Writing for the Media (MECM40011)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides students with the skills to write at an advanced journalistic level. Lectures will present students with techniques that will enhance skills in interviewing, news judgement, narrative technique, researching, framing ideas, developing contacts and using off the record information. Students will also deal with issues of fairness and objectivity, plagiarism, libel and codes of conduct. On completion of this subject, students will have developed advanced skills in print and online feature writing.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to develop practical knowledge of different journalistic writing styles;
- have gained a critical understanding of interviewing, the role of sources and researching;
- have become aware of ethical and legal issues in contemporary journalism; and
- have acquired high level skills in feature writing.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- be able to effectively research and write extended length journalistic stories;
- have gained an understanding of the practical implications of on-going debates over journalistic conduct in relation to their own writings; and
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the mass media and other forms of communication in contemporary society.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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
- A group seminar paper equivalent to 500 words (15%), due during the semester
- A 500 word hard news story (15%), due in week 4
- A print feature equivalent to 1,500 words (30%), due in week 7
- An online feature equivalent to 1500 words (30%), due in the examination period
- Participation in tutorials/workshops (10%), throughout semester
- Hurdle: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% (or 10 out of 12) classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Any student who fails to meet this hurdle without valid reason will not be eligible to pass the subject. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. Essays submitted after the due date without an extension will be penalised 2% per day. Essays submitted after two weeks of the assessment due date without a formally approved application for special consideration or an extension will only be marked on a pass/fail basis if accepted.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Jay Thompson Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 36 hours: a 1-hr lecture and a 2-hr 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
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Arts and Cultural Management Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Arts and Cultural Management Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Publishing and Communications Specialisation (formal) Graduate Certificate in Arts - Media and Communications Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Global Media Communication Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Media and Communications Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Global Media Communication Informal specialisation Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) - Media and Communications Specialisation (formal) Graduate Diploma in Arts - Media and Communications Specialisation (formal) Media and Communications Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Publishing and Communications Specialisation (formal) Media and Communications Informal specialisation Media and Communications Specialisation (formal) 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022