JRN 2002 Radio Journalism

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

SYNOPSIS:

This course provides students with an introduction to broadcast news. It develops an understanding of the history of radio journalism and the theoretical debates concerning the news media's role and key functions, and stresses current affairs knowledge. Radio Journalism also takes a hands-on approach to teaching students how to research, interview, write, report, prepare and present radio news under "real life" deadlines. Students will learn to operate electronic recording and editing equipment, think independently, refine their news sense, operate within the community as journalists, and make ethical decisions. Topics covered include radio news in context, broadcast news writing style, interview techniques, voice production, and editorial decision-making.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course the student should:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the major news events of the previous weeks, in particular, how these events were handled by the broadcast media; (assessment items 1 & 3 refer)
2. have an understanding of the major theoretical debates concerning the news media, including the role of the broadcast media in fostering public awareness of social issues and problems; (assessment items 1 & 2 refer)
3. demonstrate an awareness of the discipline needed to meet the pressure of coping with tight broadcast news deadlines; (assessment item 3 refers)
4. be able to isolate major news stories and to justify their possible inclusion in the front section of a metropolitan or regional radio station news bulletin; (assessment items 1, 2 & 3 refer)
5. be able to write radio news stories based on his/her experience gained from exercises completed in tutorials and workshops, his/her own research material and interviews on local issues; (assessment items 2 & 3 refer)
6. be able to interview and produce stories with recorded material. (assessment items 2 & 3 refer)

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).

The Macquarie Dictionary and Thesaurus. 2 Minidiscs. 2 blank cassettes (30 minute tapes). To complete the practical components of this course, you will require your own mini discs, audio cassettes and batteries. Do not purchase these items until you have consulted your lecturer.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

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. Students will be advised in week one's class of their assignment requirements and due dates. Students must complete and submit all items of assessment in order to be considered for a passing grade in this course. The use of another person's work as the student's own, without appropriate acknowledgment in the essay according to USQ's academic conventions, is plagiarism. Where such a breach of ethical conduct occurs, the assignment may receive a mark of zero.

2.

See Note 1.

3.

Students will be advised in week one's class of their assignment requirements and due dates. Each of the four Newsbreak assessments, worth a total of 40 per cent of the course's marks, will be completed in class and under deadline conditions. Students must complete and submit one Newsbreak story per class (for a total of four) in order to be considered for a passing grade in this course. Students who fail to attend a Newsbreak class will receive a mark of zero for their story. Students who present a valid medical certificate for a missed Newsbreak class will be required to complete and submit their Newsbreak story at a date and time to be determined in consultation with the lecturer. In order to successfully complete this four-part assessment item, students must maintain an up-to-date knowledge of news events and current affairs.

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 1hr lecture and one 2hr tutorial per week. Lectures commence in week 1.
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. (Newsbreak - See important information in Note 3 in Assessment Details).
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:
   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. Assignments in this course require the use of interviews. The conduct of interviews must meet the University's ethical requirements and the examiner must be satisfied that these requirements are met.
2. Correct English is essential in journalism. Errors of spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax will be penalised when assignments are marked. Severe deficiencies could mean failure in the course.