jrn5twj the working journalist

THE WORKING JOURNALIST

JRN5TWJ

2016

Credit points: 30

Subject outline

In this subject we will provide a critical examination of the working life of journalists, with particular reference to the way that journalism as a profession is evolving. Lectures from some of Australian's best known journalists and foreign correspondents working here discussing their careers and their views on the media, both local and global are featured. Themes to be explored will include: what attracts people to journalism as a profession? What qualities make for a successful journalist? What qualifications or experiences are really crucial for making the grade? How do journalists see their own role as agents of change, or of fulfilling traditional values of the 'Fourth Estate' such as the public's right to know?. How does journalism practice vary in different parts of the world? And how significant are the apparent diversities developing in the media when it comes to being able to provide a broad range of viewpoints to audiences?

SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points30

Subject Co-ordinatorHugh Martin

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites Must be enrolled in AMGC. Requires co-ordinator's approval.

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Ability to plan, organise, conduct and write up interviews designed for publication

Activities:
The second half of the subject is focused on development of profile interviews in text and/or audiovisual format for the Working Journalist project which is based on the upstart site at http://www.upstart.net.au/about/the-working-journalist/
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
Writing(Writing)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
Speaking(Speaking)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)

02. Ability to write short-form pieces designed for online publication

Activities:
The introductory assignment will engage students in developing a self-directed exploration of academic and general literature/audiovisual content about journalism practice. In 2010 and 2011 material from this assignment has been published on upstart as part of the highly successful 100 articles project (http://www.upstart.net.au/2010/04/28/100-articles/) - this exercise is designed to be the formative assessment for this subject.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Writing(Writing)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)

03. An understanding of audiences for online publications

Activities:
With two of the three assignments specifically designed for upstart (www.upstart.net.au) , students must develop an awareness of its intended and actual audience, and design assessable work accordingly. Students will be shown the "back end" of the upstart site that will demonstrate user statistics, and will watch the impact of the promotion of their material via social media when posted on the site
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)

04. Confidence to discuss issues of journalism practice

Activities:
Presentation of class paper on an aspect of journalism practice (assignment 2). All students are encouraged to draw on niche or specialist areas of journalism. Level 9 students are expected to publish a version of this paper on upstart (www.upstart.net.au)
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Writing(Writing)
Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Speaking(Speaking)

05. Developing an understanding, enthusisam and critical appreciation of the diversity of contemporary journalism practice

Activities:
This is the core mission of the subject. All classes and assessment tasks are designed to facilitate this. See details of assessment. Guest "lecturers" in the form of journalists discussing their work will form a vital component of the seminars.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Writing(Writing)
Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)

Subject options

Select to view your study options…

Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2016, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorHugh Martin

Class requirements

SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
A portfolio of pieces about journalism (equivalent to 2,000 words)This is the formative assessment for this subject3001, 02, 05
Class paper on journalism practice and online feature (2,000 word equivalent )The written-up version of this paper must be designed for pulication on www.upstart.net.au2001, 03, 04, 05
Three profile interview with working journalists in text and/or a/v format (4,000 words equivalent)5001, 02, 03, 04, 05