Monash College Handbook

INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM (MCD1560)

Purpose

This unit forms the preparatory component to the Part 2 Journalism sequence of Newsroom Practice & Theory and Feature Writing.

This unit has been designed to assist students in understanding the industry of journalism. The primary focus will be on developing analytical skills about a variety of journalistic genre; while the secondary emphasis will be on understanding how the creative and persuasive journalism industry operates.

The unit begins with exploring the context in which journalism exists. Students will study the expectations and obligations that the industry and public have of journalists. Students will explore their own use of the media and how this influences their writing to illustrate journalistic processes.

Six genres of media, comprising old and new technology, will be studied. A definition of how audience, purpose, technique and contention operate will be developed. These definitions will form a framework of strategies which students can use in their own writing.

Students will then research and study one of the genres in detail giving the chance to demonstrate their understanding of the unit.

Prerequisites

Nil

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. familiar with the context of journalism
2. able to identify and define the strategies used in journalistic writing and presentation
3. able to demonstrate the skills and strategies identified and apply them to different genres

Skills

On completion of this unit, students will have developed essential skills, including:

1. the ability to analyse a workplace context
2. critical analysis in reading, writing and listening to a range of genres
3. the identification of strategies involved in writing
4. the accurate and appropriate use of language in a variety of genres
5. the ability to write and present in a range of genres

Assessment

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