JN5004 - News-gathering Techniques

Credit points:	03
Year:	2007
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	Discipline of Journalism

This subject introduces students to the writing and information-gathering techniques fundamental to journalistic practice. They analyse reports on such matters as local, state and national politics; science and technology; education; health and issues relating to the arts, using both traditional sources and the Internet. The art of interviewing is integral to the subject. Graduate students attend the introductory lectures, but are expected to produce copy exhibiting the generic skills and, where appropriate, the specialist knowledge of a graduate student.

Learning Outcomes

• to develop research and investigative skills;
• to gather information effectively and ethically;
• to learn interviewing skills;
• to shape information into news stories.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• The ability to use and interpret different media;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to use a variety of media and methods to retrieve, analyse, evaluate, organise and present information;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning processes and products;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:

IA1004 and JN1004

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 31-Aug-2007
Coord/Lect:	Dr Lindsay Simpson.
Contact hours:	13 hours lectures 24 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); assignments (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.