57013 Journalism Studies

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

Handbook description

The aim of this subject is to explore the scholarly debates that address news organisations, journalism practices, and the processes of production and consumption of news and current affairs. A comparative theoretical approach is used to critically examine questions about journalism, both from the point of view of those involved in producing media products and from the point of view of audiences. The subject considers the relationship between the media and ideas about democracy, and the relevance of media theory for professional journalism.

This subject explores current scholarship about journalism practice, and develops students' capacities to undertake research in journalism studies. A range of theoretical approaches to the study of journalism and its social context is examined. At all points, a major concern is the implications of journalism theory and research for professional practice as journalists by ourselves and other journalists, and for audiences.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject students are expected to be able to:

demonstrate a critical understanding of journalism in society, and of contemporary debates about journalism practice
apply some of the major scholarly approaches to researching and thinking about journalism
contribute constructively and critically to face-to-face and online discussions of the subject matter of the course
produce written work for assessment that demonstrates a critical knowledge of the major scholarly debates in journalism studies, and a capacity to apply those debates to original research in the field.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject contributes to the development of graduates who have:

a knowledge and critical understanding of the media
a knowledge of the historical, philosophical, ethical and cultural foundations underpinning journalism and you strive to promote the important role of professional and ethical journalism in the service of the public
an understanding of the role of the media in local, regional, national and global contexts
an understanding of the relationship between media theory and practice
a critical understanding of issues of gender, race, ethnicity, disability and class and the way these are linked to issues of media representation, production and reception
an understanding and commitment to ethical journalism professional practice.

Teaching and learning strategies

The weekly classes consist of two parts: one or two lectures and a seminar with discussion of the lecture, readings and case studies and student presentations. Progress of students on their assessment tasks will be discussed and assisted during class. Readings for each week will cover a variety of analytical perspectives in order to develop a critical understanding of the way scholars think about journalism studies. As well as face-to-face activities, learning in this subject involves participating in a range of online activities with your fellow students and teachers.

Content

What Is Journalism Studies?
Truth, Objectivity And Facticity
Audiences And Social Diversity
Professional Identities And Cultural Capital
Professionalism And Cultural Capital
Regulation Of The Profession
Media Power
Negotiating Power Relations – Sources
News As Narrative.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Participation in online discussion group

Objectives	a, b, c
Value	30%
Due	Commencing in Week 2, and to be completed by 26 September, 2008.
Task	Cumulative contribution of at least 2000 words in at least four distinct postings per student, the first one to be posted by 15 August and thereafter at least one every two weeks. Each student will be assigned membership of an online discussion group at the beginning of the semester. There will be up to seven members of each group. Using the UTSOnline section of the subject website, each student will make a written contribution on a regular basis to their group`s discussion of the weekly readings and lectures. In these contributions you will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the relevant concepts and arguments of the text(s) under discussion and to comment on them in ways that contribute positively to the discussion process. Your tutor will give oral feedback on your group`s online discussion in the tutorials, and might from time to time make written contributions to the discussions. All online contributions should be completed within a week after the last lecture, ie by 26 September. You will get a email comment and assessment grade for this task from your tutor. Over the semester your contributions should accumulate to a minimum total of 2000 words, and comprise at least four discrete contributions. Each contribution should include a word count for that contribution plus a running total of the cumulative word count for the semester.
Assessment criteria	demonstrated understanding of an argument ability to present a convincing argument ability to present a convincing case understanding of core concepts and issues positive contribution to discussion appropriate postings of material online.

Assessment item 2: Oral and written presentation of progress report on research essay

Objectives	a, b, c
Value	20% of final mark (10% by tutor for written report, 10% by anonymous peer assessment for summary and class presentation)
Due	As per week assigned to each group
Task	One-page summary, tutorial presentation and written report of 1000 words per student. This task involves an oral and written presentation to your tutorial group of a progress report for your major research essay (Task 3). The schedule for presentations will be discussed in Week 1 and confirmed in Week 2, to commence in classes on October 8/10. The presentation may be done individually or in groups of up to three students. Twenty-four hours before the presentation the equivalent of a one A4 page summary (per student) including sections addressing the intended theoretical framework and empirical field, and an indicative bibliography with links to relevant websites if appropriate, should be posted in the appropriate UTSOnline folder on the subject website. One week after the oral presentation each presenting student must hand in a written version of their presentation (or their part of the group presentation) in both electronic form (in UTSOnline) and hardcopy, and it is this written version which will be graded for assessment purposes by your tutor.
Assessment criteria	effective communication - demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively present ideas and their strengths and weaknesses evidence of understanding of issues discussed quality of online summary and links comprehensive written version of the presentation.

Assessment item 3: 2500-3000 word research essay

Objectives	b, d
Value	50%
Due	Friday 9 November, 2008
Task	Students are expected to demonstrate their capacity to synthesise the material studied during the semester and to apply it as appropriate to a research project by: formulating a research question carrying out research that can address the question adequately presenting the research and analysis in written form using the conventions of academic presentation. The research and essay should be on one of the following topics: an analysis of a piece of journalism practice by themselves or some other person a case study of a specific aspect of journalism practice with respect to the impact of social, economic and/or technological changes. The research question for the essay is to be approved by your tutor after negotiation and discussion in class and online (commencing in Week 3). The final research question is to be confirmed online, with an indicative theoretical framework, empirical field and list of references, by Week 8, and the essay is to be submitted by Friday 9 November. The essay should include the following elements: a discussion contextualising the theoretical perspective adopted within the range of perspectives discussed this semester (approx. 700-1000 words) an account of the empirical research conducted (approx. 1000 words) an analysis of the research in the light of one or more of the theoretical perspectives discussed during the course (approx. 1000 words).
Assessment criteria	Work will be assessed for the quality of its: scholarship (knowledge of the relevant academic literature) rigour, adequacy and insight in the empirical account ability to apply theoretical critique to empirical phenomena effective use of written sources clarity and strength of the argument presented presentation of written work (references, bibliography, literary style). All written work lodged in hardcopy for assessment must be typed (A4, double-spacing, 3 cm right margin), properly referenced using the Harvard style and have a full bibliography attached. Your bibliography should be alphabetical and include all the resources that you've consulted.

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.

Indicative references

There is an anthology containing the required readings for the course. They will be sold through the Student Union on Level 2 of the Tower Building. You will be advised in class of the PLU reference number. You would be well advised to have a copy of the anthology in order to reap maximum benefit from the course. There will be a copy held on Closed Reserve at the library. There is also a set of recommended further readings held electronically on the UTS Library's e-Readings at http://drr.lib.uts.edu.au/drr/public/main

Students should read as widely as possible, certainly more than the required readings when preparing seminar presentations, online discussion contributions and for research projects. Further readings can be found in the UTS library and other academic libraries.

The Resources section of the homepage of the Journalism program at http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/departments/journalism/resources/index.html is a good source of links, and some bibliographies. There are links to Media Studies departments at other universities, many of which publish interesting material and other bibliographies. It is worth exploring these. It is also important to keep in touch with the media. Lots of material is now published online. Media Report (ABC Radio National, 8.30 am and 8.05 pm Thursdays) and Media Watch (ABC TV) publish their transcripts.

The following journals and newsletters are relevant and worth keeping an eye on:

Australian Journalism Review

Australian Studies in Journalism

Colombia Journalism Review

American Journalism Review (online)

Journalism and Mass Communications Quarterly

Journalism: Theory Practice and Criticism

Critical Studies in Mass Communication

Communications Law Bulletin

Media, Culture and Society

European Journal of Communication

Media International Australia

Asia Pacific Media Educator

There is no one set text for the course. However, the following books contain a range of useful articles for various sections of the course:

Benson, R. and Neveu, E. 2004, Bourdieu and the Journalistic Field, Polity, Oxford.

Castells, M. 1996, The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture. Volume 1: The Rise of the Network Society, Blackwell.

Cunningham, S. and Turner, G. (eds), 2001, The Media in Australia, Allen and Unwin.

Curran, J., Morley, D. and Walkerdine, V. (eds), 1996, Cultural Studies and Communication, Edward Arnold.

Curran, J. and Gurevitch, M. (eds.), 2000, Mass Media and Society, 3rd edition, Edward Arnold.

Ericson, R. et al. 1989, Negotiating Control, University of Toronto Press, Toronto.

Freidson, Eliot, 1994, Professionalism reborn: theory, prophecy and policy, Polity.

Hall, S. et al. 1978, Policing the Crisis, London Macmillan

Harvey, David, 1990, The Condition of Postmodernity, Blackwell.

Thompson, J. B., 1990, Ideology and Modern Society - Critical Social Theory in the Era of Mass Communication, Polity

The UTS Markets Library contains a range of material in the communications area. As a rule, you should begin by scanning the shelves in the 300-305 sections, and then access the on-line catalogue. You can also get borrowing rights for a number of other libraries through the UTS library.

Other useful libraries for this course are the AFTRS Library at Macquarie University, and the Australian Communications and Media Authority Library (Level 15, Darling Park-IBM Building, 201 Sussex St., Sydney). While both welcome students, neither can allow you to borrow material, although there are photocopying facilities available.

There is a lot of information relevant to this course available on the World Wide Web. The book by Christine Fogg, Release the Hounds: a guide to research for journalists and writers, Allen and Unwin, 2005, is a helpful resource for journalistic and internet research.