Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Journalism
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 50115 Journalism 2 OR 50235 Journalism 2 OR 57011 Research and Reporting for Journalism

Handbook description

This subject introduces students to the range of technical and conceptual skills involved in the production of current affairs radio journalism. Students produce stories for broadcast on radio station 2SER-FM. As students learn practical radio journalism skills, they explore the editorial and ethical issues that exist in the professional broadcast environment.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject student are expected to:

1. have gained the technical and editorial skills needed for radio current affairs broadcasting.
2. have gained experience working in a broadcast team in a live broadcast environment.
3. be familiar with a range of radio current affairs styles and techniques.

Contribution to graduate profile

• Be able to use their professional skills and knowledge across all media: print, television, radio, the Internet and multimedia
• Have a knowledge and critical understanding of the media
• Have the skills to enter journalism professional practice
• Have a knowledge of the historical, philosophical, ethical and cultural foundations underpinning journalism and strive, throughout their careers, to promote the important role of professional and ethical journalism in the service of the public
• Have an understanding of the role of the media in local, regional, national and global contexts
• Have a critical understanding of the relationships between technology, professionalism and social change and be able to adapt their professional skills to future change and to new production challenges
• Have strong research skills and effectively retrieve and analyse information from a range of sources
• Have a critical understanding of issues of gender, racism, ethnicity, disability and class and the way these are linked to issues of media representation, production and reception
• Have an understanding and commitment to ethical journalism practice

Teaching and learning strategies

Compulsory readings are required where indicated in the subject outline.

Listening to radio current affairs is a crucial requirement. This subject can be technically demanding and as such students will spend some time familiarising themselves with recording and digital editing equipment. For some students this may mean a couple of hours per week leading up to broadcast deadlines.

Students are expected to participate in recording and digital editing workshops and to work in teams for broadcast assessments taking on roles and responsibilities within those teams.

Students will communicate with the lecturer and other team members using UTS online. Regular and reliable communication is essential in this subject.

Content

Students acquire the skills for the production of radio current affair programs including technical production, writing for radio, presentation, interviewing and research. Critical listening to radio current affairs is also a major part of the subject. Students produce and present a one hour long radio current affairs show broadcast on 2SERFM as part of this subject.

Assessment

There are 3 assessment tasks. Satisfactory performance in all 3 is necessary to pass the subject. It is compulsory to attend your class Razors Edge broadcast . Marks deducted for failure to meet deadlines and poor team communication.

Assessment in this unit is graded. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, students are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. Should students experience difficulties fulfilling this requirement, they are advised to contact their lecturer. Students who are unable to attend a particular class through illness should notify the lecturer before the class meeting if possible, and submit a medical certificate where appropriate.

In some circumstances where students have a valid reason for extended absence from class (e.g. illness) they may be required to complete additional assignment work to ensure achievement of objectives.

Assessment item 1: Radio current affairs program analysis. Individual task.

Objectives	c
Value	20%
Due	Tuesday class: Week 5 Friday class: Week 6
Task	A 3-4 minute audio essay submitted on CD. Compare and contrast two radio current affairs programs from two different networks: 2SER and the ABC. If possible compare programs broadcast on the same day/week. A written script must also be submitted for marking purposes. A detailed guide about this assessment task will be distributed in class.

Asessment item 2: Dummy story production and broadcast. Individual/group task.

Objectives	a, b, c
Value	story 25%, broadcast contribution 10%, journal 5%
Due	Week 9
Task	Students must submit on CD a broadcast quality current affairs story. A written journal detailing phone calls made, research notes (press releases, reports, studies, newspaper clippings etc) and at least two paragraphs reflecting on the production process with a critical assessment of the finished story must accompany your recorded story. Original recorded interviews must also be submitted. A separate cue sheet (written introduction/back announce, cue details) is also required. Further details on this task will be distributed in class. Marks are deducted for poor presentation and failure to meet deadline. There is no guarantee that your story will be included in the dummy broadcast.

Asessment item 3: Razors Edge Broadcast. Individual/Group Task components.

Objectives	a, b, c
Value	story and cue sheet 30%, broadcast team contribution 10%.
Due	Tuesday class week 13. Friday class week 14.
Task	Each student must submit on CD a broadcast quality current affairs story with cue sheet. This story should be targeted for broadcast on 2SER. Students will work as a group to broadcast a live current affairs program. Further details on this task will be circulated in class. There is no guarantee that your story will be broadcast. All students will be required to be present at 2SER on their broadcast date.

Protocol for assignments
All recorded assignments must be submitted on CD clearly labelled and boxed (label both the box and the CD with your name and contact details: that is name, phone and email address.

CD's must be accompanied by a written introduction and back announce including details as follows:
Producer/reporter name and contact details:
Story item:
Presenters introduction (for on air announcer to read):
First words (of story):
Last words (of story):
Duration (of story):
Back announce (for announcer to read on air):

Please keep your own copy of your stories as no responsibility is taken for stories submitted.

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Required text(s)

Australian Broadcast Journalism, Second Edition, pub Oxford University Press, 2006. Gail Phillips and Mia Lindgren. (Available at Co-Op Bookshop).

Also Course Reader, Radio Journalism 1.

Indicative references

Gail Phillips and Mia Lindgren, Australian Broadcast Journalism, pub Oxford University Press 2005.
Pro Tools 101: Introduction to Pro Tools, Digidesign, 2006 (Available at Co-Op Bookshop.
Jim Beaman, Interviewing for Radio, pub. Routledge, 2000.
Steve Ahern, Making Radio: A Practical Guide to Working in Radio, pub AFTRS 2000.
Sally A White, Reporting in Australia pub Macmillan Education second edition 1996.
Barbara Alysen, Electronic Reporter, Broadcast Journalism pub Deakin University Press 2000.
John Herbert, Journalism in the Digital Age pub Focal press 2000.