Writing and Editing for Digital Media

Subject PUBL90006 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2
Total Time Commitment: 120
Prerequisites: Admission to the postgraduate certificate or diploma in Publishing and Communications, Master of Publishing and Communications, Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Communications, postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in media and communication, Master of Global Media Communication
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Ms Bryony Cosgrove

Contact

Bryony Cosgrove

bryonyc@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject focuses on the communication techniques required to publish effectively in the digital environment, in particular for professional websites in the public domain. It examines the communication techniques used for 'old' media such as television, radio and print, and how these are adapted for the internet publishing environment. Students will gain practical experience in writing in a number of different styles and formats and will be offered the opportunity to publish their work. On successful completion, the students will be familiar with the story construction techniques used by professional digital publishers and will be able to apply them.

Objectives:
  • have a capacity for effective teamwork through group discussions and collaborative exercises;
  • have a cultural and ethical understanding through reflection and reading on the essential criteria of inclusive writing and editing strategies for a digital environment;
  • have a high level of information technology literacy and understanding of information management through participation in computer laboratory sessions, preparation and management of complex digital materials and completion of exercises and assignments; and
  • have a capacity for critical analysis through close engagement with and critique of a wide range of electronic publications.
Assessment: Evaluate the story construction and writing techniques used across a number of websites (1500 words) 30% due early semester, writing and editing folio exercises (1500 words) 30% due mid semester, develop a series of web features (2000 words) 40% due late semester. Students must attend at least 80% of classes to be eligible for assessment. Essays submitted after the due date without an extension will be penalised 2% per day. Essays submitted after two weeks of the assessment due date without a formally approved application for special consideration or an extension will only be marked on a pass/fail basis if accepted.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • have high-level written and oral communication skills through contribution to class discussions, the completion of exercises and assignments, and wide reading on issues in contemporary digitial communication practice;
  • have cultural and ethical understanding through reflection and reading on the essential criteria of inclusive editing and design strategies for a digital environment;
  • have a high level of information technology literacy through participation in computer laboratory sessions, preparation and management of digital materials and completion of exercises and assignments;
  • have skills in the deployment of visual materials;
  • have skills in research, including the use of online materials in the course of preparing exercises and assignments; and
  • have skills in time management and planning through managing workloads for recommended reading, tutorial presentations and assessment requirements.
Notes: Students enrolled in a cognate postgraduate program may seek approval from the course coordinator.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts (Honours)(Media and Communications)
Master of Art Curatorship (Coursework and Minor Thesis)
Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing
Master of Global Media Communication
Master of Journalism
Master of Publishing and Communications
Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Editing and Communications)
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Editing and Communications)
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Media and Communication)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 150 point program - full time over 18 months
200 point program - full time over 18 months
200 point program - full time over 24 months
Media and Communications

Download PDF version.