50194 Radio Journalism 2
UTS: CommunicationCredit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks
Requisite(s): 50151 Radio Journalism 1
Handbook description
This subject develops the editorial, technical and presenting skills involved in radio production of a high standard. Students are encouraged to initiate and implement radio program ideas in a broadcast environment. There is an emphasis on challenging conventional approaches to radio journalism both in form and content, and as part of this a variety of radio genres, including documentary/features, is studied along with the skills needed for their production.
Subject objectives/outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:
- research, produce and present short broadcast quality radio features/documentaries
- produce a radio feature/documentary proposal aimed at a particular broadcast audience
- demonstrate skills in producing short current affairs recorded on location.
Contribution to graduate profile
This subject provides students with:
- professional skills and knowledge across all media: print, television, radio, the Internet and multimedia
- a knowledge and critical understanding of the media
- the skills to enter journalism professional practice
- 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
- an understanding of the role of the media in local, regional, national and global contexts
- 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
- strong research skills and effectively retrieve and analyse information from a range of sources
- 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
- an understanding and commitment to ethical journalism practice.
Teaching and learning strategies
Students will produce an extended feature story and a location based current affairs report targeted for broadcast. The technical and editorial work is based on the student's own projects and students are encouraged to work on assessment tasks in class.
Assessment
Assessment item 1: A location based current affairs report. Individual task.
| Objective(s): | a, c |
| Weighting: | 35% |
| Task: | A 3-7 minute story for the Live Local project for the ABC online social media site, Pool. Details given in class in Week 1 by ABC producer. |
| Assessment criteria: | Demonstrated broadcast quality technical and editorial skills that include the use of location based interviews and background atmosphere/sound. |
Assessment item 2: Feature proposal. Individual task
| Objective(s): | b |
| Weighting: | 25% |
| Task: | A detailed researched radio feature /documentary proposal aimed for broadcast on a nominated radio program. |
| Assessment criteria: |
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Assessment item 3: A 6-8 minute specialist current affairs report.
| Objective(s): | a, c |
| Weighting: | 40% |
| Task: | Choose one of the following:
*Exhibit a broad depth of research/investigation/sound elements that distinguish the item from that produced for daily current affairs. And include at least two if not all of the following elements: *Face to face location interviews. *Original recordings of location atmosphere and sound. *Complex mix of ideas, characters and viewpoints. Each student must submit a written intro/cue sheet for broadcast and a work journal including phone calls made, who was interviewed research papers/sites and any other items essential to the story preparation. A hundred word long critique on your finished story should also form part of the journal. |
| Assessment criteria: |
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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)
Radio Journalism 2, Course eReadings
Phillips, G, and Lindgren, M, Australian Broadcast Journalism, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, 2006 (available at Co-Op Bookshop)
Indicative references
Martin Shingler, On Air Methods and Meaning of Radio 791.4409 Shin
Strauss, Neil Radiotext(e) 302.2344 Radi
Beaman Jim, Interviewing for Radio 791.44028, Beam.
Ahern Steve, Making Radio 791.447, Aher
Herbert John, Journalism in the Digital Age, 070.40285 Herb.
Gail Phillips and Mia Lindgren, The Australian Broadcast Journalism Manual, Phil 070.190994
Audio
IFC collection (sound recording): International Feature Conference: 30 years of international radio documentaries/ European Broadcasting Union. Call number 384.5094 INTE (2004)
ABC/UTS Radiophonic Research Collection, 100 individual ABC feature programs available at the library.
An excellent radio features resource is at www.thirdcoastfestival.org/ . There you will find radio feature/documentary programs, talk by program makers at previous festivals and links to useful sites.
Another useful site is Pool, the ABC's social media site, at www.pool.org.au. See specifically My Street
