APG5642 - Investigative journalism - 2019

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)

Associate Professor Margaret Simons

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Margaret Simons

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • Second semester 2019 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2019 (Online)

Prerequisites

APG5095 or APG5096 or APG5640

Prohibitions

APG4642

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to a set of research and reporting approaches and techniques that enable in-depth investigation. The subject is designed to demonstrate a variety of practical research techniques, especially the use of public records and databases; to explore the relationship of investigative and news reporting; and to assist students to produce in-depth investigations of their own.

Outcomes

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

  1. Recognise what distinguishes investigative journalism from other journalism;
  2. Develop their own ideas for investigative projects;
  3. Utilize advanced skills in finding and interviewing a wide range of sources;
  4. Employ a range of investigative research techniques;
  5. Understand and utilise narrative and presentation techniques appropriate to in-depth journalism;
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of investigative journalism in a democratic society and an appreciation of its practical link to the concept of the 'public right to know'

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