UO Journalism Theory and Practice

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your study will be 100% online
100% online
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
JOUR 2007
Course ID icon
Course ID
203996
Campus icon
Campus
Online
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Comm, Media and Jour
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Lachlan Parker
Course level icon
Course level
2
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

The aim of this course is to extend and apply students' knowledge of theories and concepts of the processes and challenges that journalists, news organisations and audiences encounter in the current news media landscape. Students will explore concepts on how power moves through media organisations impacting the journalist and audiences, gaining an understanding of the political economy and editorial independence. They will develop an understanding of the connection between power structures and power relationships in journalistic organisations.

Students will be introduced to journalism as a ‘cultural practice' in relation to other cultural institutions which influence public opinion, and introduced to theories such as journalism as a ‘commodity' and ‘autonomous consciousness'. They will become familiar with practices relating to the reporting of indigenous affairs, an understanding how news is framed, the limited coverage of issues, and the limitations and constraints faced by journalists.

Course learning outcomes

  • examine the influence and impact of political economy within journalistic organisations
  • analyse journalism as a particular type of 'cultural practice' and how it, and its influence on public opinion, have evolved and shifted with the advent of new technologies
  • identify and analyse the practices relating to the reporting of indigenous affairs

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 17/07/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 10/07/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 31/07/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 14/08/2026

Class details

Online

Class number
Class number 3088
Section
Section 01OL
Size
Size 500
Available
Available 499
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Online ,
Notes:
This course is only for students studying 100% online programs

Prerequisite(s)

  • must have completed all of JOUR1010 UO Emerging Media Contexts/JOUR1012 UO Journalism: Principles and Practices

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed COMM2105 UO Journalism Theory and Practice at the University of South Australia

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.

Degree list
The following degrees include this course