JRN 2004 Public Affairs Reporting

SubjectCat-NbrClassTermModeDescriptionUnitsCampus
JRN2004209801, 2003ONCPublic Affairs Reporting1.00TWMBA
Academic Group:FOART
Academic Org:FOA004
HECS Band:1
ASCED Code:100703

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: Dianne Jones
Moderator: Neil Lomas



PRE-REQUISITES:

Pre-requisite: JRN2000


SYNOPSIS:

Public Affairs Reporting is an advanced reporting course stressing the watchdog role of the press and utilising investigative techniques, including computer-assisted reporting, Internet and other on-line searching. Students undertake in-depth practical assignments. Topics will include local, state, national and international government and politics, defence, immigration and multiculturalism, health, education and welfare, the environment, science, industrial issues, economics and finance.


OBJECTIVES:

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

  • demonstrate an understanding of the theories behind the watchdog role of the press in western society;

  • demonstrate an understanding of public affairs, including local, state, national and international government and politics, defence, immigration and multiculturalism, health, education and welfare, the environment, science, industrial issues, economics and finance;

  • demonstrate an ability to report public affairs at local, state and national levels; and

  • apply computer-assisted reporting techniques to journalistic research.



    • TOPICS:


    DescriptionWeighting (%)
    1. Theories of the role of the press in society
    		 20.00
    2. Journalism research techniques
    		 10.00
    3. Using computer-assisted reporting for public affairs
    		 20.00
    4. Reporting local, state, national and international politics
    		 20.00
    5. Reporting other social institutions
    		 20.00
    6. Issues in public affairs
    		 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.

    Henningham, J. ed 1999, Institutions in Australian Society, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

    Quinn, S 2001, Newsgathering on the Net: An Internet Guide for Australian Journalists, 2nd edition, MacMillan Education, 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.

    Berkowitz, D. ed 1997, Social Meanings of News: A Text Reader, Sage, London.

    Pearson, M 1997, The Journalist's Guide to Media Law, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.




    STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

    ACTIVITYHOURS
    Assessment60
    Directed Study30
    Lectures13
    Private Study32
    Tutorial26


    ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

    DescriptionMarks Out ofWtg(%)RequiredDue Date
    REPORT 1100.0020.00Y18 Apr 2003
    REPORT 2100.0020.00Y09 May 2003
    REPORT 3100.0020.00Y30 May 2003
    FINAL EXAM100.0040.00YEND S1

    OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

    1. Students must submit and pass all items of assessment. Failure to do so will result in a fail grade for the course.
    2. All submissions must be submitted by 5pm on the due date. Late submissions will not be accepted unless accompanied by a valid medical certificate.
    3. Assignments not handed in by the due date and time will receive a mark of zero.
    4. Extensions will not be approved for any item of assessment unless a valid medical certificate is presented with the request.
    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