News Media Article Analysis

Students are to choose two news media articles from credible newspapers or news

media websites (blog posts, videos and social media content are not permitted). The

articles are to be directly relevant to government-business relations (for example,

regulation, industry policy, interest groups, trade agreements, the role of government

in the economy etc. If in doubt, ask your tutor if it is relevant before selecting an

article). The articles (two in total) are to be based on a single issue, however each

article must be taken from a different source (for example, SBS, ABC, The

Guardian, The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and so on) and is to reflect different

opinions/views on the selected government-business relations theme. Students are

to write in full prose and answer the following questions for each article:

1)    What is the article about? What is it overtly/covertly suggesting?

2)    Who is it written by/for? (Why might this be significant?)

3)    Who is the publisher? (Why might this be significant?)

4)    What are some of the underlying assumptions, values, and ideologies found in

the article?

5)    Why did you choose this article? What concepts does this article demonstrate?

Students are to conduct an analysis of the news media articles using their own

research and the concepts from the unit. At least 5 different academic references (in

total) should be used (in addition to the media articles. However, the news media

articles should also be included in the reference list). The news media analysis is to

be written in an academic style but the written work is to be organised using each

question as a separate sub-heading. The analysis of each article is to be placed

under the same sub-heading, and each question is to have an introductory statement

and is to conclude with a summary to compare and contrast each article. Full prose

and paragraphs are to be used in answering each question. Students are to use the

author/date system for referencing and a reference list should be included at the end

of the answers but as part of the main document. The document is to appear as one

paper, and page breaks are not to be used between each sub-heading. A unique title,

outlining the major issue being analysed, is to be included at the top of the document.

The news media anslysis is to be 1,000 words +/- 10%. The task is not to simply

summarise the articles, but to analyse the articles using the concepts taught in this

unit. The answers to the questions are to contain a clear argument and the analysis

is to be supported by evidence. URKUND is enabled for all assessment items for this

unit. The assignment must be submitted via Moodle on time. Late penalties will apply

and extensions will only be considered when the extension form is signed and

submitted well before the due date with supporting documentation.

Referencing and Submission Requirements: Students are to use at least 5

different sources (references) to provide at least 5 different in-text references in their

answer. At least one reference is to be a journal article. Students are to write the

answers to the questions in full prose, using appropriate paragraphs (approximately

100-150 words each paragraph), and a variety of high quality, academic sources

(references) in order of quality from highest to lowest as follows:

1. Academic journal articles;

2. Academic books, including edited books;

3. Reports from international institutions such as the OECD and World Bank;

4. News media articles;

5. Government websites; and

6. Websites from businesses, industry groups, consumer groups or professional

bodies

A reference list (a list of the references actually cited in-text) must be included as part

of the main document (separate files will not be accepted). The reference list must

use a recognised scholarly referencing system using the author/date format. All

information relating to the reference is to be included – if you cannot find the year of

publishing or the author, then it is probably not an appropriate academic reference.

Page numbers are required for in-text references.

Students must submit their academic essays via Moodle in Microsoft Word or Adobe

PDF document format. Essays submitted in any other format will not be marked and

will receive a grade of zero. It is required that essays include a list of references at

the end of the paper (in alphabetical order by author surname) which is presented in

a recognised Author/Date referencing system (see

http://canberra.libguides.com/referencing). The reference list forms part of the essay

and is not to be submitted as a separate file. Reference lists submitted as separate

files will be ignored by the marker. Please note that the requirements for referencing

set out in this unit may be different from examples provided in the referencing guides.

Where there is a conflict about the style of referencing (for example the use of page

numbers), you are required to follow the unit outline.

Write in the Third Person: Students must write in the third person for this

assignment. For example, rather than writing ‘In this paper, I will discuss…’, write:

‘This paper will discuss…’. Writing in the third person is a formal writing skill which

you must practise while undertaking this unit. If you do not write in the third person

this assignment your work may be heavily penalised.

Word Count Rules: The word count is conducted by using the word count function

in Microsoft Word by highlighting the first word of the first sentence to the last word of

the last sentence. The word count includes all in-text references and quotes but does

not include the title or the reference list. Plus or minus 10% leeway is given for the

word count, for example, a word limit of 1,000 words means the word count must be

between 900 to 1,100 words. Markers will ignore those parts of the written work that

exceed the word limit, and submissions which are under the word limit will be

considered as not representing a completed assessment task. Excessive use of

quotes will be heavily penalised. Writing to a set word count is a requirement in

almost every profession, and presenting an argument within the bounds of a word

count demonstrates partial achieving of Learning Outcome 5.

Assessment Criteria and Additional Information: This section is to be read in

conjunction with section 6h: Additional Information. Assessment criteria includes the

information provided in this unit outline, information provided in lectures, tutorials

and/or online discussions, and the additional information provided in this section.

Failure to read this unit outline or to attend classes (or, where relevant, participate

online) does not constitute grounds for special consideration or review of results.

Students are expected to have the capacity and commitment to attend class or

(where relevant)to actively participate in online discussions. Students who are unable

to commit to attending classes should enrol in the Online mode for this unit.