This unit supports the development of knowledge and skills required to produce journalism that moves beyond a focus on who, what, when and where, to focus on deeper 'why' and 'how' questions about complex social phenomena. Students will explore how to investigate issues through both engaging with human sources and developing research skills to identify, access and explore relevant archives. Building on these investigative skills, students will engage with, and learn how to present, in-depth stories in different forms, from the production of background 'explainers' to the development of in-depth feature stories deploying multi-media elements.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Develop and apply advanced skills to research different topics, drawing on a range of sources and materials;
2. Evaluate the advantages and limitations of different sources and research methods, and assess the reliability of information;
3. Create original and engaging stories that explore complex topics that apply techniques of feature-based writing and presentation; and
4. Reflect on the power of storytelling as an agent of cultural identity and social change.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - use Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.