldn't have learned had I gone somewhere else for my senior year. 

Blog: Answers

The following are my current answers for my essential question as of: April 13,2012.

1) Strive for Accuracy and Fairness
    A journalist shall provide information that is verifiable and that is free of fabrication. A journalist shall neither add nor omit material which would distort or change the meaning of a story or photograph.
2) Be Accountable
    A journalist should remain accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers, and each other. They must admit their mistakes and correct them promptly. At the same time, they shall abide by the same high standard to which they hold each other.
3) Be Independent and Transparent
     Journalistic independence can be damaged by accepting free gifts of any kinds. A journalist shall avoid conflicts of interest and should always identify themselves as a journalist when on any assignment.
4) Respect Diversity
    A journalist should always strive for fairness and balance when on the job by looking into all sides of every issue and presenting all relevant viewpoints. A journalist must treat all sources in professional and respectful manner, not overlooking the weak in favor of the rich and powerful.

Blog 22: Answer #3

• Essential Question: What is most important to success in journalism?
• Answer 3: One of the most important factors to success in journalism is the ability to be independent and transparent. 
• Some components of my answer include: 
• Journalistic independence can be damaged by accepting free gifts of any kinds.
• Avoid conflicts of interest.
• Always identify yourself as a journalist when on assignment.
• Any scene dramatized should be clearly stated. 
• Evidence:
• Example 1: While reading The Elements of Journalism by Bill Kovach & Rob Rosensteil, I came across a section that discussed the purpose of journalism, to provide information for the public, so they can make decisions and self-govern. In order to fulfill this and thus, be successful in journalism, remaining independent and neutral.
• Example 2: According to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, one of the cornerstones is to Be Accountable, which is broken down into avoiding any contact/ties with outside sources or publications. An example of this would be to be receiving outside gifts or compensation from a company or publication to publish/report a story that will be waived in said company/publications favor for whatever reason. This, as explained in the Code of Ethics, leads to lack of accountability to the bribed journalist.
• Example 3: While speaking with my service learning mentor, she spoke to me about what journalists' job is. She said journalists are responsible for "being the voice to the voiceless". In order to do that, she said, they must do they toughest thing, be neutral. She gave me an ethical case study known as the picture with the vulture in Africa. The photojournalist there was covering a story there and took a photo of a malnourished African toddler who had collapsed while a vulture looked on and was about to hunt. The photo was legendary and sparked huge controversy in the journalism world. Although being neutral is ethical, many discuss the extent of it. 
• Source:
• The Elements of Journalism by Bob Kovach & Rob Rosensteil
• Personal Interview with Cecily Arambula, EIC of Poly Post
• Concordia University Code of Ethics

Blog 21: 3-Column Chart

My 3-Column Chart is listed on the right hand side w/ its own tab. There is also a link for it here:

Jocabehd's 3-Column Chart