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MDIA 2334 - Writing for News Media

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of writing for news media, through lectures and practical workshops. Students will be introduced to key principles of news writing, and to the specific requirements of writing for print, broadcast and online media. Course content will incorporate news values, news language and news story structure as a foundation for the practical application of this knowledge through class exercises and assignments. Students will have the opportunity to work with a range of types of source material in developing and writing news stories, and will explore the basics of ?soft news? writing and the broader context in which journalism operates.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MDIA 2334
    Course Writing for News Media
    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 I undergraduate study
    Restrictions Available to BMedia, BCtveArts, BMus and DipMus students only
    Quota A quota of 120 applies
    Assessment Print & broadcast news stories 20%, sourced news story and reflection 30%, news writing to deadline 20%, news analysis presentation 20%, participation & engagement 10%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Victoria Fielding

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Understand and be able to apply the principles of news language and news story structure
    2 Understand news values and concepts of newsworthiness and be able to apply these
    3 Develop an understanding of writing and news story structure that is sufficient to write for news media
    4 Apply news writing and news story structure concepts and skills to writing for print, broadcast and online news media
    5 Be aware of some common sources of news and how these can be incorporated in news writing
    6 Be able to use quotes and ‘grabs’ effectively in writing news stories
    7 Understand key differences between hard news, soft news and long-form journalism
    8 Be aware of influences on news writing such as audience
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Lamble, S (2016) News as it happens (3rd edition). South Melbourne: OUP


    Recommended Resources
    A number of texts focusing on key journalism concepts and skills, such as news writing, can be found in the Barr Smith Library. These texts are recommended additional reading rather than essential resources. They include:

    Grundy, B., Hirst, M., Little, J., Hayes, M., & Treadwell, G. (2012) So You Want to Be a Journalist? Unplugged (2nd ed.). Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.

    Whitaker, W., Ramsey, J., & Smith, R. (2012). Media Writing: Print, Broadcast and Public Relations (4th ed). New York: Routledge.

    Bainbridge, J., Goc, N., & Tynan, L. (2011). Media & Journalism (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

    Alysen, B., Oakham, M., Patching, R., & Sedorkin, G. (2011). Reporting In a Multimedia World (2nd ed.).
    Allen & Unwin: Crows Nest.

    Online Learning
    This course makes extensive use of MyUni and some external websites. It includes elements of blended learning. All assignments are to be submitted through MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is taught on campus using a combination of face-to-face lectures and applied workshops. While lectures are recorded, students are encouraged to attendance to maximise their engagement with the course. Workshops are compulsory and are taught in computer labs.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Workload for this course totals 156 hours. This is made up of:

    Lectures: 12 hours
    Workshops: 20 hours
    Assigned reading: 50 hours
    Assignment preparation: 30 hours
    News engagement: 44 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week-by-week course content is available on the MyUni site.
    Specific Course Requirements
    No specific course requirements.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    All classes taught in computer labs incorporate elements of Small Group Discovery Experience.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Presentation: 20%
    Print and broadcast news stories: 20%
    Sourced news story and reflection: 30%
    In-class writing to deadling: 20%
    Attendance and participation: 10%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    All assessment items must be submitted in order to be eligible pass the course.
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    All written/recorded assignments must be submitted 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 .

  • 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.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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