Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The unit recognises growing consciousness of the high importance of mass communication in public life. It contributes to understanding of the mass media and to professional preparation for work in the news media. The unit provides first practice in broadcasting, as part of the Journalism strand from Newswriting through to the next in the series, Radio and Television Journalism 2.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide the means to learn about broadcast media from a production-based perspective, and to begin advanced, practical preparation for working professionally in news media. It equips you with concepts and skills necessary to plan reports, conduct interviews and carry out other gathering functions, write news stories, present, and edit material for broadcast on radio and television. Theory covered in lectures is applied through preparation of bulletins on radio and television.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Display an informed appreciation of media issues such as changing publics, quality debates, impacts of new technology, economic globalisation and corporate change.
2. Understand the socio-economic environments of broadcast journalism and the principles underlying the practical work in broadcasting.
3. Use broadcast software and equipment for journalism.
4. Practice radio and television journalism (sometimes with assistance and supervision from qualified practitioners) including team working.
Provide evidence of your development through practice as a journalist.

Content

This unit addresses content such as:
Media issues including values engaged in broadcast journalism (editorial values, production values, technical factors); skills engaged in broadcast reporting, production and presentation.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

After introductory workshops and guidance in lectures, most teaching in this subject is done on the basis of learning principles though practice. You will attend a program of rostered workshops on topics including radio writing, techniques and equipment; television writing, techniques and equipment. Radio and television production shifts, within 08:00 and 14:00 for radio and 08:00 and 18:00 for TV spread on rostered days; four days consecutive in radio and five consecutive days in television.

Assessment

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access complete Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Description: You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester, and in particular during practical work, in radio and television production. Weight 0%

Assessment name: News Bulletin Analysis
Description: (Formative and Summative) A fairly straightforward exercise to engage students and encourage them to listen to and/or watch news bulletins on radio and/or TV and describe the differences with a brief explanation as to why the differences may have arisen.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid semester

Assessment name: Radio Praxis
Description: (Formative and Summative) You will be required to undertake rostered radio news production shifts (between the hours of 08.00 and 14.00 each designated day) contributing to QUT News on Radio 4EB. Four roster days.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid to end semester

Assessment name: TV Praxis
Description: (Formative and Summative) Your participation and the quality of your reporting/production/presenting work will be evaluated.
Criteria will be outlined under headings similar to those provided for radio.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid to end semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Required Text:

Boyd, A., Stewart, P. and Alexander, R. (2008) Broadcast Journalism: Techniques of Radio and Television News, Focal Press, Oxford.

QUT Journalism Style Guide, BlackBoard for this subject, and Journalism site.

Recommended texts:

Grundy, B. (2007) So you want to be a Journalist? Cambridge University Press

Agnew, M. (2008) Here is the [Australian] News, Wenga Books.

Cunningham, S. and Turner, G. (Eds.) (2002) The Media and Communications in Australia, Allen and Unwin, Sydney.

Masterton, M. and Patching, R. (1997) Now the News in Detail : A Guide to Broadcast Journalism in Australia, DUP, Geelong.

Materials and essential messages are provided through the BlackBoard site for this unit.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 25-Mar-2013