MECO6924: Semester 1, 2025
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Unit outline_

MECO6924: Television and Video Journalism

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

This unit will give students a grounding in reporting for Television Journalism as well as Video for online publication from the idea to final story. Students will learn how to record video using professional standard equipment. Students will also learn how to script and edit sound and vision for Television reporting packages. Students will learn about production planning - including multi-camera Television Studio operations - as well as the ethical and legal considerations which underpin current multimedia and convergent working environments.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Media and Communications
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
MECO6900
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Varga, david.varga@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) David Varga, david.varga@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) David Ma, david.ma@sydney.edu.au
Oliver Heath, oliver.heath@sydney.edu.au
Rebecca Metcalf, rebecca.metcalf@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment AI Allowed News Story Brief
Outline of news story; how you'll shoot, when and who you'll interview.
25% Mid-semester break
Due date: 22 Apr 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 06 May 2025
Approx 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
Assignment AI Allowed Vox Pops
At least 4 vox pops, edited into 40 sec video+intro. NO 6924 classmates.
30% Week 06
Due date: 04 Apr 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 18 Apr 2025
40 seconds (+/- 3 seconds)+written intro
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment AI Allowed A News Package
You will shoot, script and edit your own news story. More details on Canvas
45% Week 12
Due date: 23 May 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 06 Jun 2025
1.40 - 1.50 min 2 interviews, script
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Learning and Teaching Policy 2024

View rubrics on Canvas for specific assessment criteria relevant to each assignment. As a general guide for grading, see below. 

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 Exceptional standard of learning outcomes

Distinction

75 - 84

 Very high standard of learning outcomes

Credit

65 - 74

 Good standard of learning outcomes

Pass

50 - 64

 Acceptable standard of learning outcomes

Fail

0 - 49

 Learning outcomes not met satisfactorily

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.

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.

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 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to MECO6924, the assignments and the equipment EDU 244 or EDU 227 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Camera work with Gh5, tripods and mics EDU 244 or 227 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Recording Vox Pops with camera, tripod and radio mics EDU244 or EDU 227 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Recording Vox Pops with Cameras, tripod, radio mics. Data wrangling. EDU244 or EDU 227 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Introduction to Video Editing EDU244 or EDU 227 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Editing - Fine Cutting EDU244 or EDU 227 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 07 Construction of a story and pitching EDU244 or EDU 227 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Introduction to 3 point Lighting and Interviewing. TV Studio Education Building TVs 209 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Editing to construct a story. EDU 244 or EDU 227 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 TV studio roles and practice. Class is held in the TV / Broadcast Studio in the Education Building Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 11 Editing news packages, creating graphics and advanced audio editing. EDU244 or EDU 227 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 12 Finalising the news packages EDU 244 or EDU 227 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Final TV bulletin with a selection of this semester's student news packages compiled in studio. Class will take place in the TV/ Broadcast Studio in the Education Building. The news reads will be recorded. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Weekly Weekly Lecture as per canvas outline Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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.

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • 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.

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 what is required to produce television and video packages of broadcast quality with the following technical skills: operating a camera; presenting to camera; video and audio editing
  • LO2. display sound editorial judgment and professional, journalistic writing skills
  • LO3. express a thorough understanding of news values
  • LO4. communicate news in an engaging and creative way
  • LO5. demonstrate an awareness of the role of visual journalism in a convergent production environment.

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.

Assignment 1 is a series of short interviews which will be shot in class time weeks 3 and 4 and then you learn to edit by compiling these interviews during class time. No 6924 class mates can feature in this piece. Week 13 is a class show case news compile exercise using student work to put together a news magazine program.

Please purchase at least ONE 32 GB CLASS 10 Ultra SD card to record your vision and interviews.

A 1TB SSD will be supplied to students for use during the semester but must be returned to the DMU. Students are strongly advised to purchase a 1TB external hard drive for backing up video files

USYD production labs operate on Apple macOS systems. If you have a hard drive that is formatted for a PC, you will need to reformat it to be compatible with macOS. Please note: Reformatting a drive will erase all documents, videos, and other files stored on it, so ensure you back up your data before proceeding.

 

 

Additional costs

Purchase 1xSD cards Class 10 for each student at least 32 GB.

Work, health and safety

Please wear enclosed shoes to every class.

NO thongs, sandals, flip flops or open toed shoes.  This is a safety issue, students who wear inappropriate footwear will be asked to leave the TV Studio and will not be able to participate in practical seminars.

NO food or drink is allowed in the TV Studio, the control rooms or the labs.

If the BIG RED LIGHT is on wait outside until the studio door is opened. Pounding on the door is not acceptable professional behaviour.

Bring a pair of headphones with a mini jack and a personal external Hard Drive to classto back up video files.

Disclaimer

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

This unit of study outline was last modified on 02 Feb 2025.

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