JRN316 Journalism Speciality (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Communication (COMUN)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject develops the student's command of specialised knowledge in fields reflecting the expertise/research interests of staff. Students gain a critical appreciation of content through a guided set of readings. They then learn techniques to apply what they have learnt to generate news and feature story ideas, to conduct investigations - particularly in-depth interviews with academic and other specialists - and to communicate the results to a general audience. An emphasis is placed on how to acquire contacts and sources, how to interpret and evaluate the information they provide, and on writing/presentation styles.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Session 2 | |
|---|---|
| Internal | Bathurst |
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: JRN316
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Assumed Knowledge:
Enrolment restrictions:
Bachelor of Arts (Communication - Journalism)
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to demonstrate a critical and creative understanding of the key literature in a specialised field of knowledge;
- be able to demonstrate an ability to apply that knowledge to the generation of news and feature story ideas;
- be able to demonstrate an ability to conduct research specific to that field of interest and to conduct in-depth interviews with specialists;
- be able to demonstrate skills to communicate specialist knowledge to a general audience;
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of, and apply, the processes involved in rounds reporting and journalism specialities;
- be able to demonstrate reflective judgement in editorial decision-making including as it applies to media law and ethical practice.
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
The specific reading programs on offer will depend on staff availability and their particular fields of expertise or research interest. Within each program, however, the subject will cover: - the acquisition of specialist knowledge - including its language and the prevailing themes, issues and conflicts among researchers/ practitioners; - research techniques specific to the specialist field of knowledge - journals, newspapers, data bases, think tanks, reports, etc - developing a list of contacts and sources and using them effectively; - in-depth interviewing techniques; - turning jargon and technical language into plain English; - communicating specialist knowledge to a general audience - writing/presentation styles; - media law and ethical practice.
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.