JRN 1000 Introduction to Journalism

SubjectCat-NbrClassTermModeDescriptionUnitsCampus
JRN1000282443, 2003EXTIntroduction 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.


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.

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

    White, S 1966, 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.

    The Macquarie Dictionary,

    (Any edition)

    A Thesaurus




    STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

    ACTIVITYHOURS
    Assessment30
    Directed Study60
    Private Study75


    ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

    DescriptionMarks Out ofWtg(%)RequiredDue Date
    FIRST NEWSWRITING TEST100.0010.00Y01 Dec 2003(see note )
    SECOND NEWSWRITING TEST100.0020.00Y22 Dec 2003(see note )
    THIRD NEWSWRITING TEST100.0030.00Y16 Jan 2004(see note )
    FOURTH NEWSWRITING TEST100.0040.00Y09 Feb 2004(see note )
    NOTES:
    .
    Students must complete all five (5) articles
    .
    Students must complete all four (4) articles
    .
    Students must complete all three (3) articles
    .
    Students must complete both articles

    IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

    1. Attendance requirements:
      There are no attendance requirements for this external course. However, it is the student's responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
    2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
      To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
    3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
      DEADLINES - EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED ON ANY GROUNDS. In fully documented cases of extreme medical disability, other production assignments of equivalent value will be set, ON CONDITION THAT the student fully informs the Examiner of such a need at the earliest convenient time.
    4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
      To be assured of a passing grade, students must demonstrate, via the summative assessment items, that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by obtaining at least 50% of the total weighted marks for all summative assessment.
    5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
      The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
    6. Examination information:
      There is no exam for this course.
    7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
      Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
    8. University Regulations:
      Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/SECARIAT/calendar/Part5/ or in the printed version of the current USQ Handbook.

    ASSESSMENT NOTES

    9.(a) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. (b) Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within five days if required by the Examiner. (c) In accordance with University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances such as documented ill-health. (d) Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in the course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of the course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete-Makeup). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study. (e) Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or sit for an examination at the scheduled time, may apply to defer an assessment in the course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).

    OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

    1. Correct English is essential to Journalism. Spelling, grammar and punctuation (see Module 1) will be taken into consideration when assignments are marked.