Course Title: Writing for the Media

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Writing for the Media

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM1132

City Campus

Postgraduate

335H Applied Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008

COMM1132

City Campus

Postgraduate

345H Media and Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Spring2013,
Sem 1 2014

Course Coordinator: Judy Burnside-Lawry

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3128

Course Coordinator Email: judy.lawry@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 9.5.32

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment, via email.


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.


Course Description

This course will equip you with writing skills integral to professional writing practice for different communications streams including media, internet and other digital media. You will learn the principles of writing clearly and concisely, and writing for specific audiences and media, at a professional level.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

In this course you will develop the following program capabilities:

  • critically analyse and respond to the fundamentals of news–writing and writing for digital media;
  • reflect on your own and others’ practice, in relation to professional responsibilities and theoretical perspectives of writing for the media;
  • communicate knowledge through situating practice in the context of the literature and best practice.


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

  • compare and contrast skills integral to professional writing practice for different media, including internet and other digital media;
  • identify and evaluate professional writing practice relevant to print and on-line journalism – knowledge of formats and conventions in terms of methodologies, style, layout and means of delivery;
  • develop proficiency in proof-reading and sub-editing;and
  • examine public relations writing, including media releases, backgrounders, public service announcements, speeches etc; and


Overview of Learning Activities

The course will take a blended approach in its delivery with learning activities that involves a range of activities including lectures, tutorials, group and online class discussion, group activities. You will gain most of the core writing concepts through practical work and material provided in the lectures and seminars. While extensive use will be made of the internet in class, reading newspapers and magazines in ‘analogue’ form is a vital part of the course.
 


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 be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.  


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. You will be able to develop your work in relation to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice.  Assessment may include writing news stories, media release, reflective piece, review or short profile, and researched feature articles.

Assessment will occur during the course and at the end of the course. Methods may include any combination of assessment tasks such as reports, reflective papers, group work and presentations.

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.

An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document.