Overview

This core unit in the Master of Media Practice hones skills in producing news stories for print, online, audio, visual and social media. Students are introduced to the theory and practice of news journalism, the processes of news-making, and the skills of interviewing and research. As the unit focuses on producing news stories in multiple formats, it will be beneficial for those interested in journalism and other media sectors such as public relations and communication management.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Media and Communications
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tiania Stevens, tiania.stevens@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Tiania Stevens, tiania.stevens@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Naomi Cammayo, naomi.cammayo@sydney.edu.au
	Raylene Bliss, raylene.bliss@sydney.edu.au
	William Wyman, william.wyman@sydney.edu.au
	Saba Vasefi, saba.vasefi@sydney.edu.au
	Simon Anderson, simon.anderson1@sydney.edu.au
	TRACEY PRISK, tracey.prisk@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Finding News Stories Report	25%	Week 04 Due date: 21 Mar 2025 at 23:59	equivalent 1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	News Portfolio Portfolio	50%	Week 09 Due date: 02 May 2025 at 23:59	equivalent 3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	News Analysis Critical Analysis and adaptation	25%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	equivalent 1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Finding News Stories: Students will develop a set number of newsworthy story ideas based on learning activities
News Portfolio: The portfolio will document the research, reporting and production of a news story in response to a brief
News Analysis: Students will develop an engagement plan and adapt a news story for a social media platform

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

All assessments must be submitted in order to be eligible for a PS grade or higher.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Per Faculty Policy, late submissions incur penalties of 5 marks per day.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks	See Canvas for weekly content and learning activities.	Lecture and tutorial (26 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Preparation: Students should commit to at least three hours preparation time (reading, studying, homework, assessments, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See Canvas for unit readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Be able to write news stories that are clear, concise and accurate
LO2. Gain an understanding how to find and research news stories
LO3. Gain an understanding of the processes of news
LO4. Be aware of the key ethical issues involving the production of news
LO5. Gain an understanding of current scholarly discourse about news

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The content and assessment tasks are new and updated in 2024.

Additional information

Generative AI Policies

Trust plays an essential role in the production and consumption of journalism. One of the key ideas we learn in this class is how to present information and comment in a style that readers trust. In this class we also trust you and value your intention to learn. We are honored that you put your trust in us to guide you in this unit of study and the AI policy is based on trusting and respecting you and new approaches to learning.

AI for Learning: At the University of Sydney, the use of generative AI for learning is permitted, and in this unit you can use tools for brainstorming and proofreading and editing all elements of your assessments. It may also be used to produce illustrations or other creative artefacts be used in Assessment 3. Tools like Grammarly can be very helpful to improve your understanding of grammar, improving the clarity of your text and finding avoidable errors. You may also come up with ways to use it in researching stories (eg scanning long documents to help you find patterns or important information).

Generative AI can not be used to create original text: You are not permitted to use generative AI to write your assessments or to paraphrase documents or interviews as part of an original text. This is a writing class and we are here to practice. Trust us: writing in news style gets easier the more you write and read in news style. Using AI to produce text in your assessments will be considered a breach of academic honesty

Generative AI is not a source You are not permitted to interview the AI as a source (for information or comment)

You are permitted to report on an AI output or how an AI tool works if it is relevant to your story.

Generative AI's outputs may not be trustworthy or meet the expected standards Students should also be aware that many AI tools produce bland text and false information (known as hallucinations). It is unlikely to meet the standards set in the assessment criteria. Overuse may waste your time rather than save it.

Acknowledement Policy:

Acknowledgment for brainstorming and proofing: Just as you don't have to acknowledge if you used spell check in Word or if you bounced Ideas off a friend, no acknowledgment is required for the use of AI in these instances as they are technically using AI to learn. However, you may wish to acknowledge and reflect on your use of these tools in your reflection.

Acknowledgment of creative media developed for Assessment 3: Any generated illustrations or other non text-based media (music audio etc.) should be clearly credited to the Generative AI tool used.

More information on AI for Learning:

This is a resource for students, built by students, to provide ways you can use generative artificial intelligence productively and responsibly as part of your learning journey in university: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/51655

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Generative AI Policies

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MECO6900: News Writing

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Generative AI Policies

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links