57013 Journalism Studies
UTS: Communication: Journalism Information and Media LearningCredit 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 promotion of 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
| Objective(s): | a, b, c |
| Weighting: | 30% |
| 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. |
| Assessment criteria: |
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Assessment item 2: Oral and written presentation of progress report on research essay
| Objective(s): | a, b, c |
| Weighting: | 20% of final mark (10% by tutor for written report, 10% by anonymous peer assessment for class presentation) |
| Task: | Tutorial presentation and written report of 1000 words per student. |
| Assessment criteria: |
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Assessment item 3: 2500-3000 word research essay
| Objective(s): | b, d |
| Weighting: | 50% |
| 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. |
| Assessment criteria: | Work will be assessed for the quality of its:
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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.
Students who miss three or more classes are advised that their final work may not be assessed and they may risk failing the subject
Indicative references
Recommended readings will be posted at UTS Online or accessible electronically via 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 or podcasts.
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)
Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies
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.
Devereux, E (Ed.) (2007) Media studies: key issues and debates London: SAGE, 2007.
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
Wahl-Jorgensen, K and Hanitzsch, T (Eds.) (2008) The handbook of journalism studies. New York: Routledge.
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.
