JRN4902 - Practice and Representation in Journalism

Leader: TBA

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2007 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2007 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2007 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

The unit addresses the social and industrial production of non-fiction forms. Topics include the history of the observing subject, theories of the documentary and the influence and place of archives in social representation.

Objectives

Students who successfully complete this unit should be able to demonstrate:

1. A critical understanding of the history of journalism as a literary genre, with particular emphasis on the New Journalism of the 1960s and its aftermath.
2. Insights to the ways new trends in journalism have challenged traditional notions of journalism and literature.
3. An ability to draw on journalism theory and literary theory to define the elementsof literary journalism.
4. Application of fictional techniques to the non fiction form and ability to evaluate diverse approaches, techniques, and effects within literary journalism, using sound,logical reasoning, creative interviewing techniques, and effective writing.
5. Knowledge of major literary journalists and their works.

Assessment

Seminar paper (2000 words): 25%
A 'treatment' or proposal for a media production (audio, video multimedia or text as a result of class-based workshops): 25%
Essay or article (5000 words) or the equivalent in an electronic format (audio 15 minutes, video 7 minutes, multimedia): 50%

Prerequisites

First degree with a major in journalism or permission.