Course Title: Advanced Reporting and Feature Writing

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Reporting and Feature Writing

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM1227

City Campus

Postgraduate

335H Applied Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009

COMM1227

City Campus

Postgraduate

345H Media and Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015

Course Coordinator: Maree Curtis

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2907

Course Coordinator Email: maree.curtis@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

COMM 1221- Reporting and Writing the News


Course Description

In this course you will develop the knowledge and skills to plan, research and produce effective feature and feature-style writing. You will explore the narrative and literary techniques adapted by journalists when producing feature articles and develop skills in writing feature-style articles including reviews, opinion and analysis.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program learning outcomes

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

  • Practise core newsgathering, writing, production, presentation and technical skills to a professional standard across all media platforms
  • Employ appropriate technical skills and theoretical knowledge to solve problems associated with creative work
  • Effectively and professionally communicate your ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences


Course learning outcomes

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

  • Compare and contrast the requirements of news style and feature style writing
  • Identify and apply narrative and literary techniques to feature writing
  • Undertake the research and planning necessary to write feature length articles
  • Write to strict deadlines and length at a professional standard
  • Identify and evaluate the newsworthiness and currency of issues in the newscycle to generate feature articles and ideas


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in learning that involves a range of activities such as workshops, 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.
 

Journalism students are expected to be keen consumers of news media and are expected to read daily and weekly newspapers – particularly feature articles, sections and magazines - and watch and listen to a selection of news programs.

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://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. Assessment may include reports, reflective papers, 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.

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.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment