Journalism Practice I

Aims and objectives

This course is aimed at providing students with the core skills necessary for journalistic practice, as well as an understanding of how newsrooms work. Students will learn how to interview sources and participants in the news and how to research stories from documentary sources. Students will be given practical exercises and detailed feedback aimed at honing their ability to communicate the results of their research in clear and simple terms, easily understandable by the intended audience. Students will learn news writing skills as they apply to all media – print, broadcast and online.

 

After successfully completing this unit, you should:

§         Understand how newsrooms operate.

§         Have developed a news sense, and be able to apply this and allow it to guide your journalistic research.

§         Have developed your knowledge of current affairs.

§         Be able to write simple and clear news stories.

§         Be able to conduct journalistic research from primary sources, including interviews with sources.

§         Have developed your skills in interviewing people during journalistic research

Teaching methods

1 hours lecture and 2 hour tutorial per week.

Assessment

News writing exercises (65% - 75%)
Classroom participation – interview exercises (15%-25%)

Current Affairs Knowledge Tests (10%)

Generic skills outcomes

You will be provided with feedback during the assessment for this unit of study on your progress in attaining the following generic skills:

§         analysis skills,

§         problem solving skills,

§         communications skills,

§         ability to tackle unfamiliar problems

§         ability to work independently

Content

This course has a heavy emphasis on research from primary sources and clear communication. Students will learn basic interview skills, how to access and use primary sources and clear news writing. They will learn about the routine of a newsroom, the news cycle and the requirements imposed by different media.