Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

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

    Introduction to Journalism
  • Unit Code

    JOU2111
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit provides an introduction to the principles and practice of the journalistic process, from research and information gathering to writing and producing news and features. It covers both practical and critical dimensions: reporting and editing skills; news writing; and features and articles, as well as discussing legal, social, ethical and political aspects.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded JOU2101, JOU4101

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a professional level of English language proficiency.
  2. Discuss the legal, ethical and political influences on journalism in modern society.
  3. Discuss the major principles and practices in the process of journalism.
  4. Identify the journalistic requirements for research and information gathering.
  5. Produce material suitable for publication in news and feature style.

Unit Content

  1. An introduction to some key concepts of journalism such agenda-setting, objectivity and use of sources.
  2. An introduction to the journalistic process from identifying news and gathering information to grammar and editing skills and interpreting and presenting statistics.
  3. Skills development in preparing articles of varying styles from hard news to features.
  4. Workshops that focus on learning various news structures, constructing feature articles and evaluating online writing.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials and online content.

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
TestNews quizzes25%
JournalTutorial reflection journal30%
AssignmentPortfolio of tasks45%

Text References

  • ^ Lamble, S. (2013). News as it happens. (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: OUP.
  • Hicks, W. et al. (2007). Writing for journalists. London, United Kingdom: Routledge.
  • Hicks, W. (2007). English for journalists. London, United Kingdom: Routledge.

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.

JOU2111|1|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

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

    Introduction to Journalism
  • Unit Code

    JOU2111
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit provides an introduction to the principles and practice of the journalistic process, from research and information gathering to writing and producing news and features. It covers both practical and critical dimensions: reporting and editing skills; news writing; and features and articles, as well as discussing legal, social, ethical and political aspects.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded JOU2101, JOU4101

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a professional level of English language proficiency.
  2. Discuss the legal, ethical and political influences on journalism in modern society.
  3. Discuss the major principles and practices in the process of journalism.
  4. Identify the journalistic requirements for research and information gathering.
  5. Produce material suitable for publication in news and feature style.

Unit Content

  1. An introduction to some key concepts of journalism such agenda-setting, objectivity and use of sources.
  2. An introduction to the journalistic process from identifying news and gathering information to grammar and editing skills and interpreting and presenting statistics.
  3. Skills development in preparing articles of varying styles from hard news to features.
  4. Workshops that focus on learning various news structures, constructing feature articles and evaluating online writing.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials and online content.

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
TestNews quizzes25%
JournalTutorial reflection journal30%
AssignmentPortfolio of tasks45%

Text References

  • ^ Lamble, S. (2013). News as it happens. (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: OUP.
  • Hicks, W. et al. (2007). Writing for journalists. London, United Kingdom: Routledge.
  • Hicks, W. (2007). English for journalists. London, United Kingdom: Routledge.

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.

JOU2111|1|2