Handbook home
Investigative Journalism (JOUR90013)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On 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 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 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject builds on basic journalistic interview and research skills to introduce the discipline and advanced research techniques of investigative journalism. Students will learn how to access and analyse public records, how to use Freedom of Information legislation, and how to use social media to crowdsource information and be introduced to data journalism. They will be introduced to the multiple ethical and legal issues involved in use of confidential sources and unauthorised disclosures, and how this relates to core journalistic ethical principles. Students will undertake an investigation as part of the subject.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- access and analyse key public records, including land titles, company searches and legal documents;
- use Freedom of Information legislation to obtain information from governments;
- understand the ethical issues raised by unauthorised disclosures and relationships of confidence with sources;
- understand the techniques and principles of data journalism;
- understand the potential of social media for crowdsourcing information; and
- be able to confidently conduct in depth and difficult interviews for journalistic purposes.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- high level ability to analyse writing techniques and affects; and
- high level ability to express thoughts, ideas and observations in accessible written English.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
It is strongly recommended that students complete JOUR90001 Researching and Writing Stories before attempting this advanced subject.
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
JOUR90001 | Researching/Writing Stories |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Completion of JOUR90001 Researching and Writing Stories, and/or substantial industry experience.
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
JOUR90001 | Researching/Writing Stories |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
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 |
---|---|---|
Plan of investigative project
| Early in the teaching period | 10% |
Essay
| Mid semester | 20% |
Written report or equivalent in audio or video investigative project
| During the examination period | 70% |
Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Margaret Simons Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 24 Hours: comprising of a 2-hour seminar in each of the first twelve weeks of course. Total time commitment 170 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
170 Hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Detailed reading guide will be made available, plus additional internet-accessible reading issued weekly.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name 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
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022