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50305 Specialist Reporting

UTS: Communication: Journalism Information and Media Learning
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

Topic: Sports Reporting
The subject explores the specific characteristics of research and reporting relevant to the field of sports. It develops practical reporting skills and critical analysis of sport reporting and its relationship to the broader range of journalism practices.

The primary focus is on print reporting but the subject also includes opportunities to report in a multimedia environment. Course objectives are achieved through class exercises and workshops and through peer analysis and discussion of each student reporter's coverage of a specific sport such as swimming, golf, athletics, football, hockey and soccer. All students complete tasks in news reporting, live broadcasts, sports blogs and features.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students are expected to:

  1. develop specialist skills in the research, analysis and interpretation required in the coverage of sports
  2. develop an awareness of local, national and international events and issues of significance in sport, and an ability to review, reflect upon and discuss sports issues, including the critical evaluation of media issues relating to the coverage of sport and sports business
  3. build on basic production skills in reporting, interviewing and writing by covering current events and issues in sport and demonstrating an ability to produce sports stories under pressure
  4. develop the ability to produce a sports feature
  5. develop an understanding of the way in which story are produced for a range of audiences and publications
  6. identify key ethical and legal obligations in sports reporting
  7. develop skill in sports reporting across a range of genres
  8. develop the ability to set and meet deadlines
  9. develop an ability to reflect on own work.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject provides students with:

  • an understanding of the role of the media in local, regional, national and global contexts
  • the ability to use their professional skills and knowledge across all media: print, television, radio, the internet, online and multimedia
  • a critical understanding of the relationships between technology, professionalism and social change and are able to adapt their professional skills to future change and to new production challenges
  • strong research skills to effectively retrieve and analyse information from a range of sources
  • the ability to be self-reliant and pro-active, flexible and innovative
  • an understanding and commitment to ethical journalism 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.

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching activities will include seminars which will include discussion, hands-on exercises, report writing using live broadcasts and special location exercises and story writing assignments. Students will produce stories stories appropriate for publication. These stories along with peer feedback will be logged online and UTS Online will be used to facilitate communication with other students and lecturers between classes. The subject is designed to be flexible in its ability to respond to media events as they arise. Guest lecturers may be invited to occasional classes. Students will be expected to monitor the media to develop their knowledge and understanding of current developments and debates within the sporting industry, and key sporting events and fixtures.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Live match reports

Objective(s): b,d,e,f,g,h
Weighting: 20%
Task: Students will watch a 12 live games and write a 500 word report immediately afterwards within a designated time span before deadline.

Assessment item 2: News Assignment, two stories, one graded

Objective(s): a,c,d.e,f,g,h,i
Weighting: 30%
Task: Students will research and write two sports short stories of approximately 500 words each. Each story is to be posted on UTSOnline where it will be peer reviewed with follow up discussion in class.
Assessment criteria: Demonstrated ability to:
  • Evidence of accuracy, clarity, balance and fairness in coverage of sports assignments.
  • Evidence of understanding of news values in sports reporting.
  • Demonstrated skill in writing sports copy.

Assessment item 3: Feature Story

Objective(s): a,b,c,d,e,f,g,i
Weighting: 25%
Length: Length approximately 1,200 words
Task: Students will research and produce a sports feature story. Story to be logged online, where it will be peer reviewed with discussion in following class.
Assessment criteria: Demonstrated ability to:
  • Evidence of skills in analysing and researching information and originating story idea.
  • Accuracy, clarity, balance and fairness demonstrated in writing assignments.
  • Initiative, depth of research and demonstration of overall journalistic skills and ethical professional practice.
  • Evidence of skill in use of language and narrative in sports reporting.
  • Demonstrated organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
  • Professional standards of work submitted, including presentation, production, structure, sources.

Assessment item 4: Sports blog

Objective(s): b,f,g,h,i
Weighting: 25% overall
Length: Weekly 500 words
Task: Students will produce their own sports blog which will include written and visual texts. Students can also include sound and video elements in blogs.
Assessment criteria: Demonstrated ability to:
  • Evidence of understanding of ethical and other issues relevant to sports reporting.
  • Initiative, depth of research and demonstration of overall journalistic skills and ethical professional practice.
  • Demonstrated organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
  • Evidence of use of understanding of importance of visual images in sports reporting.
  • Evidence of knowledge of sources of sports information.
  • Evidence of ability to communicate with chosen audience about sports.

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

All sports media

Conley, David & Lamble, Stephen, (2006), The Daily Miracle, Oxford University Press

Heads, Ian & Lester, G. (1998), Two Hundred Years of Australian Sport, Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

Rowe, D. 1999, Sport, Culture and the Media, Open University Press, Buckingham

Alysen, Barbara et al, (2003) Reporting in a Multimedia World, Allen & Unwin

Mencher, Melvin, (1994) News Reporting and Writing, Brown and Benchmark

Andrews, Phil, (2005) Sports Journalism, a Practical Introduction

Clayton, Joan, (1994) Interviewing for Journalists, Piatkus (London)

McGuire, M., Stilborne, L., McAdams, M., Hyatt, L. (2000) The Internet Handbook for Writers, Researchers & Journalists, Guilford, NY

Quinn, Stephen, (2001) Newsgathering on the Net, MacMillan, Australia