57017 Journalism Studies Project

Handbook description

This is a final subject for the Master of Arts in Journalism program. Students are encouraged to further develop their interests in journalism research and theory in ways that relate to their practical and professional interests. There is a strong emphasis on reflective approaches and producing scholarly work which is relevant to 57018 Journalism Professional Project. Students attend a series of seminars and develop a reading program and research proposal in consultation with their supervisor. Group themes and projects which integrate with the work of the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism are encouraged.

Subject objectives/outcomes

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

1. identify a key issue in Journalism Studies that lends itself to further investigation, analysis and discussion in a research essay
2. develop and finalise a reading program that draws on appropriate academic literature in the area of Australian Journalism Studies
3. analyse, synthesise and integrate ideas gained from academic sources, as well as your own ideas and research, into a well-argued and appropriately formatted and referenced essay that responds directly to your question.

Contribution to graduate profile

Students will:

• have strong research and reporting skills and be able to effectively retrieve and analyse information from a range of sources
• have 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 a knowledge of the historical, philosophical, ethical and cultural foundations underpinning journalism and strive 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 an understanding of the relationships 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
• have a critical understanding of issues of gender, race, ethnicity, disability and class and the way these are linked to issues of media presentation, production and reception
• understand the role the media has played in the dispossession of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the importance of the role the media can play in the reconciliation process and bringing justice to all communities
• develop the ability to be self-reliant and pro-active, flexible and innovative
• have an understanding and commitment to ethical journalism practice and a commitment to life-long learning in journalism professional.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject will develop your familiarity with and ability to use research literature in writing about key research themes in Australian Journalism Studies. It also seeks to enhance your critical analytical and essay-writing skills so that you feel competent and confident in evaluating and engaging with scholarly arguments. The subject involves both seminars and individual supervision. The seminars provide an opportunity for students to discuss key issues in Journalism Studies, familiarise themselves with the requirements of academic writing, and develop and discuss their essay projects with other students. Individual supervision involves one-to-one meetings with the lecturer or their supervisor to discuss work-in-progress and deal with any problems encountered during the research and writing process. You can make an appointment for individual supervision meetings as required. You need to prepare a work agenda for each meeting and email it to the lecturer or their supervisor on the day before it takes place in order to ensure that the necessary resources or advice can be provided. Suggested agenda items include: Recommended reading? Refining my topic? Developing my argument? Troubleshooting.

Content

The following topics will be covered in the seminars. In terms of Australian Journalism Studies, we will take an overview of the area, identify some key researchers and recent research projects/findings, explore some of key themes and look at what the experts have to say on topics selected by students. In terms of academic skills development, there will be an introduction to academic writing and the research process, discussion of different types of research design, and exploration of different essay structures and argumentation strategies.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: A written report on the research design (1200-1500 words)

Assessment item 2: A research essay (5000 words)

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.

Indicative references

Introduction to Australian Journalism Studies research

What are some key themes and projects in the Australian Journalism Studies research field? How can I choose a topic that lends itself to analysis? What is an abstract? How does an abstract help me to plan and structure the reading, writing and analytical process to achieve a well-argued essay?

Readings:
Glasser, T. L. and Marken, L. 2005, 'Can we make journalists better?' in Making journalists (Ed. H. de Burgh) Routledge, Oxon, pp. 264-276. (Closed reserve)

Josephi, B. (2007). 'Positioning Journalism research and journalism education in times of change'. Australian Journalism Review, 29(1): 3-12.

Further reading:
Allan, S. 2005, Journalism: Critical issues, Berkshire UK, Open University Press, pp. 1-15. (Closed reserve)

Bonfiglioli, C., Smith, B., et al., Choice and voice: obesity debates in television news. Medical Journal of Australia, 2007. 187(8): p. 442-445.

Dobinson, G. 2003, 'Australian journalism research index 1992 – 2002', Australian Studies in Journalism, no. 13, pp. 268-356. UTS Library e-reading (Take care NOT to print this very large document).

Ewart, J. 2004, 'Challenging journalists' thinking about their role and journalism', Australian Journalism Review, 26(2), pp. 99-113.

Fogg, C. 2005, Release the hounds: A guide to research for journalists and writers, Sydney, Allen & Unwin, pp. 168-190 (on databases, directories and search engines). (Closed reserve)

Franklin, B., Hamer, M., Hanna, M, Kinsey, M. and Richardson, J. 2005, Key concepts in Journalism Studies, London, Sage. (Closed reserve)

Haas, T, (2004) 'Qualitative case study methods in newsroom research and reporting' in Iorio, S. (Ed.) (2004) Qualitative research in journalism: Taking it to the streets, Mahwah, NJ, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, pp. 59-73. (Closed reserve)

Kirkpatrick, R. 2002, 'The glory of the revelator: Historical documents as a resource' in Journalism: Investigation and research, ed. S. Tanner, Sydney, Longman, pp. 134-149. (Closed reserve)

McNair, B. 2005, 'What is journalism?' in Making journalists, ed. H. de Burgh, Oxon, UK, Routledge, pp. 25-43.

O'Donnell, P. et al. 2006, A colloquium on journalism and cultural diversity, Australian Studies in Journalism, no. 16, pp. 189-211.

Seale, C. (2002). 'The Production of Unreality' Chapter 3 in Seale (2002) Media and Health. London, Thousand Oaks, SAGE Publications Ltd: pages 44-66.

Designing the research

How can I generate research questions and hypotheses from my background reading? How can my research project build on and develop existing knowledge? How do I select and explain my choice of a research method? What is an annotated bibliography and why is it an important research resource?

Reading:
Putnis, P & Petelin, R. 1999, 'Writing in an academic context' in their Professional communication: Principles and applications, Sydney, Prentice Hall, pp. 333-380. (Closed reserve)

Further reading:
Mark Pearson, Jeffrey E. Brand, Deborah Archbold & Halim Rane (for the Australian Press Council) (2001). Sources of news and current affairs. Retrieved 10 February 2009, from http://epublications.bond.edu.au/hss_pubs/96/
http://epublications.bond.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1099&context=hss_pubs

Australian Centre for Independent Journalism, news/Worthy—How the Australian media cover humanitarian, aid and development issues, Retrieved 10 February 2009, from www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pdf/newsworthy.pdf

Australian Press Council (2008), State of the News Print Media in Australia Report 2008 Report, Accessed 10 February 2009, www.presscouncil.org.au/snpma/snpma2008/snpma2008.pdf
www.presscouncil.org.au

Bromley, M. 2006, 'How good is journalism research?' Australian Journalism Review, 28(1), pp. 211-217.

Collins, S. & Rose, J. 2004, 'Case study: City Voice, an alternative to the corporate model', Pacific Journalism Review, 10(2), pp. 32-45.

Ewart, J., Meadows, M., Forde, S. & Foxwell, K. 2005, 'Media matters: ways to link community radio and community newspapers', Australian Journalism Review, 27(2), pp. 87-103.

Herbert, J. 2003, 'Industry and academics: we need each other's research', Australian Journalism Review, 25(2), pp. 189-205.

Jacka, E. 2003, 'Democracy as defeat—The importance of arguments for public service broadcasting, Television & New Media, 4(2), pp. 171-199.

Knight, A. 2003, 'Globalised journalism in the Internet Age', E-journalist, v.3, no.2, Retrieved 20 February 2007, from http://ejournalist.com.au/v3n2/knightr.pdf

Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (2008), Breaking the shackles the continuing fight against censorship and spin. (2008 Press Freedom Report) Accessed 10 February 2009 from: www.alliance.org.au/resources/doc_details/2008_press_freedom_report

Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance 2007, 'Official spin—Censorship and control of the Australian press 2007', press_freedom_report_2007.pdf Accessed 10 Feb 2009, from www.alliance.org.au/resources/doc_details/2007_press_freedom_report

University of the Sunshine Coast 2006, Responding to Cronulla: Rethinking multiculturalism—A National Symposium, Accessed 10 February 2009, from www.usc.edu.au

Essay structures and argumentation strategies

What is good academic writing? What do the experts have to say on my research question and how do I discuss their ideas in a literature review? What new evidence am I offering in response to my research question? How do I indicate the relevance and significance of my research?

Readings:
Nolan, S. 2003, 'Journalism online: the search for narrative form in a multilinear world, Accessed 10 February 2009, from http://hypertext.rmit.edu.au/dac/papers/Nolan.pdf

Simons, M. 2006, 'The Gallery: Insular, intrusive or indispensable?', Speech to The Sydney Institute, February 2006, Accessed 10 February 2009, from http://margaretsimons.com.au/files/Margaret_Simons-Speech_to_Sydney_Institute_(1Feb2006).pdf

Wallace, T. 2002, 'Lachlan Murdoch: Black-tie champion of the common man?', Retrieved 10 February 2009, from www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=1097

Further reading:
UTS Library Study Guides 2007, Developing an argument, Retrieved 10 February 2009, from www.lib.uts.edu.au/students/discover-your-library/referencing-and-writing/developing-an-argument

Other resources

Research resources

The major readings for this subject are available either in UTSOnline or via the internet. The very large research report documents (such as Dobinson 2003, MEAA 2007, 2008) should be downloaded at the discretion of each student depending on her/his research interests and priorities. Journal articles can be accessed as PDF files via APAIS database, available through the UTS Library. The UTS Library also contains a wide range of material in the Journalism, Media and Communication Studies' areas including books, journals and newspapers. You can check the range of material by looking at the list of subject headings on Journalism in the on-line catalogue. Alternatively, you can scan the shelves in the 070 and 300-330 sections. Another alternative is to start with journal databases via the databases seach box on the menu on the UTS Library homepage: Australian Public Affairs Information Service (Informit) (APAIS) covers Australian journals; Academic Search Elite for overseas. You can also use the 'Finding info' menu item under the 'Students' tab. The following journals and newsletters are relevant and worth keeping an eye on: Australian Studies in Journalism; Australian Journalism Review; Asia Pacific Media Educator; Media International Australia; Australian Journal of Communication; Journalism Studies; Journalism: Theory Practice and Criticism; American Journalism Review; Global Media and Communication; Colombia Journalism Review; Online Journalism Review; Media, Culture and Society; European Journal of Communication; Journalism and Mass Communications Quarterly; Critical Studies in Mass Communication; Communications Law Bulletin. In terms of the critical review of professional journalistic practice try ABC-TV's MediaWatch, ABC Radio National's The Media Report, The Media section of The Australian, New Matilda, Crikey.com, Webdiary, and newsblogs by Tim Blair and John Quiggin.