Course Title: Writing Media Texts

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Writing Media Texts

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM2107

City Campus

Undergraduate

335H Applied Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Spring2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Spring2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Spring2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009,
Spring2009

COMM2107

City Campus

Undergraduate

345H Media and Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Spring2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Spring2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Spring2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013,
Spring2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2014,
Spring2014

Course Coordinator: Liam Ward

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3742

Course Coordinator Email: liam.b.ward@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment - please email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.


Course Description

This course is designed to provide you with a foundation of knowledge for expression across a range of media forms, broadly divided into the areas of text, sound, image, and moving image. You will begin to become familiar with the particular affordances and syntax of each of these media forms.

The study and discussion of creativity is central to this course and you will be asked to explore your own creative and learning practice. This will be achieved through class discussion as well as a number of creativity exercises.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

In this course you will develop the following program capabilities:

 

I.    initiate, produce and evaluate media projects
II.   communicate your ideas effectively through the creative and critical use of relevant media platforms
III.  reflect upon, direct and evaluate your own learning 


Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:
 

  1. compare and contrast similarities and differences in the nature of writing across different media forms.
  2. identify the storytelling qualities of sound, still and moving image and demonstrate creative experimentation with these.
  3. describe, analyse and evaluate creative choices in an individual and group context.
  4. demonstrate basic competencies in the operation of a range of technologies used for the purpose of writing in sound, image and moving image.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be required to engage with and explore your writing practice utilizing a range of media forms as modes of expression.

You will be keep a JOURNAL-PORTFOLIO, in which you document your often self-directed creative practice and learning activities as well as selected class activities.

This JOURNAL-PORTFOLIO should also be a place where you reflect on and discuss the various aspects of writing across a range of media forms. It must include entries that demonstrate active engagement with the course readings available online.

You will also explore some of the theoretical and technical concerns associated with writing across a number of forms. This will be done through the practical application and development of technical and creative competencies.

You will participate in class in individual and group practice exercises that aim to develop your storytelling skills in different media forms. 

Out of class time you will be expected to complete and document in your JOURNAL-PORTFOLIO additional creative exercises including a showcase artefact for each of the audio, still image and moving image sections of the course that demonstrates your cumulative learning around each media form.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

A digital dossier of Course Readings will be provided on-line, available through the myRMIT Studies portal (Blackboard).

You will also be able to access resources such as cameras, audio recorders and tripods from the School of Media & Communication Technical Store in building 9 level 1.

You will also need to procure signed bookings forms from your tutor, or another teacher in the course, prior to booking the gear and are expected to adhere to the terms of conditions of use. 

Security swipe card access is required to access all rooms in building 9. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the courses learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities that are addressed in this particular course (see Capability Development above).

The assessment in this course consists of two separate submissions of a Journal-Portfolio containing written work and media artefacts as well as a Practical Test.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks (this feedback may be conveyed face-to-face or sent electronically via email at the end of semester).

Assessment is designed to develop your ability to employ the creative & technical strategies presented and discussed in the course as well as to comparatively reflect on the issues and processes involved in writing in the different media forms studied.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers. Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document