JRN2004 Public Affairs Reporting

Contents

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

STAFFING

REQUISITES

SYNOPSIS

Public Affairs Reporting is an advanced reporting course stressing the watchdog role of the press and utilising investigative techniques, including computer-assisted reporting and Internet searching. Students undertake in-depth analytical and practical assignments. They will develop their knowledge of specialist reporting, advance their skills in information gathering - including the conduct of in-depth interviews with appropiate sources - and communicate their findings to a general audience. Students will also reflect on their reporting practices and critical coverage of public affairs. Topics include the role of the press in society, systems of government, social institutions, and issues in public affairs reporting.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the theories behind the watchdog role of the press;
2. demonstrate an understanding of public affairs, including systems of government, business and the economy, education, health, medicine, science, religion, cultural diversity, and the environment;
3. demonstrate an ability to report in-depth on public affairs issues and events;
4. apply computer-assisted research and reporting techniques as journalistic practice.

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).

Lockwood, K (ed) 2005, Style: a guide for journalists, News Limited, 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.

Pearson, M 2007, The journalist's guide to media law, 3rd edn, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

This assessment is aligned with Objective 1.

2.

This assessment is aligned with Objectives 2, 3 and 4.

3.

This assessment is aligned with Objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4.

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, punctuation, syntax and style. Faults in any of these could render a project or proposal 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. (The course syllabus distributed to students in the first week of teaching provides this information.)
3. 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.
4. Students will require access to email and have internet access to USQConnect for this course.

This version produced 27 May 2008.