Course Title: Journalism Technologies

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Journalism Technologies

Credit Points: 24

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM2653

City Campus

Undergraduate

345H Media and Communication

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018

Course Coordinator: Mr Gordon Farrer

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5022

Course Coordinator Email: gordon.farrer@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 9 Level 4 Room 57

Course Coordinator Availability: Please check with course coordinator


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

BP220 Students: Successful completion of COMM2657 Understanding Journalism and COMM2654 Journalism Ethics Law and Regulation
BP222 Students: Successful completion of COMM2654 Journalism Ethics Law and Regulation

OR

Alternatively you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course. Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. Further information: Credit at RMIT


Course Description

In this course you will develop the digital literacy to produce journalism across multiple platforms. Through the introduction and examination of a range of devices, applications and theory, the course focuses on the use of communication techniques in the digital environment. The course will introduce data journalism, information management, basic code, deep search and search engine optimisation techniques. It will enable you to critically evaluate the tools available to produce outstanding journalism. Using sound, vision and a variety of digital elements, you will produce effective, ethical multimedia journalism.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

This course aligns with the following Program Learning Outcomes:   
  • Develop practical, and technical skills to quickly adapt to current and future changes in the industry 
  • Apply a body of theoretical and practical knowledge and specific skills in media and communication, particularly in journalism in which to base your professional practice or future study
  •  Demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and innovation when identifying and solving problems in diverse contexts within the discipline of journalism
  • Communicate using diverse formats and strategies to audiences within and external to your discipline
  For students enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication - Professional Communication (BP222), you will develop the following program learning outcomes:  
  • Plan, produce and evaluate innovative content, optimizing uses of technology that meets the needs of diverse stakeholders in an international environment
  • Demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and innovation when identifying and solving problems in diverse contexts within the professional communication field
  • Communicate using diverse formats and strategies to audiences within and external to your discipline.


Course Learning Outcomes 

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

  • Analyse the theoretical issues surrounding the impact of the internet and digital tools on journalism and discuss future trends in newsroom practice.
  • Write, report and gather news across a variety of new and emerging platforms.
  • Critically apply digital knowledge and professional skills to enable you to work in a converged, multi-media newsroom.
  • Incorporate images, sound, data and graphic elements in multimedia journalism.
  • Apply information management techniques across a range of digital material.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in learning that involves a range of activities such as studios, project work, lectures, tutorials, class discussion, individual and group activities.


Overview of Learning Resources

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

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.

The University Library has extensive resources for Journalism students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies: http://rmit.libguides.com/journalism

The Library provides guides on academic referencing: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. Assessment may include reports, reflective papers, creative projects and presentations, individually and in groups. Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

 

ASSESSMENT TASKS

Assessment 1: Data Journalism (20%)

This assessment will cover the following course learning outcomes:

  • Write, report and gather news across a variety of new and emerging platforms.
  • Critically apply digital knowledge and professional skills to enable you to work in a converged, multi-media newsroom.
  • Incorporate images, sound, data and graphic elements in multimedia journalism.

 

Assessment 2: Fact-Checking Your Mother (30%)

This assessment will cover the following course learning outcomes:

  • Write, report and gather news across a variety of new and emerging platforms.
  • Critically apply digital knowledge and professional skills to enable you to work in a converged, multi-media newsroom.
  • Incorporate images, sound, data and graphic elements in multimedia journalism.
  • Apply information management techniques across a range of digital material.

 

Assessment 3: Collaborative Journalism (40%)

This assessment will cover the following course learning outcomes:

  • Write, report and gather news across a variety of new and emerging platforms.
  • Critically apply digital knowledge and professional skills to enable you to work in a converged, multi-media newsroom.
  • Incorporate images, sound, data and graphic elements in multimedia journalism.
  • Apply information management techniques across a range of digital material.

 

Assessment 4: Blog posts (10%)

This assessment will cover the following course learning outcomes:

  • Write, report and gather news across a variety of new and emerging platforms.
  • Critically apply digital knowledge and professional skills to enable you to work in a converged, multi-media newsroom.
  • Incorporate images, sound, data and graphic elements in multimedia journalism.
  • Apply information management techniques across a range of digital material.