MDIA 2333 - Reporting: Principles and Practice

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2019

This course covers essential knowledge and skills required for journalists to function in the contemporary media environment. It explores how news stories are researched, effective use of sources and source material, interview techniques and elements of professionalism that impact on how journalists conduct their work. It examines news production in the context of news rooms and in the public domain and the influences of factors such as changing technology and the requirements of ethical practice.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MDIA 2333
    Course Reporting: Principles and Practice
    Coordinating Unit Media
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Assumed Knowledge Completion of at least 6 units of Level I MDIA courses
    Quota A quota of 100 applies
    Course Description This course covers essential knowledge and skills required for journalists to function in the contemporary media environment. It explores how news stories are researched, effective use of sources and source material, interview techniques and elements of professionalism that impact on how journalists conduct their work. It examines news production in the context of news rooms and in the public domain and the influences of factors such as changing technology and the requirements of ethical practice.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Kathryn Bowd

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Understand the requirements of research for news stories
    2 Gather material for news stories using a range of primary and secondary sources
    3 Understand the relationship between source material and news reporting
    4 Understand the role of journalism in society and the impact of change on this role
    5 Understand the need for professional ethics in journalism and apply these in practice
    6 Understand the different kinds of sources commonly used in sourcing news and the contexts of this sourcing
    7 Be familiar with current issues in the news and the professional contexts surrounding these
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    5,6,7,4
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Sheridan Burns, L., and Matthews, B. (2018). Understanding Journalism (2rd ed.). London: Sage.
    Recommended Resources
    A number of texts focusing on key journalism concepts and skills can be found in the Barr Smith Library. These texts are recommended additional reading rather than essential resources. They include:

    Bainbridge, J., Goc, N., & Tynan, L. (2011) Media and Journalism (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

    Tanner, S., & Richardson, N. (2013) Journalism Research and Investigation in a Digital World. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

    Ricketson, M. (2012) Australian Journalism Today. South Yarra: Palgrave Macmillan.

    King, E., & Chapman, J.L. (2012) Key Readings in Journalism. New York; Routledge.

    Allan, S. (2010) The Routledge Companion to News and Journalism. Abingdon: Routledge.
    Online Learning
    This course makes extensive use of MyUni and external websites. All assignments are to be submitted through MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is taught using a combination of lectures and applied workshops focusing on journalism theory and practice.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    12 x 1-hour lectures
    10 x 2-hour workshops
    64 hours reading and class preparation
    24 hours assignment preparation
    36 hours news engagement

    Total: 156 hours
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    No information currently available.

    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    All written assignments must be submitted 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 Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University 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 University 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.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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