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Researching/Writing Stories (JOUR90001)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This is a practice based subject taught by leading practitioners, which enables students to develop their skills in researching, writing and producing stories. Students will enhance their understanding of how news stories are put together and will develop advanced skills in researching, writing and producing stories in a new and rapidly changing media environment. The subject examines a range of different research techniques and considers how these can be applied. It also explores a range of writing challenges.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should:
- demonstrate a high-level of written and oral communication skills;
- have developed advanced expertise in researching, writing and editing their own work;
- be able to apply high level research skills to investigate news stories;
- demonstrate a high-level of written and oral communication skills;
- demonstrate an advanced and practical understanding of how news stories are put together;
- be equipped to critically reflect on writing challenges that journalists face across different media; and
- be equipped to critically reflect on a range of case studies relating to journalism practice.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- understand the fundamental principles for making critical and ethical judgments regarding professional journalism practice;
- able to evaluate the dynamic processes of change operating in contemporary media and communication industries;
- skills in journalistic research, analysis and interpretation;
- skills in writing, reporting and communicating facts and ideas;
- time management and planning skills through managing and organising workloads;
- cultural and ethical understanding through reflection, reading and practical experience of journalists’ responsibilities; and
- an understanding of how to market their own ideas and successfully pursue careers in an increasingly diversified and transforming industry environment.
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Five short news writing exercises completed in class (approx. 250 words each)
| Throughout the semester | 15% |
An in-class news-story-of-the-week presentation
| During the teaching period | 5% |
A draft portfolio of news stories
| During the teaching period | 40% |
A final portfolio of news stories (NB: The final version is based on the draft, taking into account feedback from teaching staff)
| During the examination period | 40% |
Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass the subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Craig Butt Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 48 hours: 4 hour seminar x 12 weeks Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Andrew Dodd Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 48 hours: 4 hour seminar x 12 weeks Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
340 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Compiled reader plus News Limited Style Guide (News Limited 2011)
- Subject notes
Must be enrolled in one of the following programs in order to take this subject:
- Master of Journalism program (MC-JOURN)
- Advanced Graduate Certificate in Journalism
- Advanced Graduate Diploma in Journalism
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Certificate in Journalism (Advanced) Course Graduate Diploma in Journalism (Advanced) - 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.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022