THE EMERGING JOURNALIST

JRN1TEJ

2020

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

School: Humanities and Social Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Brigid McCarthy

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 1 - UG

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: N/A

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Identify and write newsworthy stories for print/online publication, using relevant journalistic forms, including the inverted pyramid
02. Verbally present research on a newsworthy topic and explain their ideas and questions to groups of other students and staff
03. Utilise archival material, and undertake effective online database and search engine searches to develop and write news articles
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
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

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Brigid McCarthy

Class requirements

Computer LaboratoryWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.00 hours computer laboratory per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.00 hour lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

Two 700 words each news writing exercisesTwo hard news articles and analysis of news values.

N/AN/AN/ANo35SILO2, SILO3, SILO4

One 1600 word equivalent writing exercise (including verbal presentation of concept)A feature article (includes pitch presentation)

N/AN/AN/ANo40SILO4, SILO5

One 1000 word equivalent fortnightly tests (5 tests worth 5% each)Short online quizzes on news and lecture content

N/AN/AN/ANo25SILO1, SILO4, SILO5