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Theories of Journalism

Unit code: KJP400
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs

This unit includes the following: a summary of the body of literature pertaining to the theories of journalism; identification of individual research interests; attention to the empirical traditions; summary of issues at an advanced level from journalists' perspectives through close reading of core texts.

Availability
Semester Available
2013 Semester 1 Yes

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

Postgraduate practitioners of journalism and related fields are expected to engage with academic analyses and professional debates about journalism so that they can contribute meaningfully to such discussions. Both journalism practitioners and critics need to understand the broader media and social contexts in which journalism operates.

Aims

This unit aims to:

  • Foster critical analysis and inquiry, and intellectual debate about the practice of journalism;

  • Facilitate the early development of your research interests in journalism;

  • Provide the opportunity for you to familiarise yourself with the body of literature in this area;

  • Develop competence and confidence in presenting your own critical analyses, readings and research ideas and findings through participation in seminar discussions, oral presentations and written work.

    • Objectives

    On completion of this unit you should be able to:
    1. Identify and explain major theories about journalism and how they can be applied.
    2. Justify and/or critique the theories and perspectives that you, your classmates, journalists and academics put forward about the practices, products, uses and operating/social contexts of journalism.
    3. Apply theoretical or critical analysis to formulate hypotheses or conclusions about issues relating to journalism.
    4. Formulate questions about theories and issues relating to journalism, and design and conduct research aimed at answering those questions.
    5. Communicate your ideas and analysis effectively through written, oral and visual forms.

    Content

    This unit addresses content such as key issues in journalism, the role(s) of journalists, non-Western perspectives on journalism and journalism futures, objectivity, truth-telling, professionalism, democracy, gate-keeping, public interest, editorial independence, the watchdog role, sensationalism, and ethics.

    Approaches to Teaching and Learning

    This unit is seminar based and focused on the close reading of texts. Each seminar will revolve around a particular reading or readings. Participants are required to contribute to each seminar. In some instances, seminar time will be given over to student presentations of work in progress on research involving use of readings. All seminars will be built on close reading in a range of designated texts.

    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
    You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester. Weight: 0%

    * There is an option for assessments 1 and 2 (a or b) to be integrated; i.e., that the topic of your presentation and paper may be the same.

    Assessment name: Presentation
    Description: Formative and Summative) Oral Presentation. You will be required to research a topic and present your findings in an in - class presentation, and to respond to questions and observations.
    Relates to objectives: 1-5
    Weight: 50%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Throughout Semester

    Assessment name: Research or Review Paper
    Description: Summative)
    For students in Honours and Master of Arts (Research) students ONLY).
    Research Paper 2A. You will be required to submit an academic essay, properly referenced, based on a piece of original research. It is recommended that this be related to your thesis topic.
    For coursework Master's students ONLY
    Review Paper 2B. You will be required to submit an academic essay, properly referenced, reviewing a topic related to the unit content; for example, a current issue in journalism. Length: 3,500 words.
    Relates to objectives: 1-5
    Weight: 50%
    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

    (Copies will be made available in class and through the Course Materials Database on the Blackbord
    Website)

    Selected weekly readings will be made available during the course of the semester.

    Recommended References

    A number of texts are recommended as supplementary reading. A list will be posted on the Blackboard site for this unit.

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    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: 04-Oct-2012