Students

MMCC8040 – Media Writing and Research

2024 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor/Lecturer
John Potts
john.potts@mq.edu.au
Contact via 0438 772 769
10Ha 165J
Thursday 11-1
Nicole Anderson
nicole.anderson@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MMediaComm or MCrInd or MIC
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Media Project 50% No 17/05/2024
Media Portfolio 50% No 19/04/2024

Media Project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 17/05/2024
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.

Media Portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 19/04/2024
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.

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.

Other required readings are accessible via the university library/Leganto.

Seminar Preparation

Students will be expected to read and critique mainstream news media sites. Refer to iLearn for further information.

Unit Schedule

2-hour seminars commence in Week 2.

A detailed unit schedule is avalable 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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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 2024.01R of the Handbook