52643 Sound Journalism
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 8 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10046 Journalism Major OR 12 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09478 48cp Journalism Major OR 12 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09486 48cp Journalism Major
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 50818 Podcasting AND 54022 Digging Deeper: Current Affairs and Longer-form Journalism
Description
This subject brings together a range of contemporary disciplines within audio journalism to develop students’ skills in sound communication. Core theories and approaches from sound production are combined with contemporary discourses from podcasting to familiarise students with the genres of audio journalism used in multimedia newsrooms and by audio broadcasters. Exploring a variety of case studies in journalism podcasting, students are introduced to narrative techniques in the audio genre and the principles of sound design as a journalistic tool. With an emphasis on quality communication, this subject explores the modes and practices of sound production, sound design, journalism and reporting and further develops students’ skills in audio producing, radio presenting, radio interview skills and audio production design.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Identify and demonstrate newsworthiness in an audio context |
|---|---|
| b. | Develop audio interviewing skills and produce sound to high quality production values |
| c. | Analyse and apply the characteristics of different sound genres for journalism |
| d. | Evaluate the ethical boundaries of sound journalism |
| e. | Research contemporary issues in journalism practice |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
- Act in a professional manner appropriate to communication industries (1.1)
- Apply theoretically informed understandings of communication industries to independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
- Employ appropriate research and inquiry skills to independently gather, organise and analyse information across diverse platforms (2.1)
- Utilise digital literacy and production skills across a range of media (6.2)
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject integrates fundamental concepts as they pertain to the production of sound journalism. Teaching strategies incorporate Central News based podcast training and recording, interactive, collaborative learning using online learning platforms and in-class activities. The subject program involves online modules, collaborative problem-solving and peer-learning activities as well as discussions of readings. Students develop an understanding of sound journalism in podcast and free-to-air form and the ethical parameters of the digital practice of journalism on audio platforms. Students have the opportunity to receive formative feedback before week 4, ahead of the first assessment.
Content (topics)
This subject introduces students to the core theories and approaches to journalistic sound production, with particular attention to podcasting, interviewing, editing, and music and sound design accompaniment. Students explore the function and role of audio journalism and its applicability to particular stories. They explore the ethical parameters of producing sound journalism and how this impacts storytelling.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Radio Talk Break / News Bulletin
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and e | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 60 seconds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Proposal / Pitch for a new Podcast Program
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and e | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Class presentation (2min) Pitch document (8-10pages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Group Work (Podcast Episode)
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and e | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Podcast (pilot) episode should be between 8-10minutes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Attendance at classes is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor to build capacities towards meeting the subject learning objectives. A roll will be taken at each class (whether on campus or online). Students who have more than two absences from class will be refused marking of their final assessment (see Rule 3.8).
Required texts
Links to required subject readings will be available on the UTS Canvas subject site.
References
Arvanitakis, J. et al. (2020). Who Gets to Tell Australian Stories? Putting the spotlight on cultural and linguistic diversity in television, news and current affairs. Media Diversity Australia. August 17.
Bottomley, A.J. (2015) Podcasting: A Decade in the Life of a “New” Audio Medium: Introduction, Journal of Radio & Audio Media, 22:2, 164-169, DOI: 10.1080/19376529.2015.1082880
Bradshaw, P. (2017). The Online Journalism Handbook: Skills to survive and thrive in the digital age, 2nd Edtn, Oxon: Routledge.
Dowling, D.O. and Miller, K.J. (2019) Immersive Audio Storytelling: Podcasting and Serial Documentary in the Digital Publishing Industry, Journal of Radio & Audio Media, 26:1, 167-184, DOI: 10.1080/19376529.2018.1509218
Harcup, T. (2020). What’s the Point of News? A Study in Ethical Journalism. Switzerland: Springer.
Kern, J. (2012) The NPR Guide to Audio Journalism and Production, University of Chicago Press
Lamble, S. (2016). News as it happens: an introduction to journalism, 3rd edtn. South Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press
Lingren, M. and McHugh, S. (2013) "Not dead yet: emerging trends in radio documentary forms in Australia and the US" (2013). Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers. 1099. https://ro.uow.edu.au/lhapapers/1099
McHugh, S. (2016) How Podcasting is Changing the Audio Storytelling Genre, Radio Journal: International Studies in Broadcasting and Audio Media, Vol 14, No 1, pp 65-82
McHugh, S (2019) The Effective Power of Sound; Oral History on Radio: The Oral History Review, 39:2, pp 107- 206