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Researching/Writing Stories (JOUR90001)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25Dual-Delivery (Parkville) and Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery Semester 2 - Online |
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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
Admission into the MC-JOURN Master of Journalism
OR
Program Coordinator approval is required for enrolment by Community Access Program (CAP), Inbound Exchange/Study Abroad or Incoming Cross-institutional students.
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
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 - Dual-Delivery
Principal coordinator Craig Butt Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Total 48 hours: 4 hour seminar x 12 weeks Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2 - Online
Coordinator Craig Butt Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total 48 hours: 4 hour seminar x 12 weeks Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 26 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 6 August 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 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
Last updated: 3 November 2022