Writing and Editing for Digital Media

This subject is not offered in 2014.

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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

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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/

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.

• 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.

Writing and editing folio exercises totalling 1500 words (30%, due mid-semester), in-class assessment of online narrative tools and techniques, total 1500 words (30%, late in semester), and the development of a series of web features totalling 2000 words (40%, due in the examination period). Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% (or 10 out of 12) classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Any student who fails to meet this hurdle without valid reason will not be eligible to pass the subject. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. 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.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• 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.

Students enrolled in a cognate postgraduate program may seek approval from the course coordinator.