units

AZA2787

Faculty of Arts

Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2013 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

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LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Arts
Organisational UnitSchool of Social Science, South Africa
OfferedSouth Africa First semester 2013 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Tinus de Jager

Synopsis

The unit provides a detailed exploration of the production practices, resources, technologies and genres of Online Journalism, including video, audio, graphic and interactive formats. It explores the research capacities and information sources available through the internet. It critically considers the implications for South African and African journalists of different modes of audience engagement and editorial positioning, including social networking media, blogs and wikis. It explores topical debates on the implications of the new medium and the possibilites it offeres to citizens. It covers both news and longer form feature and documentary genres. Please be aware that access to certain technology/equipment will be required for the unit. Contact the unit coordinator for details.

Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an ability to identify and research a news story, conduct interviews and gather appropriate evidence
  2. Demonstrate an ability to report in a clear, concise, factual way using news conventions in at least two media
  3. Identify, observe key ethical and legal obligations associated with news reporting, and reflect critically on their own and others' performance in this regard
  4. Work independently and collaboratively in learning and production processes, including online forums, to produce news reports
  5. Demonstrate an ability to set and meet deadlines, and report under pressure
  6. Demonstrate an awareness of local, national and international people and events relevant to current issues and media issues
  7. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the capacities, limitations and socio-professional implications of online journalistic practices in the Afircan context.

Assessment

Minor project - Online news report employing text and multimedia elements: 30%
Major Project - Online feature report employing text and multimedia elements: 50%
Online critical reflection and in-class invigilation: 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study