Undergraduate GRF-CJR340-2021

Newspapers in History

Flash back to the glory days of the newspaper in western society. Leaf through the history of Britain and Australia’s relationships with newspapers. Witness the rise of political opinion pieces. Utilise 20th century papers as historical sources.

With a network of campuses across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from more than 122 countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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2021

Subject details

What you'll learn

This subject provides you with the knowledge and analytical tools that will enable you to investigate and analyse newspapers as 'texts' in their historical context, and to use newspapers as historical sources.

After successfully completing the subjects students will have developed a solid knowledge in the following key areas:

understanding the history of newspapers
understanding the emergence of newspapers as a powerful political, social and cultural platform
develop a deeper historical understanding of the modern world
develop an understanding of journalism as a profession and its place in the modern world
analysing newspapers as a cultural artefact
analysing newspapers as a cultural institution.
Students will also develop skills in:
textual, cultural and historical analysis
the application of theoretical concepts and knowledge
advanced written expression in academic research essays
academic and digital literacy
independent learning, including independent research strategies
advanced research and investigation skills, including the capacity to explore and organise information from primary sources
critical thinking
referencing using the appropriate method.

Topics covered

- Intro - providing an historical & analytical frame
- British newspaper from roughly 1880 to the WWI
- Australian press up to the 1970s

Entry requirements

Others

You must complete Level 1 Journalism, History or Communications studies before starting this subject.

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

Description

Learn about the role of the newspaper in the history of modern Western society. You will focus on the emergence of mass circulation and new forms of journalism in the second half of the nineteenth century. The role of the English critical weeklies and more radical alternative newspapers will also be examined. The development of Australian newspapers and their function from colonial times through Federation to the contemporary period will also be a major area of study.

You will explore historical topics and events such as: commercialisation of the press; political opinion; cultural authority; structure and ownership of the press; historical analysis of aspects of newspapers; relationship between mainstream and radical press; journalism as a profession and the effects of commercialisation on journalism.

This subject provides you with an opportunity to explore one of the most important and influential cultural forms of the modern world - the newspaper.

Assessments

Essay 1 (40%)
Essay 2 (40%)
Online Discussion (20%)

Textbooks