20801269On-Air Performance
Course Information
Description
This course is an introduction to the skills and theory of on-air radio/audio and television/video announcing. Students will learn the on-air broadcast skills of presenting news information and opinions to mass audiences in radio/audio and television/video formats. Students will examine journalism theory that pertains to newscasts and explore the history and evolution of radio/audio and television/video news. In addition, students will learn media law that applies to on-air news announcing.  On-Air Performance will prepare students for internships and careers in broadcast journalism. The course will also count as the speech requirement for the college’s Associate’s of Arts or Associate’s of Science degrees.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Write a variety of news scripts for radio/audio and television/video “on-air” presentations.
    Assessment Strategies
    Exam, Written product, Radio/audio podcast, Television/video broadcast
    Criteria
    Determine the process of writing news scripts for radio/audio podcast and television /video on-air presentations.
    Identify different methods of news writing for radio/audio podcasts and television/video on-air presentations.
    Evaluate news writing styles used for radio/audio and television/video news scripts.
    Write a variety of scripts for news broadcasts delivered via radio/audio podcasts and television/video presentations.

  2. Present objective and factual on-air news content for radio/audio and television/video audiences.
    Assessment Strategies
    Radio/audio podcast, Television/video broadcast.
    Criteria
    Apply news research and fact-checking techniques to information acquired through primary and secondary sources.
    Distinguish between reliable and unreliable news sources.
    Evaluate on-air newscasts given by a variety of radio/audio and television/video journalists.
    Develop a natural on-air voice for the presentation of factual and objective on-air news content for broadcast audiences.
    Write for radio/audio and television/video broadcasts of news events.

  3. Present evidence-supported on-air commentaries and opinions for radio/audio and television/video audiences.
    Assessment Strategies
    Radio/audio podcast, Television/video broadcast.
    Criteria
    Identify quality primary and secondary sources for the purpose of researching societal issues.
    Research societal issues using a variety of informational-gathering techniques.
    Apply basic concepts of argumentation and debate.
    Evaluate op-ed presentations given by a variety of radio/audio and television/video journalists.
    Write “op-ed” scripts for radio and television presentations.
    Develop a natural on-air voice for on-air commentaries presented for radio/audio audiences.

  4. Host compelling on-air interviews with selected guests for radio/audio and television/video audiences.
    Assessment Strategies
    Radio/audio podcast, Television/video broadcast.
    Criteria
    Identify possible guests for a variety of interview-based radio/audio and television/video news programs.
    Research background to interview programs using a variety of informational-gathering techniques.
    Implement interviewing strategies used for interview-based radio/audio and television/video programs.
    Develop a natural on-air style as a broadcast interviewer.
    Interview on-air guests for radio/audio and television/video news programs.

  5. Articulate media law as it applies to broadcast news and commentary.
    Assessment Strategies
    Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Radio/audio podcast, Television/video broadcast.
    Criteria
    Identify the origins of the United States’ First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
    Examine how and why media law evolved throughout U.S. history.
    Articulate key media laws, such as libel, shield laws, and copyright laws.
    Explain the function and powers of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
    Apply media law to radio/audio podcasts and television/video broadcasts delivered either as news presentations or commentaries.

  6. Operate the basic functions of audio, video and lighting equipment required for web-based broadcast journalism.
    Assessment Strategies
    Radio/audio podcast, Television/video broadcast.
    Criteria
    Record on-air radio/audio podcasts using sound recording equipment.
    Edit audio files with basic audio editing software.
    Apply basic lighting theory, such as 3-point lighting, used in television/video recording studios.
    Operate video recording equipment used for television/video presentations.
    Edit video files with basic video editing software.

  7. Explain how the evolution of radio news, audio podcasts, television news, and video news broadcast audiences throughout U.S. history.
    Assessment Strategies
    Group presentation, Exam, Written product.
    Criteria
    Identify the origins of the traditional radio (terrestrial) and television (analog) news.
    Examine the impact traditional radio and television news had on U.S society.
    Articulate the forces behind the digital revolution and how it gave birth to audio podcasts and video news.
    Articulate the current state of news broadcasting and “narrowcasting” in U.S. society today.