News and Journalism unit (HEJ113)

Hobart

Introduction

From the newsroom to the live stream, the news industry combines top-level communication skills with the ability to evaluate and synthesise knowledge for large audiences. In this unit, you will be introduced to both the theoretical and practical dimensions of the news industry. You will learn media research methods and build an understanding of the local, national and global contexts of news media and its connection to politics and society. You will also engage with the craft of news writing, including research and interviewing, to produce news stories for various platforms, evolving an understanding of news as practice and production.

Summary

Unit name	News and Journalism
Unit code	HEJ113
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline	Media
Coordinator	Doctor Gemma Blackwood
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	4/7/2027	26/7/2027	29/8/2027	23/10/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Explain key concepts and debates in journalism and media studies
• Analyse news media texts from local and global perspectives
• Apply journalistic techniques and conventions, such as research, interviewing and verification, to write or produce ethical and creative news content
• Synthesise analytical and research skills to articulate the functions of news media in society from local and global perspectives

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

HEJ255 News Contemporary Practice and Analysis AND HEJ355 News Contemporary Practice and Analysis

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	On Campus Weekly online content  - 30-minute lecture and learning activity Weekly scheduled classroom tutorial (90 minutes)¿
Assessment	Breaking news with social media. (20%)|Oral pitch for portfolio of news stories (20%)|Portfolio of news media (30%)|Reflexive essay (30%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.