Master of Journalism - 2018

This course is both an entry-level qualification for a professional journalism career and a mid-career course for working journalists seeking to extend their expertise and refresh the intellectual basis of their practice. It is designed to ensure graduates will make an excellent contribution to their profession using a full range of media technologies.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1. critically analyse the history, role and function of journalism and the news media in local, national, regional and global contexts
2. exercise professional journalism ethics, in the pursuit of truth, accuracy and fairness, and in service of the democratic process and the public right to know
3. analyse and critically evaluate journalism theory and its application in professional practice and scholarship
4. utilise independent research and reporting skills in a range of generic and digital media technologies and formats, for a diversity of people and cultures in a global society
5. enter, or continue, professional practice in the news media with the required expert knowledge and specialist skills to shape the profession during a time of great change.

The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced journalism studies, Part B. Core master's study and Part C. Advanced expertise. All students complete Part B. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A or Part C or a combination of the two.

Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.

Part A. Foundations for advanced journalism studies (24 points)

These studies will introduce you to journalism studies at advanced undergraduate or graduate level. They are intended for students whose previous qualification is not in a cognate field.

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

These studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of journalism studies. Through a combination of academic and practice-based work, you gain a solid foundation in all production technologies - print, video, radio and online - in metropolitan, regional and international contexts.

Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)

The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You have two options:

• a program of coursework study where you select the units to suit your own interests. This option includes the opportunity to undertake an internship in the field.
• a 24 point research thesis. If you wish to use this master's course as a pathway to a higher degree by research you should take this second option.

If you are admitted to the course with a recognised honours degree in a cognate discipline including humanities or social sciences, you will receive credit for Part C, however, should you wish to complete a 24 point research project as part of the course you should consult with the course coordinator.

The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced journalism studies (24 points), Part B. Core master's study (48 points) and Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points).

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course. If you are admitted at:

• entry level 1 you complete 96 points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C
• entry level 2 you complete 72 points, comprising Part B and Part C

Option 1 (Research pathway) or Option 2 (Discipline electives)

• entry level 3 you complete 48 points, comprising Part B.

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options. If this applies to you, you should consult the course coordinator about appropriate units to complete since those listed in Part A (a) may not be appropriate.

You must complete a minimum of 48 credit points at level 5 and a maximum of 24 points at level 2 or 3 for entry point 1. Unless otherwise stated, units with codes beginning with 2 or 3 are 6 points, and units with codes beginning with a 5 are 12 points.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2018handbooks/maps/map-a6008.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Part A. Foundations for advanced journalism studies (24 points)

You must complete:

a. The following units (12 points):

• APG5060 Advanced academic skills (6 points)
• APG5070 Media, mobility and migration(6 points)

b. Two units (12 points) from the following:

• ATS2087 Lifestyle journalism
• ATS2169 Photojournalism
• ATS2255Not offered in 2018 Mobile journalism
• ATS2324 Climate change communication
• ATS2395 Australia in a globalising world
• ATS2490 Advanced professional writing
• ATS2647Not offered in 2018 Journalism: War, crime and trauma
• ATS2693 Politics and the media
• ATS2784 News and power
• ATS2787 Social media and digital storytelling
• ATS2788 Audio storytelling
• ATS2790 Feature writing
• ATS2791 Editing and design
• ATS3113 Reporting the Arts circuit
• ATS3265 Broadcast studio journalism
• ATS3645 Journalism and global change
• ATS3789 Video journalism
• ATS3808 Investigative reporting
• MGF5991 Professional development - Career dynamics

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

You must complete:

a. The following two units (24 points):

• APG5095 Research and writing
• APG5640 Journalism in society

b. Two capstone units (24 points) chosen from the following:

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5135 Video journalism
• APG5182 Digital management and production
• APG5547 Studio production*
• APG5856 Research project

Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)

Students admitted at Entry Level 1 complete Option 1, 2 or 3 below.

Students admitted at Entry Level 2 complete either Option 1 or 2 below.

Option 1

Research Option

The following unit/s:

• APG5848 Research thesis (24 points)** or APG5849 Research thesis A (12 points) and APG5850 Research thesis B (12 points)

** If you are admitted to the course at entry level 3 and wish to complete this 24 point research thesis you should consult with the course coordinator.

Option 2

Discipline Electives

Two units (24 points) from the following:

• APG5184 Video-making as research*
• APG5190 Global journalism: Hong Kong field school*
• APG5351Not offered in 2018 World news
• APG5355 Journalism and technology
• APG5642 Investigative journalism*
• APG5653Not offered in 2018 Journalism futures: New York field school*
• APG5470 Managing multicultural teams (6 points)
• APG5471 Leadership in intercultural environments (6 points)
• APG5752 Field trip in media and communications*
• APG5782 Film festival study tour*
• a capstone unit not already completed in Part B

Option 3

Complementary Electives

Up to 24 points of approved units from the following Arts Graduate coursework programs. All units are available unless marked with an asterisk (*)

These units must be selected form Part B: Core Master's study and /or Part C: Advanced expertise

• A6001 Master of Applied Linguistics
• A6002 Master of Bioethics
• A6003 Master of Communications and Media Studies
• A6004 Master of Cultural and Creative Industries
• A6006 Master of International Development Practice
• A6009 Master of Tourism
• A6010 Master of International Relations
• A6012 Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management

You may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided you have satisfied the requirements indicated for that award during your enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts after successful completion of 24 credit points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above
• Graduate Diploma in Arts after successful completion of 48 credit points of study with a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or above.

If you commenced at entry levels 1 and 2 you can complete a research thesis (24 points) that will provide a pathway to a higher degree by research. If you commenced at entry level 3 you will normally already have an honours degree, however, if you wish to complete a research thesis in journalism you should discuss the options with the course coordinator.