Text and Audio Journalism (MECM20013)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
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Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject teaches the craft of writing hard and soft news stories for a range of digital and print mass media news publications. With an emphasis on news writing, students learn what news is and how (and why) news priorities and story treatment may differ between print, broadcast and online. Students will learn how to write news and feature stories, as well as producing one piece of broadcast journalism. Students learn how accuracy, as well as clear and concise language. The subject introduces the core skill of interviewing with students provided with ample opportunity to put into practice what is covered in both lectures and classes. The subject also looks at professional codes of ethics and editorial policies. On completion of this subject students should have a strong grasp of current journalistic practices and required skills.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, students will:
- have increased understanding of pathways to the workforce and professional life in contemporary news media writing (or continued study), and journalists' codes of ethics;
- demonstrate a developing knowledge of current journalistic practices, editorial policies, and required skills, including for online publishing;
- the skills to write effectively both for text and audio platforms, and to make editorial assessments about peers' writing; and
- demonstrate a general understanding of current media law and how it directly impacts on journalists.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- an understanding of the imperatives of contemporary journalism;
- the ability to demonstrate competence in writing for the media, including optimum communication techniques and methodology; and
- the ability to make editorial assessments of how effectively a story has communicated facts and concepts.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
MECM30010 Writing Journalism
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
News story
| Week 4 | 20% |
Audio feature
| Week 8 | 35% |
Participation in tutorials | Throughout the semester | 10% |
Feature story
| During the examination period | 35% |
Attendance Hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of (or at least) 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures, in person or via online delivery. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass this subject. For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. (Complete not less than 50% of word count) | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Additional details
Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Louisa Lim Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Total 30 hours: a 1-hour lecture and a 1.5-hour tutorial per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
An online subject reader will be available.
Adobe Creative Cloud can be used in this subject, it is recommended that you purchase a discounted licence via Student IT https://studentit.unimelb.edu.au/software#adobecc
Recommended texts and other resources
Lamble, S., 2011, News As It Happens, OUP
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 31 January 2024