Course Title: Develop and Apply Industry Knowledge

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: EMPL5229C

Course Title: Develop and Apply Industry Knowledge

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4171 - Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mctafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Clare Renner
Telephone: 03 9925 4047
Email: clare.renner@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 15

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

At RMIT, Develop and Apply Industry Knowledge  is taught along with 2 other competencies:
 

  • Identify industry laws and regulations and apply them to workplace activities (CUFGEN02A )
  • Maintain workplace safety (BSBCMN311A )

Course Description

The competency Develop and Apply Industry Knowledge is taught within the course Industry Overview. In this course you increase your knowledge of the writing and publishing industry through contact with a broad range of people who are currently working in different areas of the industry. You also explore the laws and regulations governing the industry and look at issues of health and safety that may affect you as a writer or editor..


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFGEN01A Develop and Apply Industry Knowledge

Element:

1. Seek information on the structure and operation of the industry

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Correctly identify and access sources of information on the industry

1.2 Obtain information to assist effective work performance within the industry, including information on:
• different sectors of the industry, their relationships and the products and services available in each sector
• major industry bodies/associations
• relationships with other industries
• different markets and their relevance to industry sectors
• different distribution channels for industry products and services
• economic and/or social significance of the industry
• the role of local communities
• specific features of the local/regional industry
• working arrangements

1.3 Access information on the specific sector of work

1.4 Correctly apply industry information in day-to-day work activities
 

Element:

2. Seek information on industry employment obligations and opportunities 

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Obtain information to assist effective work performance within the industry, including information on:
• career opportunities and career paths within the industry
• the roles, responsibilities and employment rights of contracted freelance workers within the industry
• the roles, responsibilities and inter–relationships of individual personnel in an industry environment
• unions and employer bodies
• professional associations
• industrial relations issues - awards and enterprise bargaining agreements, non award areas
• cultural issues

2.2 Correctly apply industry information on employment opportunities and obligations in day-to-day work activities
Element: 3. Seek information on new technology
 

Element:

3. Seek information on new technology

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Obtain information to assist effective work performance within the industry, including information on:
• advances in any type of equipment or technology used within the industry
• likely effects of new technology on current work practices and the structure of the organisation and industry, and the community
• ways of upgrading skills to include the use of new technology
• sources of technical advice and support

3.2 Correctly apply industry information on technological advances in day-to-day work activities
 

Element:

4. Update industry knowledge

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Continually apply informal and/or formal research to update general knowledge of the industry

4.2 Monitor current issues of concern to the industry

4.3 Share updated knowledge with customers and colleagues as appropriate, and incorporate information into day-to-day work activities
 

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will have a good understanding of the different areas of writing and publishing industry. You will also have an awareness of copyright law and of issues surrounding your health and safety as a writer and / or editor.  <!--EndFragment-->


Details of Learning Activities

In this course, you learn through -

In-class activities:
• lectures
• industry speakers
• group discussion

Out-of-class activities:
• independent project-based work
• writing and reading
• online and other research
• independent study


Teaching Schedule


Each week you have the opportunity to hear someone from a different area of the industry. The following topics will be covered but the order of speakers will depend on people’s availability .

** NB. Please be aware that:
1. The copyright lecture will be held on WEDNESDAY 2 MAY. Attendance at this lecture is compulsory for reaching competence in Identify Industry laws and Regulations and Apply to Workplace Activities.
2. There will be lecture on maintaining your health as a writer and/or editor on WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL.  Attendance at this lecture is compulsory for reaching competence in Maintain Workplace Safety.


 

Topics for Industry Overview lectures (only delivered in Semester 1) Competency and Elements
 
 OH&S - Looking after yourself as a writer and/or editor (Lecture on 4 APRIL) BSBCMN311A 1,2,3,4
 
Copyright - What you need to know as an author and/or editor (Lecture on 2 MAY) CUFGEN02A - 1,2
 


RPL - recognition of industry experience and current competence		 CUFGEN01A - 2,4
BSBCMN311A - 3
CUFGEN02A - 2
 
Small press publishing
 		 CUFGEN01A - 1,2,4
CUFGEN02A - 1,2
BSBCMN311A - 3
 
Writing for young adults (YA) writers share their stories and tips for success   
                                                                                              
 		 CUFGEN01A - 1,4
 
Resources for writers and editors - Victorian Writers’ Centre, the Wheeler Centre and other professional organisations
Overview of the publishing process - various speakers		 CUFGEN01A - 1,2,3
CUFGEN02A - 1,2

 
Overview of the publishing process - various speakers; how to pitch your work; international and other rights CUFGEN01A - 1,2,3,4
CUFGEN02A - 1
BSBCMN311A - 3<!--EndFragment-->
 Literary agents - a perspective of their role CUFGEN02A - 1,2,4
 Books and the electronic age - where are we going?

 		 CUFGEN01A - 1,2.,3
CUFGEN02A - 1
 
Writing your passion - people who make a living writing about their special interests (fiction and nonfiction) CUFGEN01A - 1,4
CUFGEN02A - 1

 
 Making a living as a freelance writer and/or editor - it’s not impossible CUFGEN01A - 1,2,3,4
CUFGEN02A - 1
BSBCMN311A - 3
Writers and editors - a special relationship CUFGEN01A - 1,4
CUFGEN02A - 1
 
 The business of written communication - corporate writing and editing CUFGEN01A - 1,4
CUFGEN02A - 1
Applying for grants - everything you need to know CUFGEN02A - 1
CUFGEN01A - 1,2,3,4
 




Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Any prescribed material will be provided by the teacher in this course


References

You are advised to look at the course blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

You require access to a computer and to the internet for this course


Overview of Assessment

Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through  written assignments and a research project.
 


    Assessment Tasks

    To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.

    Assessment 1: Research an area of the industry that is of personal interest to you. Write a report of 1000 words. (This is the assessment related to Develop and Apply Industry Knowledge, EMPL5229C.)
    Final submission date for this report is 30 May.

    Assessment 2: Create a health and safety plan for yourself taking into account your individual needs and the advice provided at the lecture. (Due 2 May)

    Assessment 3: Select an area within the publishing or writing industry and research any industry laws and regulations that might impact on writers and/or editors. Produce a short report discussing your findings.
    (500 words) Final submission date for this report is 30 May.


    Detailed briefs for all  assignments will be provided on Blackboard.

    All units will be assessed as: 
    C Competent
    NYC Not yet competent


    Assessment Matrix


    The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program Administration.

    Other Information

    Attendance
    The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

    Cover Sheet for Submissions
    All students must complete a submission cover sheet for each piece of submitted work.

    Plagiarism - RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity

    Copyright
    All students have access to the myRMIT copyright shell. The myRMIT copyright shell contains information on copyright, plus also examples on how to use copyright works as part of your projects and assignments.

    Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
    All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
    www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration/online

    Student Progress Committee
    This committee promotes the early identification of students who are not achieving acceptable academic performance. The committee provides identified students with assistance and seeks to ensure such students are aware of the range of support services available to them at the University. Student Progress Committee (SPC)

    Student Feedback
    Students are offered opportunities to provide feedback through a variety of mechanisms including online surveys conducted at the end of each course or semester, student complaints and Student Staff Consultative Committees
     

    Course Overview: Access Course Overview