MDIA 2333 - Reporting: Principles and Practice
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MDIA 2333 Course Reporting: Principles and Practice Coordinating Unit Media Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites At least 12 units of level 1 undergraduate study Assumed Knowledge Completion of at least 6 units of Level I MDIA courses Restrictions Available to BMedia students only Quota 100 Assessment News research assignment 30%, news planning & interview preparation 35%, presentation 25%, participation & engagement 10% Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Kathryn Bowd
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Understand news values to identify appropriate story content for reporting 2 Use appropriate methods for researching news stories 3 Be able to gather information through a variety of methods using primary and secondary sources 4 Work effectively to produce high-quality news reporting 5 Be able to consistently meet deadlines while maintaining high journalistic standards 6 Understand the need for professional ethics in journalism and apply these in practice 7 Produce news reports using a range of media technologies 8 Develop an understanding of the role of news media in society and the impact of technological and other change on this role 9 10 University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 3, 8 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2, 3 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3, 4, 7 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4, 5 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 3, 7, 8 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1, 4, 6 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 4, 5 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 6, 8 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Sheridan Burns, L. (2013). Understanding Journalism (2nd ed.). London: Sage.Recommended Resources
A number of texts focusing on key journalism concepts and skills can be found in the Barr Smith Library. These texts are recommended additional reading rather than essential resources. They include:
Bainbridge, J., Goc, N., & Tynan, L. (2011) Media and Journalism (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Tanner, S., & Richardson, N. (2013) Journalism Research and Investigation in a Digital World. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Ricketson, M. (2012) Australian Journalism Today. South Yarra: Palgrave Macmillan.
King, E., & Chapman, J.L. (2012) Key Readings in Journalism. New York; Routledge.
Allan, S. (2010) The Routledge Companion to News and Journalism. Abingdon: Routledge.Online Learning
This course makes extensive use of MyUni and external websites. All assignments are to be submitted through MyUni. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Most lectures for this course will be delivered face-to-face, and will also be recorded using the MyMedia system. Lecture recordings will be automatically loaded to MyMedia following delivery.
Some lecture material will be provided online through MyUni. These topics will be noted in the course timetable. In these weeks, students will be required to access the material through MyUni, and must complete an online quiz or quizzes that will count towards the grade for participation.
Workshops are held in a Media Lab to ensure students have access to appropriate technology including Word and online resources.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Lecture attendance: 1 hour per week
Workshop attendance: 2 hours per week
Workshop preparation: 3 hours per week (including engagement with news)
Assignment preparation: 3 hours per week
This is an approximation of the likely time required in an average week to complete all elements of the course. Actual workload is likely to vary depending on assignment deadlines.
Students are expected to attend workshops having completed the set reading for that week and any preparatory exercises.
As this is a journalism-focused course, students are also expected to engage in watching, reading and listening to news on a regular basis throughout the semester. This engagement with news will form part of the basis for discussions and activities in workshops.Learning Activities Summary
A detailed schedule of course learning activities will be posted on MyUni.
Each week's class preparation will include a combination of readings from the textbook (Sheridan Burns), engagement with news, online reading, workshop preparation exercises and online exercises/quizzes.
Students are expected to complete the class preparation work before either the workshop or the lecture (see MyUni for details of each week's required preparation).
Schedule Week 1 Introduction
The role of the news mediaWeek 2 News definitions and values
Gatekeeping and agenda settingWeek 3 Models of the press
Globalisation and localisationWeek 4 News sources Week 5 News research and networks Week 6 Interviewing skills and strategies Week 7 Interviewing across news media Week 8 News writing skills Week 9 Communicating with audiences Week 10 Producing news to deadline Week 11 The changing newsroom Week 12 Fair and ethical reporting -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
This course has four assessment items: two completed primarily out of class, one completed partly to deadline during class time and partly out of class, and a participation mark recorded through continuous assessment of class work and engagement (including completion of online quizzes and workshop preparation exercises).
Assessment Related Requirements
Students MUST make themselves available to complete the first part of Assignment 4 (in-class writing to deadline) during the Week 11 workshops. Any student who - for documented reasons such as illness - is unable to attend their regular workshop may be able to negotiate to attend another workshop during that week.Assessment Detail
More information about assignments will be provided through MyUni and in lectures and workshops.
Assignment 1: News research assignment
Assignment 2: News planning and interviewing assignment
Assignment 3: Working to deadline + reflection
Participation and engagement (including news and online quizzes)
Submission
All assignments must be submitted electronically through MyUni.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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