50195 Television Journalism 2

Handbook description

This subject teaches advanced professional practice for television journalism in a critical analytical context. Students are expected to develop further the skills learnt in Television Journalism 1 to produce work of broadcast quality. While certain journalistic skills are shared across the medium, this subject focuses on the processes involved in the preparation and presentation of television current affairs and features. Students learn about a range of television current affairs and features genres including ones involving investigative journalism. Practical skills are developed in a context of an examination of the ethical concepts and codes of conduct particularly relevant to television journalism. Group work is undertaken along with individual writing and scripting exercises. Interviewing and presentation skills are developed to a higher level than Television Journalism 1. Students are encouraged to develop projects in areas of particular interest.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject students should be able to

1. identify a current affairs story, research it in detail and complete a storyboard
2. identify elements and angles, structure a story, identify, plan and conduct interviews
3. use appropriate pictures and sound
4. shoot, write a script for and edit a broadcast quality story
5. identify key ethical and legal obligations associated with television reporting
6. describe local, national and international current affairs and issues

Contribution to graduate profile

• 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

There will be a series of weekly three hour classes, unless otherwise indicated in the Subject Outline. There are a number of elements in the delivery of this subject and students are expected to participate and contribute to them all.

Content

• Nature of current affairs, different modes and markets
• Impact of technological change on television journalism
• Identifying a current affairs story
• The role of research, setting up interviews, narrative structures, writing for television
• Video sequences and their use in television current affairs
• Workshop draft script for first major project including voice-over and interview outline, plus separate research brief and shooting schedule
• Review of first major project experience
• Discuss second major project topic, students present draft story ideas
• Present and workshop draft script for second major project including voice-over and interview outline, plus separate research brief and shooting schedule
• Review editing techniques, interviewing and presentation for major project
• Nature of 'rough cut' and 'fine cut'
• Covering a specialist current affairs story (e.g. investigative, foreign, or live)

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Research brief and draft storyboard - individual

Assessment item 2: First major project - group

Assessment item 3: Research brief and draft storyboard - individual

Assessment item 4: Second major project - group

Minimum 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. Should you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence from class (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Indicative references

There are no set texts or references for this subject however a recommended reading list will be made available from time to time. Further readings including news stories, feature stories, essays, editorials etc will also be distributed. Examples of news, current affairs, public affairs and documentary productions will also be presented throughout the subject.