58110 Introduction to Journalism
UTS: Communication: Journalism Information and Media LearningCredit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks
Handbook description
Students are introduced to principles of professional journalism and its theoretical and ethical dimensions. Students examine the practice of journalism in relation to its historical, economic, political and social contexts with a focus on the impact of the internet on contemporary news media practice. Students research and produce original news stories to deadline and build online ePortfolios. They are introduced to Newsday, the real-time UTS newsroom. Through a critical examination of the process of research and reporting, students develop the rigorous skills required for journalism in the public interest.
Subject objectives/outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:
- write original news stories to a deadline
- practise ethical journalism
- research current news topics in both local and international contexts
- identify newsworthiness in a given context
- apply social, political and legal concepts to journalistic practice
- evaluate news agendas
- critically reflect on their own practice
- evaluate the work of other students.
Contribution to graduate profile
This subject makes a major contribution to students' capacity to apply knowledge and skills to journalism; to communicate effectively; respect plurality through different perspectives; and work ethically. In addition it makes a minor contribution to the capacity of graduates to inquire critically; and to evaluate their own work.
Teaching and learning strategies
Students will first learn the skills needed to practise balanced and accurate reporting; to write clearly and to recognise newsworthiness in a range of contexts through a series of lectures, which will incorporate both practice and theory. They will have weekly lectures and then move into a variety of workshops, seminars, guest lectures and field trips, where they will be encouraged to demonstrate their understanding, through individual learning and assignments, group work and peer reviews. Students will draw on a variety of resources; include readings, podcasts, individual aural feedback; online quizzes and online mentoring from senior students and staff. They will deliver their assignments including their reflection blog and news diary online.
Content
- Introduction to journalism. Why and how do you become a journalist? What is a journalist in a university?
- Developing solid grounding in internet research skills.
- Introduction to interviews, preparation and technique. Demonstration of professional interview practice and deconstruction of student interview practice.
- The role of journalists in a democracy.
- Ethics, ethical practice and journalism.
- Introduction to the Australian legal system and basic legal issues for journalists.
- Overview of convergence.
- News selection and news agendas.
- Introduction to media ownership.
- Pressure on journalists; the relationship between journalists and public relations.
- Identifying and developing contacts.
- Working as a journalist.
- Journalists' principles: balance, accuracy, newsworthiness and clarity. What do journalists mean by objectivity, fairness and balance?
- Construction of basic news stories. Introduction to colour writing.
- Small teams analyse news events across four media outlets (one each in print, radio, online and television), using course readings.
Assessment
Assessment item 1: (a & b) Local news stories
| Objective(s): | a, b, d, g, h |
| Weighting: | 20% |
| Length: | 500 words per story |
| Task: | Students will research stories in the suburbs in which they live and will use this research to produce two news stories. After formative feedback, the student will choose one to be assessed. During their research phase and the production of the news story, students must comply with the MEAA Code of Ethics. Each story will need to have a minimum of four sources and adhere to the inverted pyramid style of news writing. A reflection journal which discusses student's journalistic practice and ways to improve is to be filed in an individual reflection blog. |
| Assessment criteria: |
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Assessment item 2: (a & b) Assigned area news story and NewsDay
| Objective(s): | a, b, d, g, h |
| Weighting: | 30% |
| Length: | 500 words per story |
| Task: | Students will be assigned an area to research and will produce two stories in that area. One story will be assigned on NewsDay. During their research phase and through to production, students must comply with the MEAA Code of Ethics. Each story will need to have a minimum six sources and adhere to the inverted pyramid style of news writing. A reflection journal which discusses student's journalistic practice and ways to improve is to be filed in an individual reflection blog. |
| Assessment criteria: |
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Assessment item 3: (a & b) Colour stories
| Objective(s): | a, b, d, g, h |
| Weighting: | 30% |
| Length: | 500 words |
| Task: | Students will find a subject who illustrates a particular facet of a current news story and write a colour story linking the 'consequence expert' to the story in a wider context. |
| Assessment criteria: |
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Assessment item 4: News review
| Objective(s): | c, d, e, f, g, h |
| Weighting: | 20% |
| Task: | Working in groups, students will analyse a current major news story, considering the medium and applying knowledge of philosophical and ethical issues relevant to journalism, news agendas, sources, media representation and the relationship between journalists and their audiences, sources and advertising. They will prepare a 20-minute presentation as a group. |
| Assessment criteria: |
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Minimum requirements
Students must score more than 75 per cent in the online mastery legal quiz on UTSOnline.
Attendance is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach which involves workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students are required to attend a minimum of 10 classes
Required text(s)
Dykes, B. 2008, Grammar For Everyone, ACER, Melbourne.
Recommended text(s)
Conley, D and Lamble, S. 2007, The Daily Miracle: An introduction to journalism, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Pearson M (2004), Journalist's Guide to Media Law, Allen and Unwin, Sydney, ch.1 & 6.
Quinn, S and Lamble, S. 2007, Online Newsgathering: Researching and reporting for Journalism, Elsevier Science and Technology. Melbourne
Grundy, B. 2007, So you want to be a journalist? Cambridge University Press, Melbourne.
Indicative references
Adams, S and Hicks, W. 2001, Interviewing for journalists, Routledge, London.
Barker, C: TV Globalisation and Cultural Identities 108-119
De Burgh (ed),H. 2005, Making journalists, Routledge, London.
Harcup, T. 2007, The ethical journalist, SAGE, London.
Mencher, M. 2007, News Reporting and Writing (10th ed), McGraw-Hill, Boston.
Price J (2008) How to interview UTS Online
Quinn, Convergent Journalism: The Fundamentals of Multimedia Reporting Elsevier Science and Technology. Melbourne
Quinn, Knowledge Management in the Digital Newsroom Oxford: Focal 2002.
Salter, D (2007) The Media We Deserve, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne.
Shanahan J and Morgan M, TV and its viewers, 22-41.
Simons, M. 2007, The Content Makers, Penguin, Australia.
White, S. 1996, Macmillan Education, Australia
Media Watch ABC1
Press Council
www.poynter.org
The Australian
theaustralian.com.au
The Sydney Morning Herald
smh.com.au
www.abc.net.au/news
www.ninemsn.com.au
news.com.au
nyt.com
Radio National
702
ABC news and current affairs (download programs from the ABC website)
crikey.com.au
