1. Course Objective
At the end of this course learners will be able to write and produce news stories for radio and television
2. Course Scope
The course will provide learners with the fundamental knowledge on the principles of writing news for radio and television.
It will also introduce learners to the practical skills and attitudes needed to produce radio and television news items in English and Samoan.
3. Course Delivery Structure
Class Contact Hours per week
Independent Learning Hours per week
Lecture
2 x 1 hour = 2 hours
Total independent learning hours per week (an expected estimate)
6
Tutorial
2 x 1 hour = 2 hours
Total contact hours per week
4
Total nominal hours per week = 4 + 6 = 10 hours
Total nominal hours for the whole Course = 140 hours (10 hours x 14 weeks)
4. Alignment with International and/or National Standards (if applicable)
This course is developed according to the requirements set out in the Samoa Qualifications Framework Policies, 2012.
5. Pre-requisite Courses
Acceptance into the Programme
2
6. Underpinning Skills and Knowledge
Learners taking this course should already have at least acquired oral, reading, writing,
listening and speaking skills.
7. Learning Outcomes and Performance Criteria
By the end of the course, the learner will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes
and performance criteria:
Learning Outcomes Performance Criteria
1. Differentiate broadcast from print. 1.1. Explain the difference between time
and space.
1.2. Compare and contrast between
narrative and dissemination.
1.3. Distinguish between the ‘eye vs ear’.
2. Discuss the principles of writing stories
for broadcast media.
2.1. Identify and define principles of writing
broadcast news stories.
2.2. Discuss elements of writing broadcast
news.
2.3. Demonstrate news scripts for broadcast.
2.4. State the types of broadcast formats.
2.5. Discuss the editing software for
production of broadcast news stories.
3. Demonstrate the use of broadcast
equipment.
3.1. Identify and explain the purpose of
broadcast equipment.
3.2. Apply the techniques in producing,
recording and editing broadcast stories.
4. Write broadcast news stories. 4.1. Structure broadcast news stories.
5. Produce news items. 5.1. Explain production protocols.
5.2. Apply production techniques.
5.3. Broadcast and upload news stories.
6. Apply basic maintenance of broadcast
equipment.
6.1. Demonstrate procedures of safekeeping
media equipment.
8. Teaching and Learning Strategies
This course is taught via classroom lectures, moodle, field trips, newsroom hands on training,
NUS and off-campus events and presentations.
9. Assessment Strategies
Assessment for this course is Achievement Based. The pass mark for this course is 50%; a
combination of course work and final exam.
Assessment Learning Outcomes Value (%)
3
Written Test 1 – 3 15
Individual Radio News
Production & Bulletin
4 – 5
15
Group Television News
Item Production
6 15
Upload online broadcast
news items
4 – 6 5
Participation 10
Final Exam 1 – 6 40
TOTAL
100
10. Content Outline
Week/Session
#
Topics Sub-topics
1 Introduction to the course  History of Television and radio
broadcasting
2 Broadcast vs Print Media  Eye vs. Ear concept in broadcast
journalism
 Time vs. Space
3 Principles of writing for
radio
 Identifying the audience
 Writing for the ear
4 Principles of writing for
television
 Let the pictures tell the story
 Grabs and Interviews
5 Broadcast Equipment  Camera, tripods, recorders, microphones,
radio transmitter
6 Production Editing
Software
 Adobe Premier
 Adobe Audition
7 - 8 Broadcast News Structure  Types of broadcast news styles
9-11 Broadcast News
Production
 Broadcast News Production
12 Online Uploads and
Downloads
 Publishing news stories to Samoa beat
website
13 Media equipment
maintenance rules
14 Revision
11. Essential Reading and Learning Resources
Apple Computer Inc, 2005, Final Cut Pro 5: Getting Started, Apple Computer Inc, US.
Emm, A, 2002, Researching for television and radio, Routledge, London, UK.
Estrada, S. R. & Fraser, C., 2001, Community Radio Handbook, UNESCO.
Houston, B, 2004, Computer Assisted Reporting: A Practical Guide, Third Edition,
Bedford/St. Martin's, US.