Students
MMCC8026 – Data Journalism
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor and lecturer
Margie Borschke
Contact via Please use the contact teaching staff on ilearn
Tuesdays, By appointment via Zoom or phone
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MMediaComm or MCrInd
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit focuses on innovative approaches to finding, reporting, producing and interacting with media stories through basic data analysis and data visualization. Students will critically analyse and gain practical experience in finding data-sets, using data-driven reporting techniques and producing effective and informative visualisations. The unit also covers user experience, interactivity and the rhetorical use of big and small data in media practice. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: analyse the practice of data journalism, its products (including visualizations and interactive reporting) and its history.
- ULO2: demonstrate an advanced knowledge of how to gather, analyse and interpret data as a journalist.
- ULO3: apply advanced reporting and storytelling techniques to find and produce stories that inform, educate and entertain.
- ULO4: evaluate and analyse new literacies in journalism.
- ULO5: situate the focus on data and visualization within debates about journalism and its social function.
General Assessment Information
- How to submit: All Assessment to be submitted via the online submission/Turnitin box on iLearn. NO physical submissions or emails please.
- What to submit: Submit your assessment as a single Word document or PDF.
- Standards and Assessment Criteria: The assessment criteria and standards expected will be detailed in the assessment instructions and the Grademark rubric, both available on iLearn in the relevant Assessment section. There will also be many opportunities to discuss these standards and examples of relevant and related assessment tasks during class time.
- SPECIAL CONSIDERATION & Late Penalties Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved by the Faculty of Arts https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.
- This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration was made and approved.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing Project | 40% | No | 31/08/2020 23:59 |
| Data Visualization in Context | 60% | No | 02/11/2020 23:59 |
Writing Project
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 31/08/2020 23:59
Weighting: 40%
This project contains two set exercises and a scholarly introduction that contextualises your work within key debates and discussions from the set readings and seminar content. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- analyse the practice of data journalism, its products (including visualizations and interactive reporting) and its history.
- demonstrate an advanced knowledge of how to gather, analyse and interpret data as a journalist.
- apply advanced reporting and storytelling techniques to find and produce stories that inform, educate and entertain.
- evaluate and analyse new literacies in journalism.
- situate the focus on data and visualization within debates about journalism and its social function.
Data Visualization in Context
Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 02/11/2020 23:59
Weighting: 60%
This portfolio contains three original data visualisations and an reflective essay. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- analyse the practice of data journalism, its products (including visualizations and interactive reporting) and its history.
- demonstrate an advanced knowledge of how to gather, analyse and interpret data as a journalist.
- apply advanced reporting and storytelling techniques to find and produce stories that inform, educate and entertain.
- evaluate and analyse new literacies in journalism.
- situate the focus on data and visualization within debates about journalism and its social function.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
- REQUIRED READINGS AND OTHER MEDIA: Please consult the ilearn site for a schedule of weekly readings and media. All readings will be available via the Macquarie library (Follow the Leganto link) or freely available online links accessible via Leganto or links on iLearn.
- Seminars commence in week 2. You may register to participate online or on campus. All classroom activities including group discussions will take place online regardless of your chosen mode of attendance.
- Please bring your own laptop and headphones to participate in learning activities.
- Some weeks we will be sketching visualization ideas--you will require paper and pens, markers, pencils (whatever you have handy).
- You may be required to download free data visualisation software for class exercises--you will be advised about this in the week prior to the class.
- Please check your student email frequently to stay informed about necessary changes to the delivery mode due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.