jrn1tej the emerging journalist
THE EMERGING JOURNALIST
JRN1TEJ
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
The Emerging Journalist introduces students to the shifting roles and responsibilities of journalists and journalism within liberal democratic societies. At the successful completion of The Emerging Journalist, you will appreciate the contemporary media landscape and the role of journalists and media organisations in relation to social, economic, political and cultural power structures. Topics and issues covered include: the changing nature of audiences and the new ways that journalists are engaging and interacting with audiences; the journalistic applications of social media; best practices in reporting and writing for different formats; and the impacts of cultural and technological impacts on journalism as both a profession and as a practice. Assessment tasks are designed to give students an opportunity to start building a portfolio of journalistic work via La Trobe Journalism's online publication for emerging journalists, upstart, http://www.upstart.net.au
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorBrigid McCarthy
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
PrerequisitesN/A
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Identify and write newsworthy stories for print/online publication, using relevant journalistic forms, including the inverted pyramid
- Activities:
- Students will be taught basic news writing skills in weekly lectures and workshops; assessment tasks include writing news articles to publication standard.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
02. , Verbally present research on a newsworthy topic and explain their ideas and questions to groups of other students and staff
- Activities:
- Verbal presentation skills will be covered in introductory lectures; students are required to deliver a verbal presentaiton on their story research and ideas to tutorial groups.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
03. Utilise archival material, and undertake effective online database and search engine searches to develop and write news articles
- Activities:
- Students will be taught effective online search techniques in lectures and workshops; assessment tasks will include using Google Scholar and Google News Alerts and subscribing to social media and online feeds to develop and write stories.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
04. Identify, analyse and evaluate sources, arguments and evidence in a range of platforms (audio, online, print, screen including engagement with audiences) and apply these critical skills to their own work
- Activities:
- Students will be taught how to track sources through print and online sources; students will complete a social media exercise in which they will source appropriate content
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
05. Analyse and understand the concept of best practice as it applies to reporting, writing, recording, filming, photography and attribution, including the Media Alliance Code of Ethics (http://www.alliance.org.au/code-of-ethics.html), media law and, as appropriate, other emerging codes of conduct and guides to best practice
- Activities:
- Students will be introduced to notions of journalistic ethics and notions of best practice as they apply across different platforms; students will be provided with the MEAA's Code of Ethics; awareness of, and capacity to apply notions of best practice will be assessed in quizzes and in news stories.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorBrigid McCarthy
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
Computer LaboratoryWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours computer laboratory per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two 800 word news writing exercise | 40 | 04, 02, 03 | |
| One 1,200 word equivalent writing exercise (including verbal presentation of concept) | 40 | 05, 04 | |
| one 1,200 word equivalent fortnightly news test (4 tests worth 5% each) | 20 | 04, 01, 05 |