JRN 2003 Feature Writing

Subject Cat-nbr Class Term Mode Description Units Campus
JRN 2003 45015 2, 2005 ONC Feature Writing 1.00 Wide Bay
Academic group: FOART
Academic org: FOA004
Student contribution band: 1
ASCED code: 100703

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: Janine Little
Moderator: Craig Burgess



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 different kinds of features. Students will also learn advanced interviewing techniques.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. plan, research and write a newspaper feature story
  2. analyse magazines; and
  3. plan, research and write a magazine article and a photo caption.

TOPICS:


Description Weighting (%)
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:

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).

Calculator

Granato, L 2001, Newspaper feature writing, Rev. Edn., University of NSW Press, Sydney.
(Rev. edn)

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.

USQ Journalism Study Guide - see Study Desk - Additional Resources.

Aamidor, A 1999, Real feature writing, Mahwah, New Jersey.
(Feature Writing)

Berger, AA 1998, Media research techniques, 2nd edn, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks.
(Mass media - research - methodology)

Evans, H 1997, Pictures on a page: photo-journalism, graphics and picture editing, Pimlico, London.

Gillham, B 2000, The research interview, Continuum, London.
(Interviewing - technique, research - methodology)

Harris, CR 2001, Visual journalism: a guide for new media professionals, Allyn & Bacon, Boston.
(Journalism - data processing - reporters and reporting - photojournalism - newspaper layout and typography)

Meyer, P 2002, Precision journalism, 4th edn, Indiana University Press, Bloomington.

Owen, W 1992, Modern magazine design, Wm C Brown, Dubuque.

Sedorkin, G 2002, Interviewing: a guide for journalists and writers, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW.
(Interviewing in journalism - technique - mass media - television)

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ACTIVITY HOURS
Assessment 30.00
Directed Study 30.00
Lectures 13.00
Project Work 70.00
Tutorials 24.00


ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

Description Marks out of Wtg(%) Due date
PROPOSALS FOR BOTH FEATURES 100.00 20.00 12 Aug 2005 (see note 1)
500-WORD FEATURE 100.00 35.00 16 Sep 2005 (see note 2)
1500-WORD FEATURE 100.00 45.00 28 Oct 2005 (see note 3)
NOTES:
1.
Each proposed story must be suitable for publication in the specified medium.
2.
This feature must be of a publishable standard in every respect.
3.
This feature must be of a publishable standard in every respect.

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. Students must submit all items of assessment. Failure to do so will result in a fail grade for this course.
  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 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.
  2. Assignments requiring the use of interviews, surveys, Internet databases etc must meet University ethical requirements and the examiner must be satisfied these requirements have been met.