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

Requisite(s): 57011 Research and Reporting for Journalism

Handbook description

This subject gives students the opportunities for structured professional work placement in which journalism is produced. Those participating in this subject produce a portfolio of journalism, a written report and a diary of the time and work details during the attachment. Students build on and develop skills they have acquired during the studies and apply those skills in a practical environment. The subject is aimed at self-directed learning and regular academic supervision.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject students should be able to demonstrate:

1. A professional portfolio of work which will include a report on the attachment and a detailed critical review
2. An ability to undertake group and/or individual work under supervision
3. An ability to recognise and apply basic industry standards in relation to the work
4. An ability to develop professional skills gained during the subject by producing high quality journalism
5. An ability to evaluate their own learning and professional practice
6. An ability to evaluate and analyse teaching and learning activities in relation to professional practice.

Contribution to graduate profile

At the completion of the subject, students will:

• Have strong research and reporting skills and be able to effectively retrieve and analyse information from a range of sources
• Have a knowledge and critical understanding of the media
• Be equipped with the necessary skills to either enter professional practice in the media or continue with additional skills and intellectual depth
• Have an understanding of the relationship between media theory and practice
• 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
• Develop the ability to be self-reliant and pro-active, flexible and innovative
• Have an understanding and commitment to ethical journalism practice.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject will provide students with an understanding and appreciation of current professional practices, procedures, issues and skills in the field of journalism. Students enrolled in this subject should aim to build-on and develop the skills they have acquired during their studies and apply those skills in a practical environment. Students undertake a structured professional work attachment, in which the student's learning needs and the journal to which he or she is attached can be brought together in a specified project or a set of tasks. This is not considered work experience but a subject built on self-directed learning with regular and rigorous academic supervision. The attachment will require approximately 100 hours work by the student during the semester. This may be undertaken at times agreed to by the student and the journal where the attachment will take place. Students may decide to split their attachment and spend time with two different organisations, publishers or programs.

Content

Following consultation with the supervisor, the student will arrange the attachment. In some cases the supervisor may also assist in securing a placement through industry contacts. The student will negotiate the attachment, which is a three-way agreement between the student, the sponsor and the supervisor. This will define goals for the student and the sponsor to assist the student in gaining the maximum professional practice in their field. Regular contact with the supervisor must be maintained during the semester.

Requirements

• Students may choose to secure an attachment in any medium or journalism genre for which they have the skills and experience.
• They must meet with their supervisor at least three times during the semester and have regular phone and/email contact as well as attending three subject seminars when students will review their attachments and provide a critical analysis for peer reflection and review.
• Students will submit a C.V. to the supervisor along with subjects already completed and those currently being undertaken as well as a full brief on the attachment.
• Students will complete a 2,000-word written report that offers an appraisal/critique of their attachment.

Class seminars
There will be occassional workshops scheduled by the supervisor for round table discussions during the semester. These may also include other postgraduate students undertaking project work and their supervisors.

Insurance
For any work or activity in a workplace outside the University, students must complete an insurance indemnity application. Their supervisor will provide this information It is their responsibility to acquire the necessary forms, complete them, keep a copy themselves and give a copy to their supervisor to file and another to their industry sponsor.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Preparation of brief

Objectives	c (an ability to recognise and apply basic industry standards in relation to the work)
Value	10%
Due	Week 3
Task	At the start of the subject, students will prepare a complete brief for their supervisor which will include their CV, academic record and any previous professional experience. When the attachment has been agreed upon, students will give a copy of this brief to the supervisor which will include the following: Student name and contact details and the name of the journal to which the student will be attached and contact details including the person to whom they will be answerable A brief introduction indicating their aims and learning objectives for their attachment Description of the activities they and the journal expect of them during the attachment The evidence (portfolio etc) they will provide at the completion of the attachment The date by which they will complete the attachment The date by which they will file their report and evidence A section for the journal's editor to complete which will be a brief assessment of their attachment and reference.
Assessment criteria	Clear, complete and accurate outline of learning objectives evidence of thorough research.

Assessment item 2: Evidence of work produced

Objectives	a, b, c, d (a professional portfolio of work which will include a report on the attachment and a detailed critical review; an ability to undertake group and/or individual work under supervision, recognise and apply professional standards, and develop enhanced professional skills)
Value	70%
Due	Week 14
Task	Students should show evidence of work completed during the attachment, which should include research brief and finished body of work. If no portfolio can be produced, due to the nature of the attachment, this should be noted in the diary and draft work submitted.
Assessment criteria	Professional content and presentation of work demonstration of capacity to produce quality journalism demonstrated capacity to reflect on the experience of learning.

Assessment item 3: Final report/reflective critique

Objectives	e (an ability to evaluate their own learning and professional practice)
Value	20%
Due	Week 14
Task	This report of around 2,000 words offers the appraisal/critique of their attachment in the workplace within a context of coursework (issues/readings/recommended readings etc).
Assessment criteria	Capacity to reflect critically on the experience of the attachment and to make links between professional work and relevant literature studied during the subject. As well, assignments will be assessed on the following: Evidence of understanding of the professional practices carried out in the place of attachment Depth of research Accuracy and clarity in writing Organisational ability Understanding of relevant media and ethical issues Ability to express themselves clearly in seminar presentation and initiate discussion and evaluate own learning activities Evidence of ability within the written report of understanding and involving themselves in the professional practice and subsequent development of professional skills.

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. You are expected to initiate, attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in all scheduled meetings or 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 are no set readings for this subject however the supervisor may suggest some texts or library and online resources.