JRN1000 Introduction to Journalism

Contents

• Staffing
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Other requirements
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

SYNOPSIS

This course is designed to introduce students to the print news media and the theoretical models underpinning their practices. Emphasis will be placed on the need for students to identify newsworthy information and, in their news writing, achieve accuracy, fairness and balance within the constraints imposed regularly on journalists. Students will be introduced to news values, journalism research, interview skills and the elements that make up print news stories. They will be given considerable practice in writing effective introductory sentences, handling attribution and quotations, and structuring complete news stories.

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;
2. identify aspects of two reporting rounds, and start to practise their applications;
3. write an introductory sentence for a news story;
4. write an industry compliant news story.

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

The Macquarie Dictionary,
(Any edition OR)

Conley, D & Lamble, S 2006, The daily miracle: an introduction to journalism, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, 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.

A Thesaurus

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Complete the CMA style test as described. This assessment item relates to Objectives 3 & 4.

2.

Complete all summary introductions as described. This assessment item relates to Objectives 1 and 3.

3.

Complete all stories as described. This assessment item relates to Objectives 1, 3 & 4.

4.

Complete the rounds stories as described. This assessment item relates to all of the objectives.

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 successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the 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 aggregate of the weighted marks 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

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. The journalism course maintains high standards of spelling, syntax, punctuation and style. Faults in any of these could render an assignment unacceptable.
2. If assignments in the course require the use of surveys, interviews, etc., students should be aware of the University and Faculty of Arts ethical requirements/guidelines.
3. Students will require access to the email address listed as their preferred address on their enrolment record. Students will be expected to monitor incoming messages to their email account for information from their examiner. Internet access to USQConnect (including the course Study Desk) is required for this course.
4. Students can expect that questions in assessment items in this course may draw upon knowledge and skills that they can reasonably be expected to have acquired before enrolling in the course. This includes knowledge contained in pre-requisite courses and appropriate communication, information literacy, analytical, critical thinking, problem solving or numeracy skills. Students who do not possess such knowledge and skills should not expect to achieve the same grades as those students who do possess them.

This version produced 12 Sep 2008.