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

Journalists who work as subeditors for print, online and new media need to have a knowledge of copy-editing and writing supplementary devices such as headlines and captions for photographs. Indeed, all reporters require a basic understanding of subediting practices. KJB304 Subediting builds on skills developed in journalism foundation units by teaching how to handle text once it has been submitted for publication.

Aims

This unit aims to give an overview and introduction to all the key functions of subeditors in the print media. Accordingly, you will be introduced to subediting with an examination of all of its basic job description, skills and roles in the newsroom. You will learn to develop the material to the final publication-ready stage, to apply theoretical concepts in practical contexts.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Explain the subeditor's role in solving problems and presenting material with a high degree of news value, accurate, free of errors and/or possible litigation.
2. Assign a news priority to competing stories and features.
3. Describe the role of subeditors within a news organisation.

Content

This unit addresses content such as:
- the role and position of subeditors in modern newsrooms
- subediting text for tabloids, broadsheets and magazines, online portals and other new media
- writing headlines, captions and other enhancing devices used in print and online publications
- subediting for legal and ethical consistency
- the final checking process and application
- career opportunities for subeditors, proofreaders and copyeditors.

The above will be covered in lectures and practiced and assessed in a series of real-world applications from current print and online news rooms.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit will involve lectures, class tutorials and take-home learning activities in designated weeks. The lecture program will give you the theoretical basis from which you can conduct practical exercises in the tutorials. The tutorials will be work-shopped using a series of news, feature and other common print items from raw text to multiple texts where you will be required to examine and rework them to the editorial standards of a modern Australian daily newspaper. This will include an examination of supplement devices used in publication particularly the use of headlines, photographs, charts, break-outs, specialty pages, links and boxed items.

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. Weight 0%

Assessment name: Exercises
Description: Take-home or tutorial-based exercises. These activities will reflect the need for subeditors to be aware of breaking news and current affairs, and will develop your ability to apply principles discussed in tutorials and lectures. Further information provided on Blackboard.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout semester

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: (Formative and summative) Tutorial exercises will be completed in class. Text and photographic material will be provided for you to subedit within industrial time contraints.
Scenario based tasks will be completed over several weeks. Further information will be available on Blackboard.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: As scheduled

Assessment name: Examination
Description: (Formative and summative) A two-hour exam based on material taught in lectures and tutorials.. The exam will be both theoretical and practical based and will demonstrate both the students' ability to analyse why some subediting practices are essential and how they are applied on some sample texts.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 3
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: 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

Required readings will be uploaded onto the KJB304 Blackboard site on a week-by-week basis

Recommended References

Lee, A & Treadwell, G (2009) Newspaper editing and design: A guide to production journalism. Pearson Prentice Hall. Auckland.

Brooks, BS, Pinson, JL & Sissors, JZ (2004) The art of editing, 8th edn, Allyn & Bacon, Boston.

Hicks, W & Holmes, T. (2002) Subediting for journalists. Routledge. London and New York.

News Limited (2003) Style: A guide for journalists. News Limited, Sydney.

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: 14-Jan-2013