Course Title: Online Journalism

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Online Journalism

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM2231

City Campus

Postgraduate

335H Applied Communication

Face-to-Face

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

COMM2231

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.curits@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: email for appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Reporting and Writing the News (COMM1221)


Course Description

In this course you will develop the knowledge and skills to practise online journalism.  You will explore formats and skills for writing journalism for online publications as well develop knowledge of multimedia journalism. You will examine the major theoretical debates around online news delivery and the practical skills to produce specialist online reports.

This course is designed to enable you to apply your academic learning to a contemporary workplace situation. The integration of work-based learning and academic learning, commonly referred to as Work Integrated Learning (WIL), will allow you to solve authentic workplace problems or address real issues faced in organisations.


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
  • Work collaboratively to plan and produce projects within journalism


Course learning outcomes

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

  • Critically discuss the theoretical issues associated with the online environment and its impact on journalism
  • Produce journalism for online publications by adapting journalistic writing and broadcast techniques for the digital platform
  • Create in-depth web-based journalism, incorporating use of images and multimedia elements
  • Compare and contrast  current theories of online journalism


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.

The University Library has extensive resources for [discipline] 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.

When reading news online, you should gather information from a wide variety of sources; local, Melbourne-based news services, national and international. You should also be familiar with blogs and independent ‘net news services’.


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