JRN 1000 Introduction to Journalism

Subject Cat-nbr Class Term Mode Description Units Campus
JRN 1000 48164 3, 2005 EXT Introduction to Journalism 1.00 Toowoomba
Academic group: FOART
Academic org: FOA004
Student contribution band: 1
ASCED code: 100703

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: Janine Little
Moderator: Craig Burgess

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:

  1. demonstrate a broad knowledge of the principles on which information is judged as news;
  2. identify the fundamental constituents of the Australian news media;
  3. write an introductory paragraph to a news story;
  4. write a news story.

TOPICS:


Description Weighting (%)
1. Journalism History
 10.00
2. Australian Journalism Practices
 15.00
3. News Values
 20.00
4. News Sources
 10.00
5. Interviewing
 10.00
6. News Writing
 35.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary,
((For International students if Macquarie not available))

, , The Macquarie Dictionary,

(Any edition)

Conley, D 2002, The daily miracle: An introduction to journalism, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Kaplan, B 2003, Editing made easy, Penguin Books, Camberwell, Vic.
(revised edition)

Lockwood, K (ed) 2003, Style, a guide for journalists, News Limited, Sydney.




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:

ACTIVITY HOURS
Assessment 30.00
Directed Study 60.00
Private Study 75.00


ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

Description Marks out of Wtg(%) Due date
FIRST NEWSWRITING TEST 100.00 10.00 19 Dec 2005 (see note 1)
SECOND NEWSWRITING TEST 100.00 20.00 09 Jan 2006 (see note 2)
THIRD NEWSWRITING TEST 100.00 30.00 23 Jan 2006 (see note 3)
FOURTH NEWSWRITING TEST 100.00 40.00 10 Feb 2006 (see note 4)
NOTES:
1.
Complete all articles as described.
2.
Complete all articles as described.
3.
Complete all articles as described.
4.
Complete all articles as described.

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 be assured of completing each assessment item satisfactorily a student must submit all of the items of summative assessment by the due date and achieve on each the minimum specified standards outlined in 4 (Requirements for a pass in the course).
  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 receiving 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 submitting and passing all of the summative assessment items.
  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/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in 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 despatched to USQ within 24 hours if requested 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 in Journalism. Errors of spelling, grammar and punctuation will be penalised when assignments are marked. Severe deficiencies could mean failure in the course.