MDIA 3334 - Radio Journalism

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop and apply specialised skills in radio news journalism. It also enables students to develop an in-depth understanding of the media environment through the integration of radio news bulletins into the programing of community radio station Radio Adelaide. Essential skills will be covered in intensive workshops in the first two weeks of the semester, and then students will be rostered in teams to write, produce and present daily news bulletins.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MDIA 3334
    Course Radio Journalism
    Coordinating Unit Media
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Average of 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites MDIA 2334, MDIA 2333
    Incompatible MDIA 3329
    Restrictions BMedia with Journalism specialisation (other BMedia students who meet prerequisites may be considered if places available)
    Quota A quota of 24 applies
    Course Description This course provides students with an opportunity to develop and apply specialised skills in radio news journalism. It also enables students to develop an in-depth understanding of the media environment through the integration of radio news bulletins into the programing of community radio station Radio Adelaide. Essential skills will be covered in intensive workshops in the first two weeks of the semester, and then students will be rostered in teams to write, produce and present daily news bulletins.
    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
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1. Plan, write and present daily local and national radio news bulletins on air

    2. Discuss key professional issues relevant to the radio news environment

    3. Work co-operatively and effectively as a team member in a working radio station environment

    4. Competently operate a studio panel, studio recording equipment and digital audio editing

    5. Exercise critical thinking skills to analyse information and make judgements on news value








    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, 5
    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, 3, 4, 5
    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, 3, 4
    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
    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
    1, 2, 5
    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
    3, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    No set requirement
    Recommended Resources
    More information about recommended resources will be provided through MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course is taught primarily off-campus at Radio Adelaide. It has a focus on application of skills and knowledge in a live radio news environment, supplemented by on-campus teaching and learning activities.
    Workload

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

    WORKLOAD

    2 x 7-hour workshops in Week 1 or 2 (depending on enrolment group)

    On-air commitment: 3 hours x 5 days and 2 hours x 5 days – 3 rotations per semester

    2-hour weekly editorial meeting (first half of semester)

    2 hours of assignment preparation per week

    2 hours of research and news engagement per week
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    Specific Course Requirements
    Students will undertake the applied elements of the course at the Radio Adelaide studios
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    This course is based on small-group learning, with students working in teams of three or four to research, write and present daily news
    bulletins to set deadlines
  • 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
    Portfolio and reflection - 30%
    An individual portfolio of 15 radio news stories prepared for broadcast and a 1300-word reflection on professional and skills development during the semester

    News reading portfolio - 15%
    Two 3-minute examples of news-reading – one at the start of the semester (formative) and one at the end of the semester (summative)

    Peer assessment - 25%
    Individual 1300-word reflection on the student’s week as news team producer

    Research project - 30%
    1500-word essay on a radio-related topic
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students must submit all assessment items in order to pass the course
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    All assignments must be submitted via 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.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.