JRN 1000 Introduction to Journalism

SubjectCat-NbrClassTermModeDescriptionUnitsCampus
JRN1000109781, 2002ONCIntroduction to Journalism1.00TWMBA
Academic Group:FOART
Academic Org:FOA004
HECS Band:1
ASCED Code:100703

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: Dianne Jones
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.

    Any edition of The Macquarie Dictionary,

    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




    STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

    ACTIVITYHOURS
    Assessment33
    Directed Study40
    Lectures13
    Private Study40
    Tutorial26


    ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

    DescriptionMarks Out ofWtg(%)RequiredDue Date
    TUTORIAL DEADLINE EXERCISE #1999.0010.00Y04 Mar 2002 (see note 1)
    FINAL STORY #1999.0020.00Y04 Mar 2002 (see note 2)
    TUTORIAL DEADLINE EXERCISE #2999.0030.00Y04 Mar 2002 (see note 3)
    FINAL STORY #2999.0040.00Y04 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. In order to be considered for a passing grade, students must pass all items of assessment. Failure to do so will result in a fail grade for the course.
    2. Items 2 and 4 of assessment must be handed in by the due date and time (Due in by 4pm). Late submissions, unless accompanied by a valid medical certificate, will receive a 10% deduction in marks for each working day the submission is late.
    3. Correct English is essential in Journalism. Errors of spelling, grammar and punctuation will be penalised when assignments are marked. Severe deficiencies could mean failure in the course.
    4. Grades will be awarded as follows: F = 0-49% C = 50-64% B = 65- 79% A = 80-89% and HD = 90%+
    5. The final grade is based on the total accumulated marks for all four assessment items.
    6. Items 1 and 3 of assessment must be handed in at the end of class. Given the emphasis on deadlines in everyday journalism, late submissions - not accompanied by a valid medical certificate - will receive a grade of zero.