JRN 1000 Introduction to Journalism

STAFFING:

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 effective 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 theoretical and practical principles on which information is judged as news; (assessment item 2 refers)
2. identify the fundamental constituents of the Australian news media; (assessment item 4 refers)
3. write an introductory paragraph to a news story; (assessment item 1 refers)
4. write an industry compliant news story. (assessment item 3 refers)

TOPICS:

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).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

A Thesaurus

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

NB - NEW ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: All Faculty of Arts assignments must be lodged in the Faculty Assessment Centre on the Ground Floor of Q Block no later than 12 noon on the due date. This assessment must be completed in class in WEEK FOUR. Given the emphasis on deadlines in everyday journalism, absence from this class without a valid medical certificate will result in a grade of zero.

2.

This assessment must be completed in class in WEEK EIGHT. Given the emphasis on deadlines in everyday journalism, absence from this class without a valid medical certificate will result in a grade of zero.

3.

This assessment must be completed in class in WEEK ELEVEN. Given the emphasis on deadlines in everyday journalism, absence from this class without a valid medical certificate will result in a grade of zero.

4.

This assessment must be completed in class in WEEK FIFTEEN. Given the emphasis on deadlines in everyday journalism, absence from this class without a valid medical certificate will result in a grade of zero.

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. For this course, normal class attendance consists of one one-hour lecture and one two-hour tutorial per week.
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 on 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

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.