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Course profile

Social Justice Storytelling (JOUR3100)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Communication & Arts School

This advanced level course provides a platform to gather, write and produce social justice news stories. The course will outline professional and ethical guidelines on a variety of news narratives including: First Nations People, refugees, asylum seekers, people affected by disability, multiculturalism and religion. The course will explore theoretical concepts for producing human rights journalism in a digitally-disrupted news market and will highlight the role and impact of the journalist in producing human-focussed stories that accurately reflect complex narratives. The course will investigate the notion of reflexivity in news practice and how this is important for the well-being of journalists as well as producing fair and balanced stories. The course will also focus on story preparation and risk mitigation.

The course provides a framework for reporting complex social justice issues including stories about First Nations' people, refugees, asylum seekers and people affected by disability.

Course requirements

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

JOUR2100

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Tutor

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with: 

  • Your name 
  • Your student ID 
  • The course code 
  • A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference) 
  • Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP 

Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team. 

Aims and outcomes

This course aim to provide a platform to gather, write and produce social justice news stories across using multiple media. The course will outline best practice professional and ethical guidelines for social justice newsgathering and reporting.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Differentiate and adapt to audience and context.

LO2.

Deploy writing techniques such as anecdotes, description, quotation.

LO3.

Use journalistic investigation/research and editing skills at an advanced level.

LO4.

Follow best practice protocols of ethical and professional journalism.

LO5.

Engage in critical reflection and constructive critique of your own work and that of others.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Examination First Nations' deadline news story
  • In-person
25% 300 words

Week 7

Conducted in tutorials

Creative Production/ Exhibition Social Justice Video News story 40% 3-4 minutes

18/10/2024 4:00 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Deadline news story 35% 500 words

25/10/2024 4:00 pm

Assessment details

First Nations' deadline news story

  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
25% 300 words
Due date

Week 7

Conducted in tutorials

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

This deadline newswriting task will be conducted in your allocated tutorial session.

The task requires you to write a 300-word First Nations' news story from information provided in your class. 

You have 60 minutes to complete the task.

The story must take into account appropriate judgment and ethical choices that are covered in the first three weeks of lectures. The deadline is designed to replicate newsroom contexts.

Once you complete the task you must upload your story to Blackboard.

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 60 minutes
Calculator options

No calculators permitted

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted
Materials

One A4 sheet of handwritten notes , single sided, is permitted

Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

This is a written exam conducted in tutorial time.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

If you are unable to complete the exam due to illness or extenuating circumstances, please apply for a deferred exam in mySI-net.

If your request is approved, the deferred exam will be held on 18th September at 10am in a location to be advised. 

Please note that this will be the only opportunity to sit the deferred exam. If you do not sit the deferred exam at this time you will receive zero marks.

Late submission

Late submission is not possible for this piece of assessment.

Social Justice Video News story

Mode
Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
Category
Creative Production/ Exhibition
Weight
40% 3-4 minutes
Due date

18/10/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L03, L04, L05

Task description

Produce a 3-4-minute video news story on a social justice issue. The news story must include at least three sources and accurately and ethically cover an issue on First Nations' people, refugees, asylum seekers, people with a disability, religion or LGBTIQ communities.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submit via Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Deadline news story

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
35% 500 words
Due date

25/10/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Write an open justice news story from a trip to the courts. The story must be:

  1. 500 words. 
  2. You must have at least three primary sources in your story. In addition, you can use secondary sources.
  3. Provide one image (photograph/illustration/artwork) to accompany the story. These must be your original work.
  4. You must include an appendix with a reference list of sources and contact details for the interviewee(s) and the date and manner in which the interviews took place.
  5. Human interest interview-based features and profiles are permitted; however they must have multiple sources

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submit via Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 1 - 24

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

2 (Fail) 25 - 44

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Additional course grading information

  • Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%. 
  • Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

  • Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course. 
  • Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator. 
  • Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request. 
  • Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ᅠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university. 
  • Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released. 

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Other course materials

If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.

Required

Item Description Further Requirement
Queensland Court Guide A guide to QLD courts own item needed

Additional learning resources information

Additional resources will be placed on Blackboard each week.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1

(22 Jul - 28 Jul)

Lecture

Week 1 Lecture: Journalism as a calling

Introduction to social justice storytelling

Tutorial

Week 1: NO TUTORIALS

Tutorials start in Week 2

Week 2

(29 Jul - 04 Aug)

Lecture

Week 2 Lecture: Reporting First Nations' issues

Module 1: Awareness of history and culture

Tutorial

Week 2 Tutorial: Introduction

Introduction to social justice storytelling. Practice writing exercise

Week 3

(05 Aug - 11 Aug)

Lecture

Week 3 Lecture: More than an interview

Module 1: Beyond the sound grabs, The process of doing journalism

Tutorial

Week 3 Tutorial: Open Justice

Reporting the courts in Queensland

Week 4

(12 Aug - 18 Aug)

Lecture

Week 4 Lecture: Using video to tell stories

Module 3: Storytelling techniques

Tutorial

Week 4 Tutorial: Video storytelling

No FACE TO FACE tutorials this week due to the public holiday. Richard will be uploading a video to Blackboard.

Week 5

(19 Aug - 25 Aug)

Lecture

Week 5 Lecture: Reporting refugees and asylum seekers

Module 2: Reporting on the margins and slow journalism

Tutorial

Week 5 Tutorial: Introduction to reporting migration

First pitch meeting. Understanding and articulating complexity

Week 6

(26 Aug - 01 Sep)

Lecture

Week 6 Lecture: Reporting the other

Module 2: Reporting on the margins - the case of North Korean defector/refugees in Australian, South Korean and international news. This lecture is supported by the Academy for Korean Studies.

Tutorial

Week 6 Tutorial: Who are the other

Second Pitch meeting

Week 7

(02 Sep - 08 Sep)

Lecture

Week 7: NO LECTURE

Tutorial

Week 7 Tutorial: ASSESSMENT 1

Week 8

(09 Sep - 15 Sep)

Lecture

Week 8 Lecture: Matching medium to message

Module 3: Storytelling techniques

Tutorial

Week 8 Tutorial: Video storytelling

First Storyboard meeting: Sources

Week 9

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)

Lecture

Week 9 Lecture: Reporting disability

Module 2: Reporting on the margins

Tutorial

Week 9 Tutorial: Understanding disability

Storyboard meeting: Narrative

Mid Sem break

(23 Sep - 29 Sep)

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

Mid-Semester Break

Week 10

(30 Sep - 06 Oct)

Lecture

Week 10 Lecture: Open Justice

Module 4: In this class we explore the concept of open justice, how it works, and why it is important with leading law scholar Rebecca Ananian-Welsh

Public holiday this week therefore this lecture will be pre-recorded and uploaded to Blackboard.

Tutorial

Week 10 Tutorial: Maximising the medium

Video Story draft meeting

Week 11

(07 Oct - 13 Oct)

Lecture

Week 11 Lecture: Multimedia Storytelling (Recorded lecture)

Module 4: Experimental journalism

No FACE TO FACE lecture this week due to the public holiday. Richard will be uploading a video to Blackboard.

Tutorial

Week 11 Tutorial: Preparing for the final assignment

No FACE TO FACE tutorials this week due to the public holiday. Richard will be uploading a video to Blackboard.

This week, we will be looking at tips and tricks on doing the final assignment.

Week 12

(14 Oct - 20 Oct)

Lecture

Week 12 Lecture: What Lies Ahead

Deadline assessment hand out in lecture

Tutorial

Week 12 Tutorial: Drop-in

Week 13

(21 Oct - 27 Oct)

Lecture

Week 13: NO LECTURE

Tutorial

Week 13 Tutorial: Feedback

This week is an opportunity for you to get feedback on your semester.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.