CJB204 Social Justice and Journalism Ethics
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CJB204 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | ((CJB101 or KJB120) and LWS011) or (CJB101 and LLB101). LWS011 or LLB101 can be enrolled in the same teaching period as CJB204. |
| Equivalent(s): | KJB239 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $2,124 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $996 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,356 |
| International unit fee | $4,668 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | CJB204 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | ((CJB101 or KJB120) and LWS011) or (CJB101 and LLB101). LWS011 or LLB101 can be enrolled in the same teaching period as CJB204. |
| Equivalent: | KJB239 |
| Coordinator: | Jason Sternberg | j.sternberg@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Journalism has a significant influence on the way people see the world, and how they think about their place within it. Journalism therefore has the ability to both address, as well as exacerbate, existing power imbalances that exist in our culture. This unit provides students with a better understanding of these dynamics, and how they can shape their future professional practice in ways that might better account for the structural advantages and disadvantages that different groups (based on gender, sexuality, ethnicity, class and physical ability) face. The unit will introduce students to the professional codes of conduct under which journalists often operate, and how they apply in the Australian context. The unit also provides opportunities for students to explore real-world ethical dilemmas in the media industry, and to work through examples of applied ethical decision-making. In doing so, the unit aims to produce more socially-conscious, ethical journalism practitioners.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Ability to analyse common ethical dilemmas facing journalists in their day-to-day activities and formulate oral and written responses to emerging journalism issues relevant to national and international practice.
- An applied understanding of existing industry codes (e.g. MEAA code of ethics), how they are enacted in the Australian professional context, and how they may impact on future professional practice.
- Understand how journalism practice can contribute to existing power imbalances in society, as well as an ability to find stories that might help to address those problems.
Content
The unit may include:
- Provide a historical understanding of ethics and ethical decision-making.
- Examine how journalism contributes to existing power imbalances in society.
- Study the existing codes of conduct in the media industry, their ability to properly affect how the media industry operates, and how such codes might be improved.
- Examine ethical dilemmas faced by journalists in a day-to-day context, and how those dilemmas can be addressed and negotiated in a practical manner. Address issues of cultural diversity and awareness of cultural competency in reporting.
Learning Approaches
You will learn through lectures, tutorials and self-study. You will be expected to complete any prescribed self-study, including readings out of class, and in preparation for subsequent classes.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive formative feedback from teaching staff on your progress in this unit during tutorials and in-class discussions throughout the semester. You should also look for feedback from your peers as you discuss issues in tutorials, and provide constructive feedback to others in return. In addition, you will receive individual written feedback on your assessment, and there will be generic feedback posted to the unit's Canvas website over the semester.
Assessment
Overview
The learning outcomes are evaluated through two different assessment items. A1 provides an opportunity for you to show your understanding of existing professional cases, and how they apply in relation to the industry codes of conduct. A2 requires you to put your knowledge of journalism’s impact on society to the test, wherein you are required and produce a story that will lift up the voices of socially-marginalised groups in an inclusive and professional manner.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case Study Portfolio
This assignment requires you undertake an analysis of four different real-world cases, and demonstrate your understanding of ethical journalism conduct and relevant professional codes.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: News Story
You are required produce a story that will give voice to a marginalised group in society, taking into account the ethical issues associated with doing so, and an understanding of any relevant cultural competences. You will also reflect on your experience of producing the story, discussing and analysing ethical issues you encountered and how you addressed these.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
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.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, 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
Key resources for the unit can be accessed via the Canvas site for this unit.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Patching, R. & Hirst, M. (2021). Journalism Ethics at the Crossroads: Democracy, Fake News, and the News Crisis. London: Routledge.
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
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC40 Bachelor of Communication
- Demonstrate capacity to understand and critique the historical, cultural, technological, and regulatory implications of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Case Study Portfolio , News Story - 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, ULO3, Case Study Portfolio , News Story - 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: ULO1, Case Study Portfolio - Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Case Study Portfolio , News Story - Critically interrogate the economic and cultural power of digital media, communication, entertainment, and news to make ethical, sustainable, and inclusive contributions to diverse workplaces, communities, and audiences.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Case Study Portfolio , News Story