Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 x 2 hour Lecture/Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay 1 | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Essay 2 | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay 1 - (to a new title) | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay 2 (to a new title) | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the debates surrounding media and democracy
2. Demonstrate an understanding of how the 'traditional' theories of journalism relate to the changes accompanying online journalism
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how the convergence of media technologies has impacted on the practice of journalism
4. Demonstrate understanding of how news as a form is affected by the emergence of digital platforms
5. Demonstrate a capacity to construct assignments in a clearly written, logical, properly referenced manner
Brief description
This module explores the relationship between 'new' media and core journalism practice. It focuses on analysis of the changing nature and role of journalism in the expanding digital arena and its impact on newsgathering and reporting. It aims to explore the ways in which 'new' media impact on what are considered the traditional skills of journalists. It also aims to enable students to understand 'new media' journalism texts and become critical users of the converging media.
Content
1. Introduction: What is online Journalism?
2. The Net: Exaggeration and Realism
3. Journalism, Democracy and the Public Sphere
4. Balance and Impartiality
5. News Values and News Stories
6. The rise of net journalism
7. Blogging and UGC: A critique
8. Production of online News (including a tutorial on essay planning)
9. War, Crisis and Online Journalism
10. Review of course themes
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | Students' written communication skills will be developed (e.g. appropriate language and style, accuracy, precision and ability to be concise) Although not directly assessed, opportunities will be given through interactive lecture-workshop sessions for students to develop confidence in using their speaking and listening skills when communicating their ideas |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be able to develop their skills of information, location and retrieval Students will be given opportunities to develop effective note-taking skills Through group and whole class discussion students will be given opportunities to develop an awareness of the opinions of others and reconsider initial ideas if necessary |
| Information Technology | Students will be given the opportunity to develop their authorial and note-taking skills when planning and preparing for written assignments Students will be given opportunities to develop their skills using electronic search and retrieval of sources both on the web and on the AU LIS catalogue Students will develop their skills when referencing from the web and related sources, whilst the ability to evaluate (not describe) and ability to be selective in using these materials are also essential key skills |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will be encouraged to take increasing responsibility for managing their own learning |
| Problem solving | Problem identification and analysis Ability to rationalise, utilise and apply different approaches and materials to understand problematic date |
| Research skills | Students will be able to develop their skills of information, location and retrieval Students will be given opportunities to develop effective note-taking skills |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | Most sessions will involve group work where students will be able to collaborate through discussion Group-work/collaboration will empower the student to utilise their skills in co-operation, leadership, use of initiative and peer scaffolding which in turn will enhance the students' ability to work individually |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5