Students
MMCC8040 – Media Writing and Research
2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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
Bridget Griffen-Foley
Contact via b.foley@mq.edu.au
10HA room 148
Refer to iLearn
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MMediaComm or MCrInd or MIC
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit focuses on the core skills that underpin journalism as a media practice including, reporting and research techniques and approaches to storytelling and representation across media. It also covers critical material on journalism and the contemporary media landscape, including ideals of objectivity, advocacy, and the use and function of news media. |
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: apply advanced reporting, research and writing techniques to produce articles for print and online media.
- ULO2: analyse and discriminate between the various writing styles and reporting techniques for various journalistic mediums.
- ULO3: evaluate and analyse the research material on journalism and media.
- ULO4: identify and evaluate the key concepts underpinning the role of the fourth estate.
- ULO5: evaluate the history of journalism and identify opportunities and challenges for the future of journalism.
General Assessment Information
All assessments must be submitted as single Word documents via the Turnitin link on iLearn. Email and print submissions will not be accepted as per the assessment policy.
Department Policy: "Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (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."
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media Portfolio | 50% | No | 18.00 16/04/21 |
| Media Project | 50% | No | 18.00 31/05/21 |
Media Portfolio
Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 18.00 16/04/21
Weighting: 50%
This task introduces the student to media writing and research. Students will submit a portfolio containing a reflective introduction and three selected examples of production and critical analysis exercises from the prescribed weeks. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply advanced reporting, research and writing techniques to produce articles for print and online media.
- analyse and discriminate between the various writing styles and reporting techniques for various journalistic mediums.
- evaluate and analyse the research material on journalism and media.
- identify and evaluate the key concepts underpinning the role of the fourth estate.
- evaluate the history of journalism and identify opportunities and challenges for the future of journalism.
Media Project
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 18.00 31/05/21
Weighting: 50%
Students will submit a major media project and a research report choosing from genres covered in the unit. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply advanced reporting, research and writing techniques to produce articles for print and online media.
- analyse and discriminate between the various writing styles and reporting techniques for various journalistic mediums.
- evaluate and analyse the research material on journalism and media.
- identify and evaluate the key concepts underpinning the role of the fourth estate.
- evaluate the history of journalism and identify opportunities and challenges for the future of journalism.
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
Seminars commence in Week 2.
Required Reading
Refer to iLearn for details about assigned readings and resources.
There is a prescribed textbook for this unit: Lynette Sheridan Burns, Understanding Journalism (Sage, 3rd edn, 2018). Print and e-books are available for purchase from Booktopia.
Other required readings are accessible via the university library/Leganto or the internet.
Seminar Preparation
Students will be expected to be read and critique mainstream news sites. Refer to iLearn for further information.
Students will sometimes be required to complete "practice tasks" before attending class. These are short assignments and exercises that will help you build your portfolios and skills. Instructions will be announced in class and posted to iLearn. If you miss a class please check iLearn before attending the seminar to ensure you are prepared.
Unit Schedule
2-hour seminars commence in Week 2.
A detailed unit schedule will be available on iLearn.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.
MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics
All students are expected to abide by the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance Journalist
Respect for truth and the public’s right to information are fundamental principles of journalism. Journalists search, disclose, record, question, entertain, comment and remember. They inform citizens and animate democracy. They scrutinise power, but also exercise it, and should be responsible and accountable.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook