MDIA 2334 - Writing for News Media
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MDIA 2334 Course Writing for News Media Coordinating Unit Media Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study Restrictions Available to BMedia, BCtveArts, BMus and DipMus students only Quota A quota of 120 applies Assessment Print & broadcast news stories 20%, sourced news story and reflection 30%, news writing to deadline 20%, news analysis presentation 20%, participation & engagement 10% 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.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Understand and be able to apply the principles of news language and news story structure 2 Understand news values and concepts of newsworthiness and be able to apply these 3 Develop an understanding of writing and news story structure that is sufficient to write for news media 4 Apply news writing and news story structure concepts and skills to writing for print, broadcast and online news media 5 Be aware of some common sources of news and how these can be incorporated in news writing 6 Be able to use quotes and ‘grabs’ effectively in writing news stories 7 Understand key differences between hard news, soft news and long-form journalism 8 Be aware of influences on news writing such as audience 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)
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 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
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 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
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Career and leadership readiness
- technology savvy
- professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
- forward thinking and well informed
- tested and validated by work based experiences
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 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
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 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
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
A program of weekly readings will be made available through MyUni. Students are expected to complete each week's readings before attending the workshops.
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:
Lamble, S (2016) News as it happens (3rd edition). South Melbourne: OUP
Grundy, B., Hirst, M., Little, J., Hayes, M., & Treadwell, G. (2012) So You Want to Be a Journalist? Unplugged (2nd ed.). Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
Whitaker, W., Ramsey, J., & Smith, R. (2012). Media Writing: Print, Broadcast and Public Relations (4th ed). New York: Routledge.
Additional reading and examples of news practice will be posted in the weekly modules on MyUni.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
This course is taught using a combination of recorded lectures and applied workshops. Each week's lecture recording will be made available
ahead of the weekly workshops.Workshops will be a mix of face-to-face and online (through Zoom) - see timetable for details.
Students enrolled in face-to-face workshops are welcome to attend the Zoom classes in any week if they are unable to attend their face-to-face class (e.g. because of minor illness or isolation/quarantine).
Workshops will focus on journalism theory and practice, with an emphasis on application of skills and understandings.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Workload for this course totals 156 hours. This is made up of:
Lectures: 12 hours
Workshops: 20 hours
Assigned reading: 50 hours
Assignment preparation: 30 hours
News engagement: 44 hoursLearning Activities Summary
Week-by-week course content is available on the MyUni site.Specific Course Requirements
No specific course requirements.Small Group Discovery Experience
All classes taught in computer labs incorporate elements of Small Group Discovery Experience. -
Assessment
The University'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
Presentation: 20%
Print and broadcast news stories: 20%
Sourced news story and reflection: 30%
In-class writing to deadling: 20%
Attendance and participation: 10%Assessment Related Requirements
All assessment items must be submitted in order to be eligible pass the course.Assessment Detail
No information currently available.
Submission
All written/recorded 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.
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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.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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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
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- 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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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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