MDIA 2334 - Writing for News Media
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MDIA 2334 Course Writing for News Media Coordinating Unit Media Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact 3 hours per week Prerequisites 12 units of Level I Humanities and Social Sciences or equivalent Restrictions Available only to students enrolled in B.Media with B. International Studies, B.Media with B.Arts, B.Media Quota 120 Assessment Personal media use article (25%), Article completion (25%), In-class writing activity (40%), Participation and attendance (10%) Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Kathryn Bowd
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Understand basic news story language and structure, story generation and information gathering; 2 Understand news values and "newsworthiness" and be able to apply these in writing for news media; 3 Develop an understanding of writing and editing, including a competency in grammar, that is sufficient to write for news media; 4 Be aware of the impacts of converged and social media on news media practice; 5 Identify basic legal and ethical issues associated with news writing; 6 Demonstrate a basic level of competency in writing for print, broadcast and online news media; 7 Be aware of common sources of news and be able to incorporate these in news writing; 8 Demonstrate an understanding of differing types of news stories and of writing for different types of news media; 9 Be able to use quotes and "grabs" effectively in writing news stories; 10 Demonstrate an understanding of the various roles of news media within society. 最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2, 3, 9 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1, 7, 9 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 4, 7, 8 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 6, 8, 9 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 4, 6 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 8, 10 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 5 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1, 2, 5, 6 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Grundy, B., Hirst, M., Little, J., Hayes, M., & Treadwell, G. (2012) So You Want to Be a Journalist? Unplugged (2nd ed.). Port Melbourne: Cambridge 最新糖心Vlog Press.Recommended Resources
A number of texts focusing on key journalism concepts and skills, such as news writing, can be found in the Barr Smith Library. These texts are recommended additional reading rather than essential resources. They include:
Whitaker, W., Ramsey, J., & Smith, R. (2012). Media Writing: Print, Broadcast and Public Relations (4th ed). New York: Routledge.
Lamble, S. (2011). News As It Happens. South Melbourne: Oxford 最新糖心Vlog Press.
Bainbridge, J., Goc, N., & Tynan, L. (2011). Media & Journalism (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford 最新糖心Vlog Press.
Alysen, B., Oakham, M., Patching, R., & Sedorkin, G. (2011). Reporting In a Multimedia World (2nd ed.).
Allen & Unwin: Crows Nest.
Online Learning
This course makes extensive use of MyUni and some external websites. It includes elements of blended learning. All assignments are to be submitted through MyUni. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Most lectures for this course will be delivered face-to-face, and will also be recorded using the MyMedia system. Lecture recordings will be automatically loaded to MyMedia after delivery.
Some lecture material will be provided online through MyUni. These topics will be noted in the course timetable. In these weeks, students will be required to access the material through MyUni, and must complete an online quiz or quizzes that will count towards the grade for Participation.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A guide to workload for this course is:
- Lecture attendance: 1 hour per week (or equivalent if lecture material scheduled to be provided through MyUni)
- Workshop attendance: 2 hours per week
- Workshop preparation: 3 hours per week (including ongoing engagement with current news)
- Assignment preparation: 3 hours per week
Students are expected to attend workshops having completed the set reading for that week and any preparatory exercises (completion of these will count towards the grade for Participation).
As this is an applied Journalism course, students are expected to engage in watching, reading and listening to news on a regular basis throughout the semester. This engagement with news will form part of the basis for discussions and activities in workshops.
Learning Activities Summary
A detailed schedule of course learning activities will be posted on MyUni.
Each week's class preparation activities will include a combination of readings from the textbook (Grundy et al), engagement with news, online reading, workshop preparation exercises and online exercises/quizzes.
Students are expected to complete the class preparation work before either the workshop or the lecture (see MyUni for details).
Course schedule:
Schedule Week 1 Introduction
News languageWeek 2 WWWWWH
News values
Writing the leadWeek 3 Fundamentals of news writing
The inverted pyramidWeek 4 Writing for print media Week 5 Writing for broadcast media Week 6 Using quotes and grabs Week 7 Telling the story online Week 8 News sources – media releases and meetings Week 9 News sources – numbers and statistics (data journalism) Week 10 Beyond the pyramid – human interest and other story types Week 11 Long-form journalism – features and documentary Week 12 Law and ethics in journalism -
Assessment
The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
This course has five assessment items: three completed primarily out of class, one completed to deadline during class time; and a participation grade recorded through continuous assessment of class work and engagement (including completion of online quizzes and workshop preparation exercises).Assessment Related Requirements
Students MUST make themselves available to complete Assignment 4 (in-class writing to deadline) during the Week 12 workshops. Any student who - for documented reasons such as illness - is unable to attend their regular workshop may be able to negotiate to attend another workshop during that week.Assessment Detail
More information about assignments will be provided through MyUni and in lectures and workshops.
Assignment 1: News analysis presentation
Assignment 2: Print and broadcast news stories
Assignment 3: Sourced news story + reflection
Assignment 4: In-class news writing to deadline for print and broadcast
Participation and engagement (including news and online quizzes)
Submission
All assignments must be submitted electronically through MyUni.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The 最新糖心Vlog places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the 最新糖心Vlog to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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