Journalism Capstone Project B

Unit Code:HAJM318

Credit Points	Duration	Contact Hours	Campus	Prerequisite	Corequisite
12.5 Credit Points	One Semester or Term	36 Hours	Hawthorn	HAJM100 Journalism Practice I , HAJM200 Journalism Practice II , Journalism Practice III (HAJM300) and HAJM120 Media Law	Nil

Related Course/s:

A unit of study in the Journalism Major.

Aims & Objectives:

The aim of this unit is to bring together the theory and practice of identifying and interacting with audiences for journalism.

After successfully completing this unit, students should:

Be able to identify audiences and potential audiences for specialist and niche journalism.
Have gained experience and understanding in building audiences for journalism, and creating communities to inform and contribute to your journalism.
Have devised or become part of an internet based platform for your journalism, incorporating audience interaction
Be able to reflect on your journalism practice and the ethical, legal and practical problems encountered

Teaching Methods:

Students will consult with academic staff at the beginning of this unit in order to select and devise their project, and will meet with staff as necessary to bring the project to completion.

Assessment:

Journalism Project (70%)
Reflective essay (30%)

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Students will be provided with feedback during the assessment for this unit of study on thier progress in attaining the following generic skills:

§ analysis skills,

§ problem solving skills,

§ communications skills,

§ ability to tackle unfamiliar problems

Content:

Students (individually or in groups) are expected, in consultation with academic staff, to either establish their own internet based publication or blog, or to gain work experience with an existing publication either internet based or with an internet or new media presence. They are expected to identify potential audiences, including niche audiences, for journalism, and do their best to both build that audience through social media, and to serve it with relevant quality journalism. At the conclusion of the unit, students will reflect on their experience in a brief essay. Students should end the unit with a portfolio of work that demonstrates their journalistic abilities and experience to potential employers.

Reading Materials:

Simons, Margaret The Content Makers: Understanding the Media in Australia Penguin 2007.
Due to the fast changing nature of new media presence, additional readings will be determined close to the date on which the unit is delivered.