Course overview
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the role, place, power and practice of the western, liberal democratic model of journalism through an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to produce an original work of public interest journalism. This course enables students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the principles, practices, contexts and issues of contemporary Australian journalism. It offers knowledge and skills that enable students to develop an understanding of the purpose and forms of journalism produced in a liberal- and social-democratic system, and what it achieves locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. It covers recent developments in the media and specialist and cross-cultural reporting, such as journalism and Aboriginal people. Students will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of ethical journalistic practice and storytelling, including story sourcing, researching, interviewing, and structuring and writing a public interest feature story.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role and purpose of journalism in western liberal democratic societies
- Develop and apply journalism knowledge and practical skills to source, research, interview for, and write an original public interest feature
- Identify key legal and ethical obligations associated with journalism
- Critically analyse issues in contemporary journalism and construct researched and reasoned arguments on such issues
- Apply the principles of clear, grammatical written expression in accordance with the program's style guide and academic writing and referencing requirements