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Investigative Journalism (JOUR90013)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
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 the following before attempting this advanced subject.
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
JOUR90001 | Researching/Writing Stories |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Online)
|
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 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Online)
|
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
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
Coordinator Jo Chandler Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (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 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
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