ALJ220 - Journalism in Society

Unit details

Note: You are seeing the 2020 view of this unit information. These details may no longer be current.
Year:

2020 unit information

Important Update:

Classes and seminars in Trimester 2/Semester 2, 2020 will be online. Physical distancing for coronavirus (COVID-19) will affect delivery of other learning experiences in this unit. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates one week prior to the start of your trimester or semester.

Last updated: 2 June 2020

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Matthew Ricketson
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:

Nil

Incompatible with:

Nil

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

Scheduled learning activities - campus:

 1 x 2-hour seminar per week

Scheduled learning activities - cloud:

Online independent and collaborative learning including 2 (two) scheduled online workshops

Content

This unit introduces students to the critical analysis of journalism and news media. It employs media and communication theories along with practical exercises to give students critical understanding of what it means to be a professional working in the field of journalism. Students will articulate, analyse and evaluate the news media and the role of journalism in society from a range of historical and contemporary perspectives, including that of the journalist, the audience and the industry.

 

These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit

At the completion of this unit, successful students can:

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

ULO1

Conduct academic and news related research to analyse, synthesise and disseminate this information using a range of technologies

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO2

Work independently and in teams to select, analyse and evaluate information relating to the construction of news stories for different publications and audiences

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO4: Critical thinking

GLO7: Teamwork

ULO3

Respond to time pressure by acting autonomously, responsibly and accountably and through an ongoing commitment to reflective learning about journalism and journalism practice

GLO6: Self-management

ULO4

Work collaboratively with journalistic colleagues, other professionals and community members and build personal contacts and networks

GLO7: Teamwork

ULO5

Demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness when sourcing and following-up news stories

Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility and accountability under time pressure and an ongoing commitment to reflective learning about journalism and journalistic practice

GLO5: Problem solving

GLO6: Self-management

ULO6

Work collaboratively with journalistic colleagues, other professionals and community members and build personal contacts and networks

GLO7: Teamwork

These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year

Assessment

Trimester 1:
Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1 (Group of 2-4 students) - Group assignment 1200 word equivalent 30% Information not yet available
Assessment 2 (Individual) - Quiz 800 word equivalent 20% Week 5
Assessment 3 (Individual) - Critical Essay 2000 words 50% Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: ALJ220 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Click on the fee link below which describes you: