Students

MMCC1008 – Introduction to Podcasting

2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor & Lecturer
Helen Wolfenden
helen.wolfenden@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
10HA 193E
Email for an appointment
Senior Technical Support
Ben Nash
ben.nash@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
10HA 170
Email for an appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit you will be introduced to both the narrative and technical tools of audio storytelling. The unit will explore podcasting as a new form of spoken-word audio identifying both the continuities and divergences from precursors like radio and other allied media genres. This unit has a significant practical component and culminates in the production of a podcast episode. There is a particular focus on the requirements of producing content for the ear.

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: identify the principles and techniques underlying contemporary spoken word audio production and practices.
  • ULO2: apply practice and production skills.
  • ULO3: communicate using appropriate styles and techniques for spoken word audio.
  • ULO4: evaluate practices, production, technologies and techniques used to create podcasts

General Assessment Information

Please note that the University and the Faculty of Arts have launched a new assessment policy effective as of 1 July 2021. This new policy particularly affects LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS.

The Faculty policy in relation to late assessment submissions is as follows:

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests, etc.

To be very clear:

  • Unless you have applied for special consideration and had your application approved, for each day your assignment is late, 10 marks will be deducted. For example, if you submit your assignment 7 days late, 70 marks will be deducted, which means you will fail that assignment.
  • If your assignment is more than 7 days late (including weekends), you will get 0 for your assignment.

These are serious penalties that will substantially alter your final grade and even determine whether you pass or fail this unit. Please make every effort to submit your assignment by the due date.

If you find you cannot submit your assignment on time, please apply for Special Consideration through AskMQ. Make sure you read Macquarie University's policy regarding Special Consideration requests before you apply: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Quizzes 15% No 16:00, Friday, Fortnightly
Practice-based Task 35% No 16:00 03/09/2021
Media Presentation: Podcast Episode 50% No 16:00 25/10/2021

Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 16:00, Friday, Fortnightly
Weighting: 15%

 

Quizzes will be based on listenings/readings.

Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify the principles and techniques underlying contemporary spoken word audio production and practices.
  • evaluate practices, production, technologies and techniques used to create podcasts

Practice-based Task

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 16:00 03/09/2021
Weighting: 35%

 

Students develop a podcast concept.

Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify the principles and techniques underlying contemporary spoken word audio production and practices.
  • apply practice and production skills.
  • evaluate practices, production, technologies and techniques used to create podcasts

Media Presentation: Podcast Episode

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 16:00 25/10/2021
Weighting: 50%

 

Students work in groups to produce a podcast episode.

Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify the principles and techniques underlying contemporary spoken word audio production and practices.
  • apply practice and production skills.
  • communicate using appropriate styles and techniques for spoken word audio.
  • evaluate practices, production, technologies and techniques used to create podcasts

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

This unit uses lectures and tutorials. Technical instruction is via LinkedIn Learning.

Please Note: Lectures and tutorials commence in week 1. Please attend all classes. 

Ben Nash, Senior Technical Demonstrator, will be providing limited assistance.

During this unit you will have access to the Adobe Creative Cloud DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) Audition. Training for Audition is via LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) and you can access all their online training videos via the library: https://libguides.mq.edu.au/linkedinlearning. The course for this unit is called Audition CC 2019 Essential Training and is available here: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/audition-cc-2019-essential-training/discover-adobe-audition-2019?u=2126025 Note that it takes a film based approach to the software but it still delivers a comprehensive guide to using Audition. Feel free to skip the sections relating specifically to Premiere Pro if you prefer. Please allocate at least one hour a week to access the training and practicing your technical skills. 

iLearn is a major component of this unit. Please refer to iLearn frequently and undertake the quizes, readings/listenings and activities. It is very important to check announcements on iLearn regularly. 

EQUIPMENT

Please ensure that your computer has adequate RAM and space to run the DAW and store your audio files. 

Recommended: one set of good quality closed or semi-closed headphones. 

REQUIRED READING

A selection of readings and listenings are detailed on iLearn.

Readings/listenings are accessed via Leganto http://libguides.mq.edu.au/leganto

NOTE that you MUST access Leganto via the block in iLearn in the first instance. This is how the system verifies you as a student in this unit.

Students should draw on at least two sources for their written reflections, required in the documentation portion of the assessments.

Recommended Readings

Abel, Jessica. 2015. Out on the Wire: The Storytelling Secrets of the New Masters of Radio. Penguin Random House.

Alten, Stanley. Audio in Media. 10th Edition, Belmont CA: 2013 (The bible of audio production for those really serious about sound.)

Biewen, John. Reality radio: telling true stories in sound, Durham, 2017

Crook, Tim. The Sound Handbook. London. Routledge 2012

Emm, Adèle. Researching for the media: television, radio and journalism, London; New York 2014.

Frangi, Anthony. Radio toolbox: everything you need to get started in broadcasting.  Palgrave Macmillan 2012.

Geller, Valerie. Beyond Powerful radio: a communicator's guide to the Internet age. Belmont CA: 2006.

Keeble, Richard. Ethics for Journalists. London & New York, 2008

Kern, Jonathon. Sound Reporting: the NPR Guide to audio journalism and production, Chicago: 2008

Lingren, Mia, and Philips,Gail. Australian Broadcast Journalism. 3rd Ed. Oxford Uni Press: 2013.

Loviglio, Jason & Hilmes, Michele (Eds) Radio's New Wave: Global Sound in the Digital Age, Routledge: 2013.

McLeish, Robert. Radio Production, 6th Edition, Oxford: 2016

Nuzum, Eric. Make Noise: A Creator's Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling, Workman Publishing Company, New York: 2019.

Talbot-Smith, Michael. Sound Assistance. London: 1999

Journals of relevance (via library/electronically available)

The Radio Journal: international studies in broadcast and audio media, (UK/international).

Journal of Radio and Audio Media, (USA)

Radiodoc Review: online journal reviewing documentary radio/audio (international) http://ro.uow.edu.au/rdr/

Podcasts

New podcasts are popping up all the time. Some good ones are:

Australian: The ABC has many! https://www.abc.net.au/radio/podcasts/ Listen to a variety. You might like to try Earshot, Patient Zero, The Eleventh, Sum of All Parts, Trace, Conversations or Off Track.

Also see the full list of finalists from the Australian Podcast Awards: https://australianpodcastawards.com/

Community radio: FBi's All The Best https://fbiradio.com/podcast/all-the-best/ is very much the model for our us. 2SER also has some great podcasts https://2ser.com/podcasts/.

International: From USA: Radiotopia, Serial, S-Town, This American Life, Freakonomics, Radiolab, Out on the Wire, StoryCorps, Radio Rookies, The Truth, The New Yorker Radio Hour, HowSound, From Our Own Correspondent, Third Coast International Audio Festival, Home of the Brave, The Heart, Love + Radio, Death, Sex & Money, 99% Invisible. Also try The Kitchen Sisters programs/projects (Davia Nelson & Nikki Silva are award winning producers based in USA http://www.kitchensisters.org)

UK: BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts; The Next Episode, Pieces of Britney, The BBC Academy (especially the Podcastology episodes), Forest 404 and many more! Also check out he latest audio productions from print publications like The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/podcasts.

Web radios and audio sites of interest

Arte-Radio (in French: radio arm of European cultural channel) https://www.arteradio.com/

American Public Radio Works https://www.apmreports.org/

Australian Broadcasting Corporation http://www.abc.net.au

ABC Editorial policies https://edpols.abc.net.au/policies/

ABC Earshot (main ABC features and documentaries program) http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/earshot/

ABC Correspondents Report http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/correspondentsreport/

ABC Local Radio: http://www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/

ABC Radio Australia http://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/

ABC Radio Eye (Features & Docs - archive) http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/archived/radioeye/

ABC RN http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/

ABC Triple J: http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/

All the Best from FBi Radio: storytelling and short docos https://fbiradio.com/podcast/all-the-best/

Australian Communications and Media Authority https://www.acma.gov.au/

BBC Radio https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/

ABC Newsradio: http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/

University web radio in UK http://www.birst.co.uk/

Commercial Radio Australia http://www.commercialradio.com.au/

Community Broadcasters Association https://www.cbaa.org.au/

World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters http://www.amarceurope.eu/

FBi Radio https://fbiradio.com/

2GB https://www.2gb.com/

The Heard a collection of independent podcast producers http://www.theheardradio.com/

Kitchen Sisters programs/projects (Davia Nelson & Nikki Silva are award winning producers

based in USA) http://www.kitchensisters.org/

NOVA https://www.nova969.com.au/nova969

National Public Radio (USA) https://www.npr.org/

NPR Training http://training.npr.org/

NPR Interns radio https://www.npr.org/about-npr/181881227/want-to-be-an-npr-intern

New Radio and Performing Arts (archive) http://www.somewhere.org/

Radioinfo (subscribe to keep in touch with latest jobs etc in Australia) https://radioinfo.com.au/

Radio Lab (much more than a science radio show - highly recommended for its creative approach) https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/radiolab/

Radio-Locator https://radio-locator.com/

Radiotopia curated set of podcasts, USA https://www.radiotopia.fm/

Resonance FM https://www.resonancefm.com/

SBS Radio https://www.sbs.com.au/radio/

2SER https://2ser.com/

Serial Podcast cult podcast based on re-examination of murder case  https://serialpodcast.org/

Sirius satellite radio https://www.siriusxm.com/

Story Corps (USA) https://storycorps.org/listen/?collection=sound-portraits

SYN community station, based in Melbourne, under 25s http://syn.org.au

Third Coast Radio Festival https://www.thirdcoastfestival.org/

This American Life show https://www.thisamericanlife.org/

Transom: a showcase & workshop for new public radio (very useful to students) http://www.transom.org/

UBU Web radio http://www.ubu.com/sound/radio_radio/index.html

2UE http://www.2ue.com.au/

UN Radio https://news.un.org/en/audio-hub

Hearing Voices USA "best of Public radio" Hearing Voices http://www.hearingvoices.com/

The Public Radio Exchange (PRX) is a nonprofit web-based platform for digital distribution,

review, and licensing of radio programs. https://www.prx.org/

The Wire http://www.thewire.org.au/

WNYC New York public radio station with live performance space http://www.wnyc.org/

World Radio Network http://www.wrn.com

BBC World Service http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio

Student radio sites, radio/journalism competitions and radio resources for learning:

ABC Editorial Policies http://www.abc.net.au/corp/pubs/edpols.htm

ABC Careers http://www.abc.net.au/careers/

Southern Cross Austereo Careers http://www.scacareers.com.au/

BBC Academy Podcast: Your guide to everything from editorial and craft skills to taking your next

step in the industry. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02pc9zz/episodes/downloads

BBC Academy http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/en

BBC Academy Journalism http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/journalism

BBC Academy Production http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production

BBC School Report (journalism training) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport

BBC Schools Radio Journalism http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/school_report/5275764.stm

Bournemouth University, UK http://www.birst.co.uk/

Deutsche Welle Radio https://www.dw.com/en/radio/s-32771

Goldsmiths MA in Radio https://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/ma-radio/

Griffith University Audio Journalism http://livewirez.wordpress.com/

Ira Glass on storytelling (part 1 of 4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pFI9UuC_fc

NEXT radio - future of radio http://nextrad.io/

RMIT http://emedia.rmit.edu.au/smpl/roar

Online radio journalism tute (USA) http://www.newscript.com/

NPR Interns https://www.npr.org/about-npr/181881227/want-to-be-an-npr-intern

Reporters sans frontiers https://rsf.org/en

SALT Institute (USA) http://www.salt.edu/

Young Journo Awards http://www.youngjournalistawards.org.au/

Reuters Handbook of Journalism: http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php/Main_Page

Real time world stats http://www.worldometers.info/ 

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:

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.

Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook