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Unit of study_

MECO6938: The Interview

Semester 1a, 2021 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Interviewing covers a range of styles from the performative to the investigative and is a fundamental skill for media work and much scholarly research. This unit will introduce students to interview research, design and practice for both media and academic outlets. Students will examine best practice examples of a range of interview approaches and techniques, as well as delivering a substantial interview project.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MECO6938
Academic unit Media and Communications
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Blue Lucine, blue.lucine@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Research Brief
Bio of person being interviewed; minimum 15 questions.
20% Week 04
Due date: 23 Mar 2021 at 19:01
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO5 LO4
Assignment Major project
A 3000 words print interview, a 6:0 minute TV interview, or a 9 min audio
50% Week 07
Due date: 13 Apr 2021 at 17:00
3000 words or equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO2
Assignment Report
Essay: Interview techniques reflecting on visits to Q&A and own experience.
30% Week 07
Due date: 13 Apr 2021 at 17:00
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6

Assessment summary

Detailed information may be available in Canvas

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.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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:

Detailed information may be available in Canvas

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Q&A field trip to ABC Ultimo Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Q&A field trip to ABC Ultimo Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Q&A field trip to ABC Ultimo Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 01 Course structure, interviewing styles and assignments Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Questions and narrative styles, choosing talent Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Guest Lecturer Monique Schafter, ABC reporter. Pitching, interview etiquette and working with vulnerable, challenging and celebrity subjects. Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 04 Assessment presentations. Focus groups and ethnography. Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 05 Interview styles- use of silence and nonverbal signs Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Record TV or print or radio interviews Seminar (3 hr) LO3
Week 07 Record TV or radio interviews Seminar (3 hr) LO3

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, 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 spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, 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

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

  • Textbook: Interviewing: A Guide for Journalists and Writers, by Gail Sedorkin. 2nd edition 2011, Allen and Unwin

There is an extensive set of links to articles on Canvas,  and you will also be required at watch a TV Interview program live in the Studio. The show is Q@A and Blue Lucine is organising the dates. This will be dependent on the current COVID19 conditions.

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.

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

  • LO1. demonstrate an understanding of different styles of interviewing
  • LO2. demonstrate the fundamentals of interviewing as research and fact finding method
  • LO3. demonstrate an ability to collate and present interview responses in a manner appropriate to a specified media or research project
  • LO4. demonstrate awareness of key ethical issues involving the production of news and research materials
  • LO5. demonstrate the ability to plan and achieve goals while working to deadline.
  • LO6. demonstrate skills in critical discussion and analysis of interviews in a range of media formats and environments

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

This unit has been converted to a series of 3 hour lectures over 7 weeks, in response to student feedback.

The TV Studio draws in extra staff as additional people are required to run cameras, audio and vision control. If your talent cancels email Blue Lucine as soon as possible. 

The TV interviews as done “As for LIVE” so very litle editing is needed. you are given a 3 minute and a 1 minute reminder.  And then a 30 second wrap up. The marking criteria will be posted on Canvas. 

It is suggested that you wear make up and bring a comb or brush for your hair. 

No food or open drinks are allowed in studio.

Site visit guidelines

Same as for TV Studio, no open toed shoes. When signing up you must use your UNIKEY and full name or consistently use the same preferred name, as changing names confuses people

Work, health and safety

When working in the TV Studio please wear showes with a closed toe. No sandals, thongs, flip-flops or slip on shoes are permiited.

Also NO drinks or food are allowed in the Studio or control rooms.

The TV or Radio Studio must be booked in advance, this can be done via the DMU booking application.

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.