JRN 2003 Feature Writing

SubjectCat-NbrClassTermModeDescriptionUnitsCampus
JRN2003250202, 2003ONCFeature Writing1.00TWMBA
Academic Group:FOART
Academic Org:FOA004
HECS Band:1
ASCED Code:100703

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: Gary Alcorn
Moderator: Craig Burgess



PRE-REQUISITES:

Pre-requisite: JRN2001 or PRL1001 or JRN1000


SYNOPSIS:

This course will concentrate on humanistic reporting and feature writing. Students will go into the community to research and write several kinds of features, including at least one done under deadline conditions. Students will also learn advanced interviewing techniques.


OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

  • be able to write a newspaper feature story

  • be able to analyse magazines; and

  • be able to write a magazine article.



    • TOPICS:


    DescriptionWeighting (%)
    1. Magazines
    		 25.00
    2. Precision Journalism
    		 5.00
    3. Media Law
    		 10.00
    4. Feature Writing
    		 50.00
    5. Specialist Journalism Production
    		 10.00

    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.

    Calculator

    Granato, L 2001, Newspaper Feature Writing, University of NSW Press, Sydney.

    Quinn, S 2001, Newsgathering on the Net: An Internet Guide for Australian Journalists, 2nd edition, Macmillan, South Yarra.




    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.

    Meyer, P 1979, Precision Journalism, 2nd edition, Indiana University Press, Bloomington.

    Owen, W 1992, Modern Magazine Design, Brown, Dubuque.




    STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

    ACTIVITYHOURS
    Assessment30
    Directed Study30
    Lectures14
    Project Work70
    Tutorial28


    ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

    DescriptionMarks Out ofWtg(%)RequiredDue Date
    500 WORD FEATURE100.0020.00Y15 Aug 2003
    PROPOSAL FOR 1500 WORD FEATURE100.0010.00Y12 Sep 2003
    1500 WORD FEATURE100.0025.00Y10 Oct 2003
    EXAMINATION (3 HOUR CLOSED)100.0045.00YEND S2

    IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

    1. Attendance requirements:
      It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and 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:
      If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
    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:
      The exam for this course is a RESTRICTED EXAMINATION, and candidates are allowed access to : *writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); *calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination.
    7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
      Any deferred or supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
    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 lodge the assignment at the USQ. (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. The journalism course maintains high standards of spelling, grammar, syntax and style. Faults in any of these areas could render a project or proposal unacceptable.