Audio Journalism (9019.3)

Required texts

There is no set text for this unit. Instead, a range of readings will be made available to you via E-reserve to complement the major issues we will address in lectures and tutorials. As topical issues arise frequently about audio journalism and the media, additional readings and case studies will also be provided in-class and on the UCLearn (Canvas) site.

In the field of audio journalism, there are several recommended texts available to help you understand this genre of journalism, and how to get the best out of your interviews and your voice.

• Frangi, A (2012) The Radio Toolbox: everything you need to get started in broadcasting in the digital age, Palgrave MacMillan.
• Bull, A (2016) Multimedia Journalism: A practical Guide, London & New York: Routledge. 2^nd ed.
• Blaine, M. (2014) The Digital Reporter's Notebook, New York & London, Routledge.
• Phillips & Lindgren (2013) Australian Broadcast Journalism, Oxford University Press.
• Kovach & Rosenstiel (2014) The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the People Should Expect, The Three Rivers Press.

Students are expected to listen to daily radio news bulletins, feature radio programmes and specialist podcasts to familiarise themselves with the different audio journalism styles.  Only by listening to quality audio journalism will you be able to successfully produce it for your assessments.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

1. You must attempt and submit every assessment item to pass this unit.

2. Deadlines are an integral part of working in the media. Assignments submitted late without prior notification and without an extension granted, will incur a penalty and may result in a fail grade. Late assignments will also be marked without comment. If you require an extension it is important to ask for one before the due date. If a medical condition makes this impossible, a doctor's or counsellor's certificate should be submitted, normally within three days of the incident.
3. Extensions can only be obtained from the tutor for valid, documented reasons. Lack of personal organisation, pressure of work, and computer and printing problems, are not considered valid reasons. Losing your USB memory stick, or having it stolen, is also not a valid reason. Always back-up your work – it is good work practice as well as providing piece-of-mind.
4. Application of journalism principles and practices are a given. This unit does not exist in isolation in your degree. You should be applying concepts and knowledge acquired in other units in your degree. Careless spelling, unproofed copy, and poor written expression will affect your grades. In other words, always work on your written expression and check your work before submitting.
4. Word processing skills are assumed. Work must be submitted electronically, not in hard-copy. Students must make and retain an electronic copy of all assignments submitted.
5. If there is any doubt about the requirements of any particular assignment or assessment procedure, the onus for clarifying the issue rests with the student who should contact the lecturer about the matter.

Supplementary assessment

There is no supplementary assessment available.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Participation requirements

To achieve the most out of this unit it is strongly recommended you listen to the online lectures, do the recommended readings and attend the tutorials. Together these three elements will help you to develop the skills needed for each assessment and to provide opportunities to receive feedback on your work. Failure to attend in key weeks will make it difficult to pass some assessments.

Required IT skills

This unit assumes basic computer proficiency such as basic word processing and internet searching ability, use of email and Moodle.  It also assumes familiarity with social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and SoundCloud.  If you are unfamiliar with any of these, you are advised to make yourself familiar with them. Audio recording and editing skills will be taught in class.

In-unit costs

This unit does not require expensive textbooks, however it does require each student to own and bring with them each week a set of headphones, some kind of digital audio recorder and camera (i.e. a smart phone), and a portable hard drive.  You will also need to pay for your own travel to and from the Magistrates/Supreme Court or federal parliament as part of your field reporting assessment in week 5.

Work placement, internships or practicums

Each week students will be involved in practical seminar activities such as audio editing, writing, and recording.  However, formal workplace placements are not part of this unit.

• Semester 1, 2018, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (176367)
• Semester 1, 2017, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (165327)