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  2. News Writing [CCC3310]

Faculty of Regional Professional Studies (Bunbury)

School: Regional Professional Studies

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.

  • Unit Title

    News Writing

  • Unit Code

    CCC3310

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit will develop students' news writing skills and provide real world experience. Students will learn reporting and editing skills and get a taste of the virtual newsroom by publishing their work on the faculty e-news website. The unit also considers the legal and ethical aspects of journalism.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded CCC2305, CCC3215, CCC3305

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Explain the key principles and practices of news journalism.
  2. Identify legal and ethical issues facing journalists in Australia and be aware of the Australian Journalists Association Code of Ethics.
  3. Produce news stories suitable for publication.
  4. Source information from research and interviews.

Unit Content

  1. An introduction to some key concepts in journalism, including the structure of the newsroom and news styles and structures.
  2. Analysis of the legal aspects of journalism, such as defamation, libel and contempt of court, familiarity with the journalistic code of ethics, journalistic responsibility, and the demands of the press, private and public interests.
  3. Developing writing skills and being part of an editorial team who will produce news stories suitable for publication on our e-news website.
  4. Identifying news worthy events and gathering information through research and interviews.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will consist of lectures, workshops and online activities.

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
PortfolioMid semester submission of news articles 40%
PortfolioEnd semester submission of news articles 40%
JournalWork as a production team member20%

Text References

  • ^ Lamble, S. (2013). News as it happens: An introduction to journalism. (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • ^ Style Manual: For authors, editors and printers. (2002). 6th Edition. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.
  • Conley, D. (2002). The daily miracle: An introduction to journalism. (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • Ward, I. (1995). Politics of the media. South Melbourne: Macmillan.
  • Schultz, J. (1998). Reviving the fourth estate: Democracy, accountability and the media. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Ricketson, M. (2004). Writing feature stories: How to research and write newspaper and magazine articles. Crow's Nest: Allen and Unwin.
  • Richards, I. (2006). Quagmires and quandaries: Exploring journalism ethics. Sydney: UNSW Press.
  • Quinn, S. (2001). Newsgathering on the net. (2nd ed.). South Yarra, Vic: Macmillan.
  • Pearson, M. (2004). The journalist's guide to media law: Dealing with legal and ethical issues. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
  • Oakham, M. (ed). (1997). Don't bury the lead. Geelong: Deakin University Press.
  • Armstrong, M, Lindsay, D. & Watson, R. (1995). Media law in Australia. (3rd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • Carroll, B. (2010). Writing for digital media. London and New York: Routledge.
  • Granato, L. (1991). Reporting and writing news. Sydney: Prentice Hall.
  • Granato, L. (2002). Newspaper feature writing. Geelong: Deakin University Press.
  • Jensen, K.B. (2010). Media convergence: The three degrees of network, mass and interpersonal communication. Pine Forge Press.

Journal References

  • Media international Australia incorporating culture and policy: Australian Key Centre for Cultural and Media Policy: Griffith University.

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

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.

CCC3310|1|1

Faculty of Regional Professional Studies (Bunbury)

School: Regional Professional Studies

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.

  • Unit Title

    News Writing

  • Unit Code

    CCC3310

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit will develop students' news writing skills and provide real world experience. Students will learn reporting and editing skills and get a taste of the virtual newsroom by publishing their work on the faculty e-news website. The unit also considers the legal and ethical aspects of journalism.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded CCC2305, CCC3215, CCC3305

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Explain the key principles and practices of news journalism.
  2. Identify legal and ethical issues facing journalists in Australia and be aware of the Australian Journalists Association Code of Ethics.
  3. Produce news stories suitable for publication.
  4. Source information from research and interviews.

Unit Content

  1. An introduction to some key concepts in journalism, including the structure of the newsroom and news styles and structures.
  2. Analysis of the legal aspects of journalism, such as defamation, libel and contempt of court, familiarity with the journalistic code of ethics, journalistic responsibility, and the demands of the press, private and public interests.
  3. Developing writing skills and being part of an editorial team who will produce news stories suitable for publication on our e-news website.
  4. Identifying news worthy events and gathering information through research and interviews.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will consist of lectures, workshops and online activities.

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
PortfolioMid semester submission of news articles 40%
PortfolioEnd semester submission of news articles 40%
JournalWork as a production team member20%

Text References

  • ^ Style Manual: For authors, editors and printers. (2002). 6th Edition. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.
  • ^ Lamble, S. (2013). News as it happens: An introduction to journalism. (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • Ward, I. (1995). Politics of the media. South Melbourne: Macmillan.
  • Carroll, B. (2010). Writing for digital media. London and New York: Routledge.
  • Schultz, J. (1998). Reviving the fourth estate: Democracy, accountability and the media. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Ricketson, M. (2004). Writing feature stories: How to research and write newspaper and magazine articles. Crow's Nest: Allen and Unwin.
  • Richards, I. (2006). Quagmires and quandaries: Exploring journalism ethics. Sydney: UNSW Press.
  • Quinn, S. (2001). Newsgathering on the net. (2nd ed.). South Yarra, Vic: Macmillan.
  • Pearson, M. (2004). The journalist's guide to media law: Dealing with legal and ethical issues. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
  • Oakham, M. (ed). (1997). Don't bury the lead. Geelong: Deakin University Press.
  • Jensen, K.B. (2010). Media convergence: The three degrees of network, mass and interpersonal communication. Pine Forge Press.
  • Armstrong, M, Lindsay, D. & Watson, R. (1995). Media law in Australia. (3rd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • Conley, D. (2002). The daily miracle: An introduction to journalism. (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • Granato, L. (1991). Reporting and writing news. Sydney: Prentice Hall.
  • Granato, L. (2002). Newspaper feature writing. Geelong: Deakin University Press.

Journal References

  • Media international Australia incorporating culture and policy: Australian Key Centre for Cultural and Media Policy: Griffith University.

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

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.

CCC3310|1|2