CJB105 Shortform News Production

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

Journalists must be able to produce content that engages audiences across a range of formats and platforms. In this unit, you will develop the ability to successfully perform a range of newsgathering activities, including interviewing and live blogging. Drawing on this newsgathering activity, you will produce under ‘real world’ deadlines professional quality audio and video content that is suitable for TV, radio, or digital platforms. You will also apply multimedia skills to produce transmedia content that supports contemporary journalism practices, and create digital communication content that engages and/or persuades audiences. In addition to producing content, you will undertake editorial roles that support successful short form news production, and understand the value of community and collaboration in the multifaceted practice of contemporary journalism.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate professional newsgathering skills that may include interviews, live blogging, desk research, and other forms of information sourcing as appropriate.
2. Use evidence-based decision-making skills to contextually apply knowledge of shortform news production to produce written and/or mediated content that engages a local, national, and/or international audience.
3. Understand shortform news production as a collaborative, dynamic, and multifaceted community of professional practice.
4. Demonstrate effective and persuasive communication skills (written, verbal, and/or mediated).

Content

Learning Approaches

Your learning in this unit will involve participation in lectures, tutorials and self-directed study. Guests, including practicing journalists, may be involved in the unit and participate in guest lectures and other learning scenarios. Tutorials build on material covered in lectures. You will be expected to prepare for tutorials by completing any prescribed reading material before classes. All learning material will be found on Canvas.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Through the semester you will have the opportunity to receive oral and/or written feedback on drafts of your articles. You will also receive feedback in some or all of the following ways:

• through a range of individual and collaborative formative exercises completed in class
• consultation with tutors about concepts and problems
• peer-to-peer exchanges during and out of class
• communications to all students via the unit Blackboard website
• individual feedback via assessment rubrics and the Canvas platform

Assessment

Overview

This assessment will give you practice in producing different types of short form journalism to deadlines. In this unit, you are responsible for the production of audio and video news, as well as additional multimedia content, suitable for TV and radio bulletins and digital platforms. You will also produce a reflective journal in which you critically reflect on the multifaceted nature of contemporary news production, reflect on your contributions to these projects, and identify opportunities for professional development. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: In-class exercises

For this assessment, you will be required to complete a series of in-class assignments, including an interviewing exercise and a running story.

Assessment: Audio/Video and multimedia production

Contribution of content and production activities resulting in a 2–3-minute news package suitable for broadcast on radio, television and online, with additional multimedia content reflecting innovations in contemporary journalism.

This assignment is eligible for the automatic 48-hour extension.

Assessment: Reflective Journal

A critical evaluation of the multifaceted nature of contemporary news production and your own contribution to assessment.

This assignment is eligible for the automatic 48-hour extension.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages.

You will be advised if a unit requires additional mandatory health and safety inductions.  

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Burum, I. (2021). The MOJO handbook : theory to praxis. London: Routledge.

QUT Journalism Style Guide

Other

To enable your full participation in units that utilise virtual learning environments, for example participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required. 

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.

You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Please be advised that this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matters that may be considered confronting, such as certain representations of race, class, gender and violence. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.

Course Learning Outcomes

KC40 Bachelor of Communication

1. Demonstrate capacity to understand and critique the historical, cultural, technological, and regulatory implications of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries.
   Relates to: ULO3, In-class exercises, Audio/Video and multimedia production, Reflective Journal
2. Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, In-class exercises, Audio/Video and multimedia production, Reflective Journal
3. Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply diverse ways of knowing the world in local and global contexts, including Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives.
   Relates to: ULO2, Audio/Video and multimedia production
4. Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, In-class exercises, Audio/Video and multimedia production, Reflective Journal
5. Demonstrate critical digital literacy skills across diverse platforms and technologies, including familiarity with analytic tools to effectively and responsibly interpret data in the media, communication, and news industries.
   Relates to: ULO3, Audio/Video and multimedia production, Reflective Journal
6. Create authentic and professional-quality communication outputs that reflect an application of academic content, critical thinking skills, and social awareness.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, In-class exercises, Audio/Video and multimedia production, Reflective Journal