Professor
James Newton
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - Professor Newton's class was exceptional! This course examines issues in journalistic ethics and their impact on society at large. He covers a number of topics in journalism from using anonymous sources, defamation, conflicts of interest, and the business of journalism. This is a low stakes course, meaning there is minimal reading and the lecture material is pretty straight forward. This course was a balance during the fall quarter when I took four classes. If you're taking four classes or a south campus student who needs an elective, and that needs to balance out your schedule, take this class! However don't pass if off to not show up to class or to disregard the readings. Professor Newton is an exceptional professor and he will probably be one of those professors you will remember well after you leave UCLA. Your grade is made of two exams: midterm and final, both worth 45%. The exams consist of short essay answers about topics covered in lecture or the readings. The other 10% of your grade is attributed to participation. And the participation was not like other classes where you're regurgitate what the instructor says. The class engaged into some really deep discussions about a variety of issues that we deal with in society, politics, and ethics. For me, the discussions gave the course substance and brought back an element we are missing during the absents of in-class meetings during Covid-19. Rather you are seeking a future in journalism or not, this class will help you to develop a critical lens in how to interpret ethical journalism in todays news.
Fall 2020 - Professor Newton's class was exceptional! This course examines issues in journalistic ethics and their impact on society at large. He covers a number of topics in journalism from using anonymous sources, defamation, conflicts of interest, and the business of journalism. This is a low stakes course, meaning there is minimal reading and the lecture material is pretty straight forward. This course was a balance during the fall quarter when I took four classes. If you're taking four classes or a south campus student who needs an elective, and that needs to balance out your schedule, take this class! However don't pass if off to not show up to class or to disregard the readings. Professor Newton is an exceptional professor and he will probably be one of those professors you will remember well after you leave UCLA. Your grade is made of two exams: midterm and final, both worth 45%. The exams consist of short essay answers about topics covered in lecture or the readings. The other 10% of your grade is attributed to participation. And the participation was not like other classes where you're regurgitate what the instructor says. The class engaged into some really deep discussions about a variety of issues that we deal with in society, politics, and ethics. For me, the discussions gave the course substance and brought back an element we are missing during the absents of in-class meetings during Covid-19. Rather you are seeking a future in journalism or not, this class will help you to develop a critical lens in how to interpret ethical journalism in todays news.
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2021 - Professor Newton is my absolute favorite professor. He wants you you to improve your writing and allows you to rewrite your pieces as many times as you want until you get a 10/10. The prompts are fun and you take on different journalism techniques. His feedback is so genuine and helpful, I felt so confident in my writing throughout the quarter. I loved this class and would take it again if I could!
Spring 2021 - Professor Newton is my absolute favorite professor. He wants you you to improve your writing and allows you to rewrite your pieces as many times as you want until you get a 10/10. The prompts are fun and you take on different journalism techniques. His feedback is so genuine and helpful, I felt so confident in my writing throughout the quarter. I loved this class and would take it again if I could!
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2021 - I really did not like this class because the topics were very confined and I found it really hard to write about something I did not care about at all. He claims it's not expected but for some of the topics you definitely had to spend decent time researching before you could start writing. I did not receive a horrible grade because he rewards effort, even if you don't get perfect scores on your pieces. But overall I wouldn't say it's a fun class
Spring 2021 - I really did not like this class because the topics were very confined and I found it really hard to write about something I did not care about at all. He claims it's not expected but for some of the topics you definitely had to spend decent time researching before you could start writing. I did not receive a horrible grade because he rewards effort, even if you don't get perfect scores on your pieces. But overall I wouldn't say it's a fun class
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