jrn5jwt the working journalist
THE WORKING JOURNALIST
JRN5JWT
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject we will provide a critical examination of the working life of journalists, with particular reference to the way that journalism as a profession is evolving. Lectures from some of Australian's best known journalists and foreign correspondents working here discussing their careers and their views on the media, both local and global are featured. Themes to be explored will include: what attracts people to journalism as a profession? What qualities make for a successful journalist? What qualifications or experiences are really crucial for making the grade? How do journalists see their own role as agents of change, or of fulfilling traditional values of the 'Fourth Estate' such as the public's right to know?. How does journalism practice vary in different parts of the world? And how significant are the apparent diversities developing in the media when it comes to being able to provide a broad range of viewpoints to audiences?
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorAndrea Carson
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must be enrolled in Master of Strategic Communication, Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication or Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication or Master of Communication (Public Relations) or Graduate Diploma in Communication (Public Relations) or Master of Journalism Innovation, Graduate Diploma of Journalism Innovation, Master of Communication (Journalism Innovation), Graduate Diploma in Communication (Journalism Innovation). . Requires co-ordinator's approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects JRN5TWJ
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Plan, organise, conduct and write up journalistic interviews in the process of news story creation
- Activities:
- The second half of the subject is focused on development of profile interviews in text and/or audiovisual format for the Working Journalist project which is based on the upstart site at http://www.upstart.net.au/about/the-working-journalist/
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
02. Write short-form pieces designed for online publication based on comprehension of news values and conventions of the hard news genre
- Activities:
- The introductory assignment will engage students in developing a self-directed exploration of academic and general literature/audiovisual content about journalism practice. In 2010 and 2011 material from this assignment has been published on upstart as part of the highly successful 100 articles project (http://www.upstart.net.au/2010/04/28/100-articles/) - this exercise is designed to be the formative assessment for this subject.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
03. Create news content that demonstrates knowledge of online publication audiences
- Activities:
- With two of the three assignments specifically designed for upstart (www.upstart.net.au) , students must develop an awareness of its intended and actual audience, and design assessable work accordingly. Students will be shown the "back end" of the upstart site that will demonstrate user statistics, and will watch the impact of the promotion of their material via social media when posted on the site
04. Discussion of issues of journalism practice, based on comprehension of texts (including readings, videos and podcasts) focused on the Australian and global media industry
- Activities:
- Presentation of class paper on an aspect of journalism practice (assignment 2). All students are encouraged to draw on niche or specialist areas of journalism. Level 9 students are expected to publish a version of this paper on upstart (www.upstart.net.au)
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
05. Demonstrate and use legal and ethical best practice in publishing multi-platform content including copyright and defamation laws
- Activities:
- This is the core mission of the subject. All classes and assessment tasks are designed to facilitate this. See details of assessment. Guest "lecturers" in the form of journalists discussing their work will form a vital component of the seminars.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorAndrea Carson
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| A portfolio of pieces about journalism (equivalent to 2,000 words) | This is the formative assessment for this subject | 30 | 01, 02, 05 |
| Class paper on journalism practice and online feature (1,000 word equivalent ) | The written-up version of this paper must be designed for pulication on www.upstart.net.au | 20 | 01, 03, 04, 05 |
| Three profile interview with working journalists in text and/or a/v format (2,000 words equivalent) | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 |