JRN5SMP

SOCIAL MEDIA PRACTICE AND JOURNALISM

JRN5SMP

2018

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject develops a sophisticated understanding of social media practice in journalism, public relations and other forms of communication. The subject analyses why we share and why it matters, irrespective of the social media platform. lt will give students an immersive view of the many uses of social media in communication and how to identify best practices in finding and distributing information with these tools. Students will use social media platforms to research story ideas, identify potential sources, develop media campaigns, and to tell stories in live formats. The subject also provides students with the opportunity to:Set up social media accounts with appropriate personal and professional informationManage verification issues with social mediaDemonstrate a high level of competence in writing social media postsSet up Twitter lists as news channelsDevelop social media marketing campaigns or content strategiesAnalyse audiences and measuring success via social media channels

SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorNatalie McKenna

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites Students should be enrolled in Any HUSS Postgraduate courses

Co-requisites none

Incompatible subjects none

Equivalent subjects none

Special conditions none

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsTell Everyone: Why we share and why it mattersRecommendedAlfred Hermida, 2014Doubleday

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Evaluate and compare news platforms with respect to their suitability for telling news stories.

Activities:
Visiting social media sites where breaking news is reported. Analysing how news is disseminated on these sites. Analysing how audiences for social media accounts are developed.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

02. Writing breaking news for social media platforms

Activities:
Write effectively in a required style (with an emphasis on writing in short form). Creating context on Twitter and other social media platforms using devices such as hashtags. Learning how to classify different kinds of information.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)

03. Research social media platforms to source information on developing stories.

Activities:
Manage news "channels" by selecting and following relevant social media accounts based around specific themes.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)

04. Describe and explain processes and outcomes of developing news stories and social media accounts.

Activities:
Develop and present a strategic social media campaign or real time reporting exercise in class and reflect on the process.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)

05. Effective sharing and of stories and other news items using social media platforms.

Activities:
Writing social media posts that build audiences while embedding links to relevant articles.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)

06. Present a professional identity through social media channels.

Activities:
Demonstrate an understanding of links between the profgedssional and the personal by examining and critiquing relevant industry practice. Optimising existing social media profiles and, where appropriate, developing new ones.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorNatalie McKenna

Class requirements

WorkShopWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
"Workshops will need to be held in labs such as HU2 330 or EDU 210. These lab classes are capped at 25. More classes may need to be added depending on enrolments."

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Establishing social media presence and developing active social media profile. 3000 word equivalent.To be assessed using a matrix. The assessment will include evaluating the social media profiles and social media activity.3502, 05, 06
Reflective essay or online article that includes social media analytics case study. 2000 wordsStudents may design their ssay or article for submission to upstart (www.upstart.net.au) or professional publication.3001, 02, 04
Social media campaign or real time reporting exercise. 3000 word equivalent.Feedback provided to the oral presentation can be incorporated in the written submnission.3501, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06