Faculty of: Arts and Business School of: Communication and Creative Industries Teaching Session: Semester 2 Year: 2015 Course Coordinator: Renee Barnes Email: renee.barnes@usc.edu.au Phone: 07 5430 1260 Course outline Code: CMN237 Title: Online Journalism 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description The online world is constantly changing and therefore, this course is dynamic. This course provides you with an understanding of online journalism. It teaches formats and skills for writing journalism for online publications, as well a basic understanding of multimedia journalism. It examines the major theoretical debates around online news delivery and gives you the practical skills to produce specialist online reports. Influences on online journalism, such as participatory journalism, design considerations, multi-media; media convergence, law, and copyright are covered. You will participate in the online publishing process, build a portfolio of published articles, and learn online photojournalism skills. 1.2 Course content writing news for publication online differences between publishing news online and in other media online headings and introductions the role of social media in journalism legal issues and online publishing publishing images and multimedia online 2. Unit value 12 units
Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks Graduate Qualities On successful completion of this course you should be able to: Create journalism for the online medium that adheres to professional standards. Create in-depth web-based journalism, incorporating use of images and multimedia elements. Demonstrate the ability to write under time pressures. Analyse the theoretical issues of the world wide web and the impact on journalism. You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: 1, 2 and 3 Empowered. Engaged. 2 Empowered. Engaged. 1 and 3 Empowered. Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: 3 Sustainability-focussed. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Nil 4.2 Pre-requisites CMN130 or enrolled in AR541, AR641, AR841, AR543, AR643, AR505, AR605, XU301, XP601, UP601 or UU301 4.3 Co-requisites Nil 4.4 Anti-requisites CMN537 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills You will be able to identify a news story and have a basic understanding of how to write a news story. 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
5.2 Assessment tasks Task No. Assessment Tasks Individual or Group 1 Breaking news story 2 Audio slideshow Page 3 Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it? Individual 30% 500 words Week 5 Completed in class and submitted via SafeAssign Individual 40% 90 second slide show Week 10 3 Blog posts Individual 30% 800 words Weeks 12 and 13 100% Uploaded onto YouTube and link emailed to tutor In class posted to your blog and link emailed to tutor Assessment Task 1: Breaking news story Goal: This task has been designed to replicate the pressures of working in an online newsroom and to produce a news story. Product: Breaking news story Format: You will be required to write a breaking news story using information provided to you in class in week 5. Criteria demonstrated understanding of news values quality of introduction and headline demonstrated understanding of the online medium quality of writing style style and grammar Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Information literacy Communication Assessment Task 2: Audio slideshow Goal: Product: Format: For you to demonstrate your ability to produce an audio-visual story for the web. Audio slideshow You will research and produce a 90 second audio-visual story for the web using photographs taken by you and sound recorded by you. This is a web piece using visuals to help tell the story. Your story needs to be produced for a Sunshine Coast audience and include at least two grabs from sources who you have never met before. Grabs should be the original recordings as recorded by you. The finished product must be published on YouTube. Criteria use of audio recording, mixing and editing and appropriate photo sequencing and editing cohesion of images and audio organisation and structure story journalistic inquiry Generic skill assessed Information literacy Skill assessment level
Page 4 Applying technologies Assessment Task 3: Blog posts Goal: Product: Format: For you to critically engage with contemporary journalism issues Blog post You will be required to write two 400-word blog posts during tutorials in Weeks 12 and 13. Based on your individual research, the blog post should identify and discuss a relevant media issue. Criteria evidence of critical/analytical journalism demonstration of the use of the online medium style and grammar Generic skill assessed Applying technologies Communication Skill assessment level 5.3 Additional assessment requirements SafeAssign In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks are submitted electronically via SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. If required, details of how to submit via SafeAssign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course. Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours On campus lecture: 1 hour per week On campus computer workshop: 2 hours per week 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester 1 Semester 2
Page 5 6.3 Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content will I Week / learn? Module What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities 1 Lecture: An explanation of the course and an introduction to online journalism. An overview of the Journalism Australia websites and assessment tasks. 2 Lecture: Writing for online: How does it differ for the web? 3 Lecture: Reporting for online. How can you make your story online ready? 4 Lecture: Knowing the audience. Web analytics enable a journalist to know more than ever about their audience. How does this impact on online reporting? 5 Lecture: Interactivity and participatory journalism. Getting the audience involved in the news production process 6 Lecture: Law and the online medium Learn about different laws that affect the online writer and how to avoid litigation and how to navigate the murky world of online verification 7 Lecture: Practical photojournalism Images are the most common illustration on the web. This lecture teaches you the basics of taking good photographs which are suitable for the web. 8 Lecture: What makes a good audio slideshow? Learn how to select a No computer workshop workshop: Writing for online journalism reporting exercises online reporting and writing exercises workshop: In-class assessment: Breaking News Story online verification exercises. Online legal and ethical scenarios. photography and photo editing using Photoshop. This week you are the photographer. Practical assignments will be set during the tutorial. Please remember a digital camera, USB cord, spare batteries and manual. workshop: Audio
Page 6 story and interview appropriately for an audio slideshow story. editing for your slideshow 9 Lecture: Entrepreneurial journalism: the changing nature of online journalism 10 Monday, 5 th October Labour Day Public Holiday Mid Semester Break Lecture: Social Media and journalism 11 Lecture: Blogging and it s role within journalism 12 Lecture: Blogging as an alternative to journalism 13 Lecture: Where to from here? The future of journalism Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. workshop: Coming up with innovative new media/ journalism ventures. Bringing your audio slideshow together. social media exercises including finding stories, interviewing and creating a professional presence. workshop Creating your own blog and online portfolio. workshop In class assessment writing your blog post. workshop: In class assessment writing your blog post. 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher 1999 The Macquarie Essential Dictionary The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course. 7.3 Specific requirements N/A
Page 7 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 1226 or Email: StudentLifeandLearning@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching 10. Faculty specific information LOCATING JOURNAL ARTICLES If you have been notified that the journal articles in this course are available on e-reserve, use the on-line library catalogue to find them. For journal articles not on e-reserve, click on the "Journals and Newspapers" link on the Library Homepage. Enter the journal title e.g. History Australia, then search for the volume and issue or keyword as needed. ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEETS The Faculty of Arts and Business assignment cover sheet can be found on Blackboard or on the USC Portal at: Faculty of Arts and Business (Students) > Forms. It must be completed in full identifying student name, assignment topic, tutor and tutorial time. This must be attached securely to the front of each assessment item prior to submission. Claims of loss of assignments will not be considered unless supported by a receipt. HELP: If you are experiencing problems with your studies or academic work, consult your tutor in the first instance or the Course Coordinator as quickly as possible. DIFFICULTIES: If you are experiencing difficulties relating to teaching and assessment you should approach your tutor in the first instance. If not satisfied after that you should approach in order your Course Coordinator, Program Coordinator then Head of School. General enquiries and student support Faculty Student Centre Tel: +61 7 5430 1259 Fax: +61 7 5430 2859 Email: FABinfo@usc.edu.au