AMU2789 - Video news and current affairs - 2017

This unit provides further development of the key journalistic practices of concepts, research and practices in the production of news and current affairs stories in the audio-visual format. This includes the social, professional and legal context for journalism production; the technical production and conventional narrative styles for video journalism. This unit also examines the various factors affecting the use of audio-visual media for the reporting of news and current affairs stories. Students will research and produce original news stories to deadline in the audio-visual format, produce a critical evaluation of their own performance and provide constructive feedback for their peers.

Upon 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 in the audio-visual media;
2. Demonstrate an ability to select an advantageous medium for presentation, and report in a clear, concise and factual way using news conventions in a video environment;
3. Identify, observe key ethical and legal obligations associated with video journalism, 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 video journalism;
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 affairs and media issues;
7. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the capacities, limitations and socio-professional implications of journalistic practices in audio-visual media.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Jonathan Driskell

Twelve credit points of first-year Arts units.

ATS2789, AZA2789