Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

NB: Information in this Unit Outline is subject to change prior to commencement of semester
Journalists must be able to critically analyse and report, to deadline, matters of public interest, for publication in a range of media outlets. Such attributes are developed to an advanced level through this reporting and writing unit, that couches discussion and analysis of this process in the context of understandings of journalism's role in society and the nature of their contribution to public debate.

Aims

This unit aims to:
- help journalists more fully understand the place of the professional journalist in society.
- expose students to, and educate them in, the forms of analysis and techniques of coverage that provide for a sophisticated coverage of current events and issues.
- instruct students in the sorts of writing practices that allow for the presentation of a sophisticated perspective on important discussions in the public domain.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Apply a wide knowledge of current issues with a bearing on the news.
2. Discuss the roles and options of journalists and other media practitioners in contemporary society.
3. Argue a persuasive case in current debates on media and society.
4. Produce and present advanced feature material for publication on current issues, displaying a strong informational base, research skills, intellectual discernment and power of expression.

Content

The unit is taught in accelerated seminar-style over weeks 1 to 9 of the second semester in order to meet the demands of other journalism practice units and/or internships, and to allow you to prepare for early entry to the profession. The unit will encompass topics such as:
- Review of researching and writing news features;
- Reporting politics;
- Reporting 'the other';
- International news for local audiences.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Face-to-face teaching and learning takes place during the three hours of class time for each of the nine weeks. The three-hour period is spent in a MELT lecture theatre and is a combination of lecture, seminar, workshop, role-play forum and tutorial. On four occasions there will be two-hour role-play forums on issues of significant, current public interest. In addition tutors will have designated two-hour story consultation times during which you are coached in news feature writing. You will book these by email. You are expected to use a wide variety of sources, both printed and online, to research your stories, assignments and forum role plays. Accuracy, objectivity, fairness and balance are stressed. The topics for the forums will be conveyed to you at the first lecture. You will be required to become familiar with issues involved in the forum topics prior to the forum presentations. On one of the three occasions, you will need to research the perspective of one of the 'stakeholders' or 'players' in that news event and represent that person/group and their perspective in a role-play forum. You may find you prefer to 'dress the part' of your character on the day, and/or use appropriate props. You will be required to submit to the lecturer a 500-word position paper (for your character) on the day you present. You are required to write two news feature articles suitable for publication. These features should deal with strong news issues and should reveal substantial depth and quality.

Assessment

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
Late assignments will not be marked.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access complete Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester.

Assessment name: Essay
Description: News feature article 1 - 800 words.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Early Semester

Assessment name: Essay
Description: News feature article 2 - 1200 words.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Presentation
Description: Please check Blackboard for further details.
Relates to objectives: 2 & 3
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Continuous

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
There is no set text for this unit and students will be advised of required readings through the normal course of weekly correspondence on the Blackboard site.

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