JRN 1000 Introduction to Journalism

SubjectCat-NbrClassTermModeDescriptionUnitsCampus
JRN1000209791, 2003ONCIntroduction to Journalism1.00WIBAY
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.


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. Journalism History
    		 20.00
    2. Australian Journalism Practices
    		 15.00
    3. News Values
    		 20.00
    4. News Sources
    		 10.00
    5. Interviewing
    		 10.00
    6. News Writing
    		 25.00

    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 edition, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

    White, S. 1996, Reporting in Australia, 2nd edition, 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 Study50
    Tutorial24


    ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

    DescriptionMarks Out ofWtg(%)RequiredDue Date
    FIRST NEWSWRITING TEST20.0010.00Y31 Mar 2003
    SECOND NEWSWRITING TEST40.0020.00Y09 May 2003(see note )
    THIRD NEWSWRITING TEST60.0030.00Y26 May 2003
    FOURTH NEWSWRITING TEST40.0040.00Y13 Jun 2003(see note )
    NOTES:
    .
    FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE DUE DATE OF THIS TEST WILL BE ADVISED BY THE LECTURER IN CLASS IN WEEK 1. This assessment must be handed in by the due date and time (Due in by noon).
    .
    FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE DUE DATE OF THIS TEST WILL BE ADVISED BY THE LECTURER IN CLASS IN WEEK 1. This assessment must be handed in by the due date and time (Due in by noon).

    OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

    1. In order to be considered for a passing grade, students must submit 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 noon). 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. Items 1 and 3 of assessment must be handed in at the end of class. Given the emphasis on deadlines in everyday journalism, absence from class tests not accompanied by a valid medical certificate will receive a grade of zero.
    4. 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.
    5. The final grade is based on the aggregate of all assessment items and is assigned as follows: HD = 90-100, A = 80-89, B = 65-79, C = 50-64, F = 0-49