Course Title: Audio-Visual Journalism

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Audio-Visual Journalism

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM2720

City Campus

Postgraduate

345H Media and Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2016,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023

Course Coordinator: Janak Rogers

Course Coordinator Phone: + 61 3 9925 8092

Course Coordinator Email: janak.rogers@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 9 Level 4

Course Coordinator Availability: Please check with course coordinator


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

Successful completion of the following courses:

  • COMM2801 News Reporting
  • COMM2802 Journalism Innovation

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: Apply for Credit


Course Description

This course combines theoretical studies and practice in the rapidly changing genre of audio-visual journalism.

You will explore digital media production and develop the knowledge and skills required to produce audio-visual news and/or current affairs stories. These stories may be purposed for online, live-streaming or broadcast radio and television.

You will also reflect on journalism transitions in general and on your own practice in the evolving media context.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Acquire and apply knowledge of local and international perspectives and issues about contemporary journalism.
  • Work collaboratively to plan and produce journalism projects appropriate to the needs of industry.
  • Critically reflect on your own work to demonstrate autonomy, good judgement and ethical responsibility.


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

  • Critically reflect on the theory and practice of audio-visual journalism and the implications of change.
  • Compare and contrast audio-visual technologies and platforms for news delivery.
  • Apply research, production and presentation skills necessary for developing careers in a multi-media newsroom environment.
  • Compile and produce audio-visual news and current affairs reports for online, streaming and broadcast.
  • Demonstrate your teamwork capabilities in a deadline-driven news environment.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in learning that involves a range of activities such as project work, 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 at http://rmit.libguides.com/mjsm.

The Library provides guides on academic referencing: http://www.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.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

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 Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: Assessment
 

Assessment Tasks

Portfolio (40%)

You will choose and research a topic and produce an audio news story in the three styles of broadcast (words, grab and voice report); one audio CAFF (current affairs) story (at least two talent); and one audio-visual cut news story (at least two talent).

This assessment will cover the following course learning outcomes:

  • Apply research, production and presentation skills necessary for developing careers in a multi-media newsroom environment.
  • Compile and produce audio-visual news and current affairs reports for online, streaming and broadcast.

This assessment will cover the following program learning outcomes:

  • Acquire and apply knowledge of local and international perspectives and issues about contemporary journalism.
  • Critically reflect on your own work to demonstrate autonomy, good judgement and ethical responsibility.


Newsroom (40%)

In a deadline-driven newsroom environment you will choose a topic and produce stories purposed for various platforms. You will have a number of opportunities to produce work for this assessment but will only submit one for grading. 

This assessment will cover the following course learning outcomes:

  • Compare and contrast audio-visual technologies and platforms for news delivery.
  • Critically reflect on the theory and practice of audio-visual journalism and the implications of change.
  • Demonstrate your teamwork capabilities in a deadline-driven news environment.

This assessment will cover the following program learning outcomes:

  • Work collaboratively to plan and produce journalism projects appropriate to the needs of industry.
  • Critically reflect on your own work to demonstrate autonomy, good judgement and ethical responsibility.


Going “Live” (20%) 

You will work as part of a team and complete at least three shifts (one television, two radio) as a producer and/or presenter on our studio-based news programs. 

This assessment will cover the following course learning outcomes:

  • Compare and contrast audio-visual technologies and platforms for news delivery.
  • Demonstrate your teamwork capabilities in a deadline-driven news environment.

This assessment will cover the following program learning outcomes:

  • Acquire and apply knowledge of local and international perspectives and issues about contemporary journalism.
  • Work collaboratively to plan and produce journalism projects appropriate to the needs of industry.
  • Critically reflect on your own work to demonstrate autonomy, good judgement and ethical responsibility.