CJB305 Longform News Production
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: | CJB305 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | CJB105 or CJB203. CJB105 or CJB203 can be enrolled in the same teaching period as CJB305. |
| Antirequisite(s): | CJB302 |
| 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: | CJB305 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CJB105 or CJB203. CJB105 or CJB203 can be enrolled in the same teaching period as CJB305. |
| Anti-requisite: | CJB302 |
| Coordinator: | Aljosha Karim Schapals | aljosha.schapals@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Longform journalism continues to evolve on a range of platforms, with digital media tools providing exciting storytelling possibilities, including podcasts and multimedia features. This unit provides an opportunity for students to apply their advanced journalistic skills in producing longform non-fiction content, using a combination of text, visuals, audio and video. You will learn how to generate story ideas and news angles, and select the most appropriate format for telling stories. You will then use research, interviewing and production skills to produce engaging content, including multimedia feature articles, audio and video, and podcasts. This unit also provides opportunities for reflection and constructive critique of your work. The unit aids you in producing credible non-fiction content in a dynamic and appealing style, applying skills that are transferable to areas outside journalism. It also provides awareness of the market for longform non-fiction content.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate ability to use appropriate theories and research methodologies to produce inclusive longform non-fiction content for a range of audiences.
- Demonstrate critical digital media skills across diverse platforms and technologies, to identify and apply appropriate storytelling tools for producing engaging content.
- Identify and access publication opportunities for work produced.
Content
This unit will cover the following topics:
- Critically analysing and addressing platform and content-specific requirements for news production, adapting content accordingly.
- Producing quality longform content in text, audio and visual mediums for a range of platforms.
- Deploying creative non-fiction techniques, incorporating elements such as anecdotes, quotations / interview excerpts, description, sound effects, and graphics as appropriate.
- Employing journalism skills and research techniques, including interviewing primary sources, the appropriate searching of other media sources, and use of the internet.
- Reflecting on and constructively critiquing your own research and writing.
- Locating outlets to maximise publication opportunities
Learning Approaches
Your learning in this unit will involve participation in lectures, tutorials and self-study. Guests, including practicing journalists, may be involved in the program through guest lectures. Tutorials build on material covered in lectures and will replicate workplace environments to provide students with an authentic and applied experience of newswriting. 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
Through the semester you will have the opportunity to receive oral and/or written feedback on drafts of feature 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
- individually, on assessment grading forms.
Assessment
Overview
You will be assessed in two key ways in this unit: through a major piece of creative work combining words and visuals in a multi-media feature package (Assessment item #1 and #2), and through a written portfolio (#3) of other work that you undertook throughout the semester in parallel with the longform story, and which demonstrates your understanding of key unit concepts, and support provided to your peers.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Longform story plan
For this assignment you will submit a detailed outline of your planned longform story, including structure and format of the eventual submission. Feedback on this assignment will inform your major story, which is due at the end of the semester.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Longform news story
For your creative work, you will be required to write a long-form multi-media work (e.g. multimedia feature article, podcast, or a series of audio / video current affairs packages) on a topic of your own selection after consultation with staff. Rewriting is part of this assessment.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Reflective portfolio
For this assessment you will be required to submit a portfolio of material that you will have worked on over the course of the semester, which demonstrates your understanding of unit concepts, support that you have shown for other students in the unit, a reflection on your experience, and other tasks required as part of the process of developing your longform news story.
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
Required Texts
You will also need to access the unit Canvas website for required and recommended texts.
Required Resources
Relevant online readings will be posted as required.
You are provided with portable sound recorders and digital cameras where needed.
You will use Adobe Creative Cloud software and Audacity to complete assessment.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Burum, I. (2021). The MOJO handbook : theory to praxis. London: Routledge.
Graham, C and Ricketson, M. (2017) Writing Feature Stories: How to Research and Write Articles – from Listicles to Longform, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest.
Reference book(s)
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
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC40 Bachelor of Communication
- 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 - 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 - Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2 - 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 - 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: ULO2 - Create authentic and professional-quality communication outputs that reflect an application of academic content, critical thinking skills, and social awareness.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3 - Identify, develop, and sustain effective professional networks in the media and communication industries.
Relates to: ULO3