Enrolments for 2023 have closed.
The Emerging Journalist
Undergraduate | LTU-JRN1TEJ | 2023
Course information for 2023 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed,
- No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
The Emerging Journalist
About this subject
Identify and write newsworthy stories for print/online publication, using relevant journalistic forms, including the inverted pyramid.
Verbally present research on a newsworthy topic and explain their ideas and questions to groups of other students and staff.
Utilise archival material, and undertake effective online database and search engine searches to develop and write news articles.
Identify, analyse and evaluate sources, arguments and evidence in a range of platforms (audio, online, print, screen including engagement with audiences and apply these critical skills to their own work.
Analyse and understand the concept of best practice as it applies to reporting, writing, recording, filming, photography and attribution, including the Media Alliance Code of Ethics (http://www.alliance.org.au/code-of-ethics.html), media law and, as appropriate, other emerging codes of conduct and guides to best practice.
Demonstrate an understanding of how factors such as power, politics and ethics shape media industries.
- • News writing.
- • Feature writing.
- • News values.
- • Editing and style.
- • Press freedom.
- • Media ownership.
- • Media ethics.
The Emerging Journalist introduces you to the shifting roles and responsibilities of journalists and journalism within liberal democratic societies. You will appreciate the contemporary media landscape and the role of journalists and media organisations in relation to social, economic, political and cultural power structures. Topics and issues covered include best practices in news and feature writing, media ethics, and working with sources. Assessment tasks are designed to give students an opportunity to start building a portfolio of journalistic work via La Trobe Journalism's online publication for emerging journalists, upstart, http://www.upstart.net.au
- 4 x 250-word written tasks responding to online learning content submitted across weeks 2-6 (25%)
- Folio of news articles equivalent to 1300 words (40%)
- One 1500 word equivalent writing exercise (including verbal presentation of concept) A feature article (includes pitch presentation) (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-DEG
Single subject FAQs
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions .
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.