Researching/Writing Stories

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

240 Hours

Must be enrolled in the Master of Journalism program.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

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 (including data mining) and considers how these can be applied. It also explores a range of writing challenges across different media platforms from print to online. This is a case-based subject and students will be encouraged to examine exemplary stories, to critically evaluate their key features and to then produce work of similarly high quality.

Students who successfully complete this subject 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.

A project consisting of 1,000 words (10%) due early in the semester, an essay reflecting on an aspect of journalistic practice, 3000 words (30%), and a portfolio of news stories consisting of 6,000 words (60%) due in the examination period.

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• provide leadership in journalism at a national and global level;
• understand the fundamental principles for making critical and ethical judgments regarding professional journalism practice;
• evaluate the dynamic processes of change operating in contemporary media and communication industries;
• demonstrate advanced skills in research, analysis and interpretation;
• demonstrate advanced skills in writing, reporting and communicating facts and ideas;
• demonstrate advanced critical thinking through presentation of research papers, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;
• develop time management and planning skills through managing and organising workloads;
• show a capacity for effective team work through group activities;
• acquire cultural and ethical understanding through reflection, reading and practical experience of journalists’ responsibilities;
• demonstrate an understanding of how to market their own ideas and successfully pursue careers in an increasingly diversified and transforming industry environment.