Advanced Non Fiction Writing

Subject JOUR90009 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 25-Jul-2016 to 23-Oct-2016
Assessment Period End 18-Nov-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Aug-2016
Census Date 31-Aug-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 23-Sep-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 30 hours made up of 1 x 2.5 hour seminar per week during semester
Total Time Commitment:

170 Hours

Prerequisites:

Students in the 200-point Master of Journalism program must complete JOUR90001 Researching and Writing Stories before taking this unit. In some circumstances a student may be granted an exemption from this requirement at the discretion of the course coordinator.

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
25
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Basic news writing skills are a minimum.

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 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

Coordinator

Dr Margaret Simons

Contact

m.simons@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject builds on basic news writing skills to explore feature writing, journalistic essay writing and long term literary journalism. Students are introduced to key examples of leading non fiction writing from Australia and overseas, and are encouraged to reflect on the techniques employed, before bringing the results of this study to their own work in a series of practical exercises.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

  • Have a knowledge of the tradition of journalistic non fiction writing, and be familiar with key examples
  • Understand the structures and techniques of journalistic feature writing, including the different methods of research required
  • Have completed a portfolio of work demonstrating the skills of literary journalism.
Assessment:
  • 1,000 word essay (and associated class presentation) analysing one of a selection of pieces of literary journalism, due throughout the semester (25%)
  • Short (1,000 word) feature article on a set topic, due in the first half of semester (25%)
  • Long (2,000 word) feature article, due in second half of semester (50%)

Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass the subject.

Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students should have attained:

  • High level ability to analyse writing techniques and affects
  • High level ability to express thoughts, ideas and observations in accessible written English.
Links to further information: http://graduate.arts.unimelb.edu.au/mcp/master-of-journalism.html
Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Journalism (Advanced)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of Journalism
150 Point Master of Journalism
200 Point Master of Journalism

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