This is a re-recording of a podcast that was first released in 2008. This was rerecorded in 2010 because J101 now has a new name and a new minimum passing grade.
Hello and welcome to “Quick Question,” the jcomm advising podcast. Today’s quick question is about J101 Grammar for Communicators. I need help in this class! How do I get it?
J101 Grammar for Communicators is a premajor course required of all journalism majors. As this is often our students’ first intensive grammar course, most find the course extremely challenging.
The material itself is quite technical and very cut and dried. You either understand or you don’t. The secret to the course is to find different ways of learning the same material. Eventually, one of the ways will resonate with you and the lightbulb of understanding will go off. Here are four ways of getting the material from different sources.
First, don’t be intimidated about visiting your professor during office hours. Ask questions about sections of the lecture or homework assignment that you didn’t understand. Ten or 20 minutes of one-on-one time with your professor can often do more than a 50-minute lecture.
Second, create a study group with three or four other students in the class and meet regularly. Having to explain a concept you understand to another person will help you understand it better. Having your friend explain another concept back to you might help you see it in a different light.
Third, go online. There are web-based resources that you can access for free. Your professor often provides links to this on the class Blackboard site. For years, J101 students have used The Tongue Untied website at www.grammaruntied as a resource. You may also look into Grammar Bytes at www.chompchomp.com
Fourth, check out the Teaching and Learning Center in PLC. They have tutoring services, a weekly drop-in support session and even a short course on grammar. This office has helped thousands of students survive grammar. They may have a few tricks up their sleeves to share with you.
We hope this helps you create some coping strategies for grammar. We’ll end this podcast with a common question asked by students, “May I please take grammar pass/no pass?” Unfortunately, no. J101 has to be taken graded. The minimum passing grade is a C.
“Quick question” is an advising podcast provided by the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon. Visit the J-school Student Services office in 101 Allen Hall, on the web at jcomm.uoregon.edu or on twitter at SOJC Advising.
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