Media and communications will be at the forefront this Spring with three new units being offered by the University of Tasmania's Journalism, Media and Communications Program.
Communication and Professional Writing is an innovative, mainly online course, which aims to hone students' writing, presentation and media awareness skills to make them confident and competent communicators in professional contexts.
The unit guides students through the contemporary digital landscape and audiences, and offers the skills needed to create a range of communications products.
'It is essential to be an expert communicator in the information age,' said Program Director, Prof Libby Lester.
'Participants will learn to pitch and write for print and electronic media, craft corporate and not-for-profit messages, gain an insight into visual communication, and use social media platforms as promotional tools.'
The face-to-face component, which can be taken via video-link, includes a mini-conference where students will demonstrate their new communication skills in professional presentations.
'You will learn to communicate complex ideas, numbers and academic research to lay audiences, and to present your ideas professionally,' Prof Lester said.
Formulating and communicating ideas in and through the media, including in media releases, op-eds and social media, and responding confidently to media questions, will be a key focus in the UTAS Media Training unit also on offer.
'We designed the unit for anyone who wants to communicate more effectively through the media,' said Professor Lester.
'It would suit people working for not-for-profit organisations and business or government wanting to improve their understanding of the news media and develop skills in interviewing and media writing.'
Students will look at how the media choose and report stories and the Tasmanian media environment, and how to communicate effectively in a media interview, media release or op-ed.
The unit will be taught through a combination of intensive face-to-face sessions and online learning activities.
Students will have the opportunity to work with both UTAS Journalism, Media and Communications staff and industry experts.
Journalist and the Australian War Memorial's official war cinematographer, John Martinkus, and ABC Open have joined forces to offer Extreme Documentary.
'This unit offers students the opportunity to produce documentary journalism for broadcast and web under intensive deadline pressures,' Professor Lester said.
Extreme documentary will give you the chance to work with experienced professionals and learn how to make either a short documentary of your own concept or work with ABC producer Lara Van Raay on a piece for the ABC Open website,' she said.
'This intensive two week course will cover editing, filming, writing and producing documentaries.'
Equipment, technical support and editing facilities will be provided in The Media Lab for the duration of the unit. This unit is being offered with a full fee waiver. After enrolling students can apply for the fee waiver to avoid a HECS debt.
For further information contact the School of Social Sciences at UTAS on (03) 6226 2331, email Social.Sciences@utas.edu.au, or visit www.utas.edu.au/summer/arts