Spring 2016

class news

MCOM 341 students: Syllabus is online here. Follow me on Twitter for links to good readings, or search Twitter for the hashtag #mcom341.

MCOM358 students: Syllabus is here. Exercises are online here. Gradebook for use with Newsroom 101 is here. Follow me on Twitter for links to class-related readings, or search Twitter for the hashtag #mcom358.

MCOM359 students: Syllabus is here. Follow me on Twitter for links to class-related readings, or search Twitter for the hashtag #mcom359.

contact, internships, independent studies

Need to get in touch with me? E-mail me

Interested in an internship? Start here. Then download my instructions for what you need to turn in to me at the end of the semester. You can find required evaluation forms and other materials at the Career Center website.

Need a letter of recommendation? Except in extenuating circumstances, it is my policy to provide recommendations for jobs on LinkedIn rather than to write individual letters. That way, you will be able to use my recommendation for multiple employers over a longer time period. Generally speaking, I will write a recommendation only after a student has completed at least one course with me with a grade of at least a B. If you meet that condition and you are required to get a letter for a job, internship or scholarship, please make sure that your request includes the following:

  • a list of the courses you took with me, what dates you took them, and what grades you received;
  • a description of the internship, scholarship or job; the date the position begins;
  • a current copy of your resume;
  • your current GPA; and
  • the deadline for the letter.

Email your request to me with the subject line "Request for letter of recommendation." Please note that I need at least two weeks to guarantee I will be able to deliver a letter.

Interested in an independent study? Most independent studies result in an original research report of 25 to 30 pages. Here's an example. You'll need to start with the form found on this page. Your proposal must be approved by me and the department chair before you can register and begin work.

Getting ready to look for a job? Spend some time thinking about this list of 50 common interview questions, and you'll increase your odds of landing the job.

recommended reading
Nieman Lab 's fascinating breakdown of major points from leaked New York Times innovation report is vital for any journalist to read.

on my playlist
It's jazz, and it's several hours long. But Kamasi Washington's "The Epic" is the album that has proven most impressive to me in the last year.

all contents copyright thom lieb 2016

Links

my courses

Editing for the Digital Age

Encyclopedia of Journalism

Online News Association

my JEP columns

editing for the web

all the news

resume (PDF file)