MDIA 3328 - News in the Digital Age

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

This course examines how new digital technologies are transforming journalism and news media through new modes of production, new types of data analysis and research capabilities, as well as changes in the wider media environment. The course will provide students with a theoretically informed critical understanding of the news and journalism environment in the context of digital media. Students will develop a wider understanding of the restrictions and opportunities of the digital news environment, as well as some of the central debates within journalism and media studies.

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Course Details

Course Code	MDIA 3328
Course	News in the Digital Age
Coordinating Unit	Media
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	MDIA 2333
Assessment	Minor Essay 20%, Word press post 30%. Major essay 40%, Participation 10%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr John Budarick

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Demonstrate an original and critical understanding of the changing nature of news through an engagement with key debates.
2	Compare, contrast and apply different approaches to news journalism in the context of changing media technologies.
3	Explain the impact that digital technologies have on journalistic ideals of objectivity and professionalism.
4	Theorise how journalistic ethics might change as technologies and practices develop.
5	Evaluate the changing nature of news conusmption and dissemination to appreciate the impact of news on society.
6	Theorise and reflect on the causes and consequences of changing news values in the context of digital media.
7	Work to deadlines individually or as part of a team.
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University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1 2 3 4 5 6
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	2 3 5 7
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	7
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	4
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	4 7

Learning Resources

Required Resources

All students will be provided with electronic copies of required readings.

Recommended Resources

Information on recommended learning resources will be provided through MyUni.

Online Learning

This course makes extensive use of MyUni and some external websites. Some lecture content may be provided online through MyUni. Assignment submission is generally through MyUni.
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

Most lectures for this course will be delivered face-to-face, and will also be recorded using the MyMedia system. Lecture recordings will be automatically loaded to MyMedia after delivery.

Some lecture material may be provided online through MyUni. Tutorials will expand upon the lectures and course readings. Tutorials will include a mixture of individual and small group work, including a series of in depth class debates in which key issues will be discussed in a productive manner.

Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A guide to workload for this course is:
- Lecture attendance: 1 hour per week
- Workshop attendance: 2 hours per week
- Workshop preparation: 3 hours per week
- Assignment preparation: 3 hours per week
This is an approximation of the likely time required in an average week to complete all elements of the course. Actual workload is likely to vary depending on assignment deadlines.

Students are expected to attend workshops having completed any required preparatory exercises.
Learning Activities Summary

Specific Course Requirements

There are no specific course requirements

Small Group Discovery Experience

This course will incorporate small group learning through group workshop activities. These will include class debates, wherein students will work in small groups to engage with key debates in the fields of journalism and news.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment in this course will measure students' ability to recall, interpret and critically analyse key learning themes, theories and tools. Assessment tasks will incorporate written assignments that demonstrate achievement of course learning outcomes. The course will consist of 4 assessment tasks: three written assignments and a tutorial participation and attendance mark.

Extensions: extensions for assessment tasks will only be granted within university guidelines. Extensions of more than 2 days will require sufficient documentation as evidence. Extensions will not be granted for more than 10 working days.

Extensions WILL NOT be granted for the following reasons: Other assessment pieces from other university courses due at a similar time as an assessment task from this course; external employment pressures or extra work from an employer; personal reasons without documented medical/counselling certificates.

Late penalties will be applied - details in Course materials.

Assessment Tasks
Minor Essay (1500 words) Essay requiring students to engage with key debates on media professionalism 25% LO 2567
Online Quizzes 2 online quiz zestesting students' knowledge of course material 20% LO123456
Major Essay Critical essay drawing on course material 45% LO 123456
Participation and attendance Measuring students' participation in tutorials 10% LO 7

Assessment Related Requirements

The final assignment (assignment 3) is a hurdle requirement and must be SUBMITTED to pass this course

Assessment Detail

Information about assignments will be provided through MyUni and in lectures and workshops. Information about assignments can also be found in the assessment summary part of this document.

Submission

Assignment should be submitted only through the Turnitin link provided on the course MyUni site

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator