Monash College Handbook

NEWSROOM PRACTICE AND THEORY (MCD6070)

Purpose

MCD6070 Newsroom Practice and Theory is the first unit in the journalism stream. The focus is the theory and practice of newsrooms. The unit will provide you with an introduction to various issues faced by working journalists including representation, cultural differences and ethics of journalism.

Prerequisites

Nil

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. develop knowledge of news writing and reporting skills
2. develop knowledge of newsroom practices and the pressures that working journalists experience
3. obtain an introduction to the legal aspects of journalism including the impact of defamation legislation, contempt of court, and other legal issues
4. gain a comprehensive understanding of the cultural and historical forces acting on Australian journalism to create its particular character
5. be aware of the ethical implications of journalistic work and of the responsibilities journalists have to the various communities they report on and that make up a culturally diverse population
6. produce (write and report) relevant, commercially viable copy for print media. Publication will be encouraged but is not an essential requirement for this subject
7. understand and participate in discourses about the current issues and debates in journalism, including the impact of new technologies on journalism
8. demonstrate an understanding of critical and creative thinking skills and appropriately use strategies of critical and creative thinking
9. recognise various writing genres and become aware of the various theoretical and critical models used in discussing and responding to literature.

Assessment

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