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Writing Journalism (MECM30010)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject teaches the craft of writing hard and soft news stories for a range of digital and print mass media news publications. With an emphasis on news writing, students learn what news is and how (and why) news priorities and story treatment may differ between print, broadcast and online. The subject also looks at how traditional news writing differs from other forms of journalistic writing such as blogs or opinion/comment pieces. Students learn how accuracy, as well as clear and concise language, is vital to all kinds of journalistic writing as well as the critical differences between creative writing, public relations writing (PR) and journalistic writing. The subject introduces the core skill of interviewing with students provided with ample opportunity to put into practice what is covered in both lectures and classes. The subject also looks at professional codes of ethics and editorial policies. On completion of this subject students should have a strong grasp of current journalistic practices and required skills.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should have:
- the ability to understand pathways to the workforce and professional life in contemporary news media writing (or continued study), and journalists’ codes of ethics;
- demonstrate a detailed knowledge of current journalistic practices, editorial policies, and required skills, including for online publishing ;
- the skills to write effectively in the genre of news media, and to make editorial assessments about peers’ writing; and
- demonstrate a general understanding of current media law and how it directly impacts on journalists.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- an understanding of the imperatives of contemporary journalism;
- the ability to demonstrate competence in writing for the media, including optimum communication techniques and methodology; and
- the ability to make editorial assessments of how effectively a story has communicated facts and concepts.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
670-302 Writing Journalism
Must not be taken concurrently with MECM20009 Introduction to Media Writing without Coordinator’s approval.
Recommended background knowledge
MECM20009 Introduction to Media Writing
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- News story (750 words), due week 4 (20%);
- Audio Feature (2000 words), due week 8 (35%);
- Feature story (equivalent 1250 words), due examination period (35%);
- Participation in tutorial workshops, assessed throughout the semester (10%).
Hurdle requirement: Minimum 80% attendance at tutorials. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Louisa Lim Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 30 hours: a 1-hour lecture and a 1.5-hour tutorial per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
An online subject reader will be available.
Recommended texts and other resources
Lamble, S., 2011, News As It Happens, OUP
- Subject notes
- This subject is not available as Breadth. This subject is available to students enrolled in the BA (Media and Communications), BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Commerce, and BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Laws.
- Students who have completed 100-105/100-205 Writing Journalism are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts - Media and Communications Informal specialisation Graduate Certificate in Arts - Media and Communications Major Media and Communications - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022