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Unit outline_

MECO6941: Podcasting

Intensive February, 2023 [Block mode] - Remote

Podcasting is a method of audio distribution with its own aesthetics and values, influenced by but distinct from broadcast radio. In this practical unit students learn to identify and produce audio stories in a range of genres and formats. They develop the foundational skills necessary for working professionally in audio.

Unit details and rules

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

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lea Redfern, lea.redfern@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s) Melanie Herbert, melanie.herbert@sydney.edu.au
Amruta Nargundkar, amruta.nargundkar@sydney.edu.au
Iris Molenaar, iris.molenaar@sydney.edu.au
James Brandis, james.brandis@sydney.edu.au
Rose Nakad, rose.nakad@sydney.edu.au
Tom Phillips, thomas.phillips@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Serpil Senelmis, serpil.senelmis@sydney.edu.au
Kyla Brettle, kyla.brettle@sydney.edu.au
Liz Keen, liz.keen@sydney.edu.au
Jinghua Qian, jinghua.qian@sydney.edu.au
Kim Lester, kim.lester@sydney.edu.au
Evangelia Tsamoglou, lia.tsamoglou@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation hurdle task Present draft podcast to class
Class presentation of work-in-progress in class 11 or 12 by arrangement
5% Multiple weeks 250 word equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation hurdle task Class, content and peer engagement
Diverse forms of participation are recognised. See Canvas for more detail
10% Ongoing Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Interview (audio recording)
Online submission audio and supporting documents
20% Week 01
Due date: 22 Jan 2023 at 23:59
1000 word equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO10 LO7 LO6 LO5
Assignment hurdle task Podcast review
Online submission
5% Week 01
Due date: 22 Jan 2023 at 23:59
250 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO9 LO10 LO11
Presentation hurdle task Class Pitch
Verbal submission with slides
15% Week 02 800 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Podcast (audio recording)
Online submission audio and supporting documents
45% Week 04
Due date: 12 Feb 2023 at 23:59
2200 word equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO11 LO10 LO8 LO7 LO5 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Further details 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

Exceptional work. Broadcast standard in concept and execution

Distinction

75 - 84

High standard of work. Close to a broadcast standard in concept and execution

Credit

65 - 74

Good standard of work in concept and execution.

Pass

50 - 64

An acceptable standard of work.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

.

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.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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

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.

Required readings

Details on Canvas

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. Gain an understanding of podcasting as audio production
  • LO2. Develop an appreciation of the podcasting landscape and future potential
  • LO3. Identify the elements of a successful podcast
  • LO4. Understand and apply techniques of scripting and presentation for the spoken word
  • LO5. Understand the different types of microphones and their application to enhance audio quality
  • LO6. Conduct and record an audio interview
  • LO7. Edit audio using a DAW
  • LO8. Understand and apply the concepts and techniques of sound design
  • LO9. Develop and pitch an original podcast idea
  • LO10. Identify, provide and appropriately apply constructive feedback
  • LO11. Produce a podcast to a professional broadcast/distribution standard

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.

In response to last year's feedback, we will be incorporating more technical instruction in class. Assignments are streamlined to become more iterative, and there are more in-class exercises.

Additional costs

It is essential that students subscribe to Adobe Audition. There are student rates available through the university.

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.