In pairs, produce a 5-6 minute audio Review Programme. The reviewed item might be a radio programme (magazine, talk or specialist talk, feature or discussion program) an episode of 'Q&A' (ABC TV), or produced and well distributed podcast (preferably with a talk emphasis or a strong feature). The Review Programme should describe, contextualise and analyse the item using relevant tools from your study of radio/audio broadcast journalism. It should take the form of a dialogue in which each person brings their independent analysis to the conversation in a way that is incisive, informative and entertaining.

50 per cent of the marks will be allocated in assessment of the independent contribution of each student. The remaining 50 will be in assessment of the Programme as a whole.

For the programme, consider the following and decide whether to include:

• Platform: radio/podcast/television
• Organisational context: public service, community radio, commercial station, independent broadcaster, podcast network, etc
• Date of broadcast or first availability
• Genre: current affairs, talkback/discussion, interview/s, documentary/'feature', comedy, drama/performance, etc
• Programming context: regular offering, or a one off special? For example:

           - ABC Triple J "Hack", national youth current affairs program, regular daily

           - "RadioLab": American NPR specialist podcast and syndicated program available on....online site includes...

          - ABC RN "Breakfast" or ABC Local Radio Sydney "Drive" show: daily current affairs and talk show with multiple items, single host with  commentators and journalists input

          - FBi or RN styled feature: highly pre-produced, demonstrates research, high level scriptwriting, use of sound to tell story, experiential etc

           - duo or single hosts show (various styles), with short features and/or interview content etc.

• Programme and/or genre history
• Target audience, ways it engages with its audience
• ‘Value adding’ it achieves through its online presence
• Any other features that are important in your view

Analysis: While paying attention to the format/context of the station where your chosen program is broadcast, comment on the content, style, and genre of the program. Note the kinds of voices heard, the arguments or content and how this is expressed or developed. How effectively is the story told, and is it a story you think worth communicating to the program's target audience? Why was it so engaging or significant? Here, you might comment on the voiced story including the impact of narrators/hosts/reporters; the scripting, editing and structure; the placement/types of sound used (such as any music or actuality sound and why this works or not); the quality/choice of interviewees, the content or interest these generate for the whole piece. If any other things are significant mention and discuss these. Somewhere in the analysis you should comment on how the program succeeds (or not) in delivering its content, engaging its listeners, or speaking to its imagined audience(s) or communities, and what you learnt from listening to this program, especially in relation to your role as a radio producer. Here you are asked to give your view; however, support your arguments using referenced articles, or quality commentary. Use articles from quality media and academic scholarship where available.

If you choose to analyse one episode of ABC TV's "Q&A", or a similar program on radio or TV (containing a forum or live debate) here are some points to consider in your review programme: 

• How is/are the topic/s managed?
• Comment on the role of any compere, the kinds of questions asked, the balance (or not) of perspectives aired, the variety/diversity or not of guests and their answers in relation to the line of questioning.
• Is there usage of 'Devil's Advocate' questioning by the compere?

Documentation: in order to assess your individual mark, you are required to submit a folio of the planning, preparation and research materials that you used for the review. This might include:

• A script
• A programme plan or rundown
• questions you have formulated to test your partner’s analysis
• minutes of meetings between you and your partner
• journal notes of your personal reflections and observations through the pre-production and production process
• your research notes including references
• examples of review programmes you have watched and/or listened to (reference these appropriately also)

This is not an essay. You can submit notes but they need to be coherent and you must supply accurate in- and end-text references where appropriate. Some of the content may be similar or the same as your partner’s (e.g. scripts, rundowns) but be sure to document your individual thoughts and contributions.

Due: Audio is to be submitted to the assignment drop box and be available to play in class by your tute week 6.

Folio paperwork to be submitted via Turnitin (accessible on iLearn) by Friday April 6.

Criteria for assessment

• Engaging, informative, original content: including scripting and structure
• Skills in sound recording, editing and mixing
• Quality of critical analysis
• Quality and relevance of research
• Quality of the planning and preparation documentation
• Evidence of equitable contribution to the programme
• Accuracy of in- and end-text referencing

This second assignment offers the opportunity to pre-produce audio content (maximum 7 minutes) for the third assignment, the themed* live broadcast. These can be in the form of:

• a documentary or current affairs style feature;
• a radio drama or comedic piece;
• audio collage/more creative exploration of the theme; or

• other audio elements by negotiation with the tutor.

Working singularly or in pairs is permissible. The recommendation is that you work in pairs but divide up workload and tasks equitably. When working in group work, 50% of your mark for this task will be determined individually.

Each student should submit a separate reflection, indicating their contribution to the piece they made and reflections on their activities and workload. This should include any problems encountered and lessons learnt. Include scholarly references and audio examples that have influenced your work. The required length for this reflection is 1000 words.

• Themes will be discussed in tutes and decided on or before week 5.

Due: In the week 8 tute you’re required to present a maximum 5 minute progress report on your work.

Due: Audio is to be mixed in the booth and submitted to the assignment drop box and be available to play in class by your tute week 11.

All paperwork/Cue sheet and Reflection to be submitted via Turnitin (accessible on iLearn) by Friday May 25.

Criteria for assessment

Audio content:

• Audience engagement (how does it pull audience in and connect with audience)
• Complexity of information and portrayals (interplay between content/research and form/audio medium)
• Craft and artistry (use of sound, mix of sound, scripting, pacing)
• Technical quality
• Individual and team contribution
• Suitability to the theme

(Some of these criteria are taken from RadioDoc Review: http://ro.uow.edu.au/rdr/policies.html)

Reflection:

• the ability to critically engage with one’s own work (i.e. Identify strengths and areas for improvement. Consider specific strategies for improvement and further developing strengths.);
• applying theory to practice;
• clear and concise writing style;
• accuracy of in- and end-text referencing.

Students will co-produce a themed, three hour live radio show to be broadcast on 2SER in week 14. The show will include a Q&A forum in the second hour (reminiscent of the television panel discussion programme Q&A, broadcast on ABC television and hosted by journalist Tony Jones).

Your mark is based on your individual performance in your role for the live production. Documentation supporting your contribution to the class/team broadcast will be required. You will need to regularly update others of progress in your role, either using iLearn, email or other kinds of electronic communication. Best practice is to keep a journal updating it with regular comments and reflections on your role and content produced for the show, and showing deadlines. This 'production diary' – making final comments on the success of your program and some of the key things you have learnt – should be kept from Week 7 and be submitted to your Tutor as supporting evidence of your participation. The diary may include scanned hand-written notes, cut and pasted typed text and photos from digital documents and sources, and be presented in a digital Visual Diary/journal format. (Check with tutor for any variations to this.)

Submit your production diary, via Turnitin, by the Friday week 14, June 15.

A further note on Roles: The necessary roles will be assessed and assigned in class and allocated on or before Week 5. You will be elected to a role or will have the chance to volunteer for a specific task.

*The theme for the live broadcast will be negotiated in class and needs to be agreed by your tutor.

Criteria for assessment

• Perform independently and collaboratively in production processes to produce audio and/or online content to a high standard;
• Develop and perform professional work practices in areas such as time-keeping, meeting deadlines, professional etiquette, personal organisation and care of equipment;
• Respond effectively and efficiently to a high pressure working environment;
• Reflect-in-action and reflect-on-action to reveal new insights about your own practice;
• Work effectively in a team environment (completing required tasks on time and doing a fair share of the work overall).