School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

  • Unit Title

    Convergent Digital Newsroom
  • Unit Code

    BDJ3100
  • Year

    2020
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Prof Trevor Anthony CULLEN

Description

This practice based unit covers practical and critical aspects of multiplatform journalism. These include newsgathering, research, writing, production and editing skills, as well as familiarity with media ethics and law. This unit offers authentic learning through creation of news content for publication and broadcast, working to deadlines in a newsroom environment. Students leave the unit with a portfolio of work and the beginnings of a network of relevant industry contacts.

Prerequisite Rule

A student must pass the following three units BDJ1000, BDJ2100, BDJ3350

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded BRO3025, JOU3205

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Source novel and newsworthy story ideas for the newsroom production cycle.
  2. Create publishable content for our online publication.
  3. Work within a Content Management System to prepare news content for publication.
  4. Communicate with clarity and purpose, using appropriate professional language to support judgements and justify newsroom decisions.
  5. Professionally evaluate broadcast material and articles with regards to legal and ethical issues.

Unit Content

  1. Authentic experience of newsroom teamwork and deadline pressure.
  2. Introduction to specialist areas of reporting.
  3. Development of newsgathering, research and interviewing skills.
  4. Experience with broadcast and online news production and processes.
  5. Skill development in editing news content to suitable standards for publication and broadcast.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will be delivered using technology enhanced learning, a learner-centered approach. Lectures are used to introduce the central concepts that are relevant in understanding the principles and practices of business. They involve a blend of experiences including interactive presentations, videos and small group discussions. Tutorials provide students with the opportunity to further discuss and apply the concepts covered in lectures and readings. Activities focus on small group work, designed to develop communication skills, critical thinking and teamwork. Stimulated work environment provides students with opportunities to use equipment or practice that is standard in industry. Capstone Project allows students to take ownership of their work by choosing a topic and platform through which it will be presented in consultation with the coordinator. Assessment methods for on-campus provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their achievement of the unit learning outcomes. Central to technology-enhanced learning is completing self-directed activities outside of class contact time. These preparatory activities introduce students to initial, relatable conceptions of the topics, which are reinforced through lectures, tutorials and online interactions. Assessment methods for on-campus study provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their achievement of the unit learning outcomes.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio of news content 40%
AssignmentProduction work 40%
ExerciseIn class exercises 20%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

BDJ3100|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for this unit. All assessment changes will be published by 27 July 2020. All students are reminded to check handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Convergent Digital Newsroom
  • Unit Code

    BDJ3100
  • Year

    2020
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Prof Trevor Anthony CULLEN

Description

This practice based unit covers practical and critical aspects of multiplatform journalism. These include newsgathering, research, writing, production and editing skills, as well as familiarity with media ethics and law. This unit offers authentic learning through creation of news content for publication and broadcast, working to deadlines in a newsroom environment. Students leave the unit with a portfolio of work and the beginnings of a network of relevant industry contacts.

Prerequisite Rule

A student must pass the following three units BDJ1000, BDJ2100, BDJ3350

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded BRO3025, JOU3205

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Source novel and newsworthy story ideas for the newsroom production cycle.
  2. Create publishable content for our online publication.
  3. Work within a Content Management System to prepare news content for publication.
  4. Communicate with clarity and purpose, using appropriate professional language to support judgements and justify newsroom decisions.
  5. Professionally evaluate broadcast material and articles with regards to legal and ethical issues.

Unit Content

  1. Authentic experience of newsroom teamwork and deadline pressure.
  2. Introduction to specialist areas of reporting.
  3. Development of newsgathering, research and interviewing skills.
  4. Experience with broadcast and online news production and processes.
  5. Skill development in editing news content to suitable standards for publication and broadcast.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will be delivered using technology enhanced learning, a learner-centered approach. Lectures are used to introduce the central concepts that are relevant in understanding the principles and practices of business. They involve a blend of experiences including interactive presentations, videos and small group discussions. Tutorials provide students with the opportunity to further discuss and apply the concepts covered in lectures and readings. Activities focus on small group work, designed to develop communication skills, critical thinking and teamwork. Stimulated work environment provides students with opportunities to use equipment or practice that is standard in industry. Capstone Project allows students to take ownership of their work by choosing a topic and platform through which it will be presented in consultation with the coordinator. Assessment methods for on-campus provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their achievement of the unit learning outcomes. Central to technology-enhanced learning is completing self-directed activities outside of class contact time. These preparatory activities introduce students to initial, relatable conceptions of the topics, which are reinforced through lectures, tutorials and online interactions. Assessment methods for on-campus study provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their achievement of the unit learning outcomes.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio of news content 40%
AssignmentProduction work 40%
ExerciseIn class exercises 20%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

BDJ3100|1|2