MDIA 3333 - Long-form Journalism

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course provides students with an opportunity to explore ideas of journalism as storytelling, and to develop and apply skills in researching, writing and producing long-form journalism across a range of media platforms. Students will critically engage with feature writing, documentary, podcasting and web journalism to inform and develop their own practice in these areas.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MDIA 3333
    Course Long-form Journalism
    Coordinating Unit Media
    Term Semester 1
    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 1021 or MDIA 2333 or MDIA 2334
    Incompatible MDIA 3329
    Restrictions Priority is given to BMedia students enrolled in the Journalism major but available to other students who meet the prerequisites
    Assessment Presentation, Minor Long-form piece, Research and planning report, Major long-form piece
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Kathryn Bowd

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1.  Examine and critically analyse the role of long-form journalism in the media landscape

    2.  Research and plan long-form journalism outputs across a range of platforms

    3.  Write and produce long-form journalism outputs across a range of platforms

    4.   Demonstrate research and interviewing skills focused on long-form journalism outputs

    5.  Critically engage with long-form journalism across a range of platforms

    6.  Exercise critical thinking skills in analysin information and making judgements on news value








    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3, 4, 6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    2, 3, 4, 6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 6

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    5

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    2, 3, 5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    2, 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    More information about required resources will be provided through MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is taught in a weekly three-hour seminar
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 3-hour seminar per week

    2 hours assignment preparation per week

    3 hours research and news engagement per week

    5 hours reading per week
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

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

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

    Assessment Summary
    Presentation - 20%
    Minor long-form piece - 20%
    Research and planning report - 20%
    Major long-form piece - 30%


    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students must submit all assessment items in order to pass the course







    Assessment Detail
    Presentation - 20%
    - Individual presentation on a topic related to long-form journalism plus facilitation of in-class debate

    Minor long-form piece - 20%
    - 1500-word (or equivalent) piece of original long-form journalism for print/text or radio

    Research and planning report - 20%
    - Report on development of research and planning for major long-form piece

    Major long-form piece - 30%
    - 1800-word (or equivalent) piece of original long-form journalism for any medium

    Full details of assessment criteria and requirements will be provided through MyUni.
    Submission
    All assignments must be submitted via MyUni.
    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
  • 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.