APG5190 - Global journalism: Hong Kong field school - 2018

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Arts

Organisational Unit

Journalism

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Nick Parkin

Coordinator(s)

Mr Nick Parkin
Ms Alicia McMillan

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • Winter semester 2018 (On-campus block of classes)

Notes

Synopsis

What does it take to get a job in journalism in Asia - and why is Hong Kong so vital to the global news industry? In this unit, students will travel to the Asian media capital to explore why this world city is the big draw for news companies from around the globe.

The program begins online in June, when students delve into the organisation, culture and publications of Asian and international media outlets operating in Hong Kong. To follow, students attend an intensive workshop at Monash University (Caulfield) to deepen their understanding of the diversity and interconnectivity of Hong Kong's news media and consolidate their skills in feature writing.

Then, over seven days in July, students travel to Hong Kong and the harbour-front news hub of Wan Chai to visit some of the world's most prestigious publishers and agencies. At each site, students will attend press conferences with media practitioners to discuss news culture and practice in Hong Kong. How is journalism practiced here? What are the differences between Asian and international news outlets in coverage of local, regional and global political and economic developments? What journalistic models thrive amid the sweep of technological, industrial and social changes affecting Asia and the broader news industry? Why have global companies such as CNN, Time, BBC International and Bloomberg made Hong Kong their 'home away from home'? And how might this city offer journalists a unique window onto the global influence of China?

Students will draw from scholarly and popular literature, their immersive field-school experience and press conference interviews to complete their own media feature article on a key issue relating to news practice, culture and/or coverage in Hong Kong.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate a sound understanding of the organisation and culture of Asian and international news outlets operating in Hong Kong;
  2. demonstrate an advanced understanding of the concept of global journalism, and how the Hong Kong news hub transgresses and transcends the traditional domestic v. foreign news dichotomy;
  3. demonstrate an ability to identify and research a media feature story and conduct primary interviews on location;
  4. demonstrate an ability to write in a clear, concise, factual way using featureconventions;
  5. take appropriate photographs and caption them to complement a story;
  6. collaborate constructively with fellow students in learning and discussion processes, including online forums;
  7. produce written work and oral presentations to deadline, making effective use of the conventions of scholarly presentation;
  8. have confidence in approaching and working with individuals and organisations in news media industries.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 288 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

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