JRN 1000 Introduction to Journalism

SubjectCat-NbrClassTermModeDescriptionUnitsCampus
JRN1000109771, 2002EXTIntroduction to Journalism1.00TWMBA
Academic Group:FOART
Academic Org:FOA004
HECS Band:1
ASCED Code:100703

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: Craig Burgess
Moderator: Neil Lomas



SYNOPSIS:

This course is designed to introduce students to the Australian news media and their practices. Emphasis will be placed on the need for students to think objectively about the main news events of the day, and the ways the print media have reported them. Students will be encouraged to achieve accuracy and objectivity within the constraints regularly imposed on print practitioners. Students will be introduced to news values, journalism research, interview skills and the elements that make up news stories. They will be given considerable practice in writing introductory paragraphs and handling direct and indirect quotations. To pass this course students must complete and hand in all items of assessment. The final grade will be calculated on the total mark only. Grades will be awarded at the percentiles of HD = 90 or more; A = 80-89; B = 65-79; C = 50-64; F = Less than 50.


OBJECTIVES:


On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

  • demonstrate a broad knowledge of the principles on which information is judged as news;

  • identify the fundamental constituents of the Australian news media;

  • write an introductory paragraph to a news story;

  • write a news story.



    • TOPICS:


    DescriptionWeighting (%)
    1. 1st News Writing Test
    		 10.00
    2. 2nd News Writing Test
    		 20.00
    3. 3rd News Writing Test
    		 30.00
    4. 4th News Writing Test
    		 40.00

    TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

    Books can be ordered by fax or telephone. For costs and further details use the 'Book Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au by entering the author or title of the text.

    Conley, D. 2002 The Daily Miracle: An Introduction to Journalism, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

    White, S. 1996 Reporting in Australia, 2nd edn, Macmillan, South Melbourne.




    REFERENCE MATERIALS:

    Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

    A Thesaurus

    Any edition of The Macquarie Dictionary,




    STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

    ACTIVITYHOURS
    Assessment30
    Directed Study60
    Private Study75


    ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

    DescriptionMarks Out ofWtg(%)RequiredDue Date
    1ST NEWS WRITING TEST999.0010.00Y04 Mar 2002 (see note 1)
    2ND NEWS WRITING TEST999.0020.00Y04 Mar 2002 (see note 2)
    3RD NEWS WRITING TEST999.0030.00Y04 Mar 2002 (see note 3)
    4TH NEWS WRITING TEST999.0040.00Y04 Mar 2002 (see note 4)
    NOTES:
    1.
    Further details about the due dates are detailed in the assessment section of the Course Specifications.
    2.
    Further details about the due dates are detailed in the assessment section of the Course Specifications.
    3.
    Further details about the due dates are detailed in the assessment section of the Course Specifications.
    4.
    Further details about the due dates are detailed in the assessment section of the Course Specifications.

    OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

    1. All assessable items must be submitted.
    2. All items of assessment must be handed in by the due date. Late submissions will not be accepted unless accompanied by a valid medical certificate.
    3. Correct English is essential to Journalism. Errors of spelling, grammar and punctuation will be penalised when assignments are marked.
    4. The final grade is based on the aggregate of the marks for all assessment items and is assigned in accordance with Arts Faculty Guidelines.