COMS331-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026

Researching and Reporting News

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
End Date: Sunday, 21 June 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 1 March 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 10 May 2026

Description

This course provides an introduction to the foundational skills and knowledge required for communicating news and information to various publics. You’ll learn how to develop writing and multimedia skills to produce engaging digital content. You’ll also gain knowledge of your ethical responsibilities and learn to critically reflect on your own and others' media practice. The course combines analytical skills with practical experience, including fieldwork and work placement opportunities, to help consolidate the links between theory and practice and develop independence in professional work. Please note, the course’s strongly practical focus requires active in-class engagement. It is not a distance course. Note: This course is restricted to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) or Graduate Diploma in Journalism.

Prerequisites

Limited Entry. (i) COMS231, COMS232, COMS233. (ii) Permission from the Head of Department.

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 12:00 - 14:00 Elsie Locke 401
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 17 May
25 May - 31 May
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 10:00 - 12:00 Elsie Locke 401
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 17 May
25 May - 31 May
Field Trip A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01-P1 Monday 08:30 - 12:30 Christchurch
18 May - 24 May
01-P2 Tuesday 08:30 - 12:30 Christchurch
18 May - 24 May
01-P3 Wednesday 08:30 - 12:30 Christchurch
18 May - 24 May
01-P4 Thursday 08:30 - 12:30 Christchurch
18 May - 24 May
01-P5 Friday 08:30 - 12:30 Christchurch
18 May - 24 May
Workshop A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 10:00 - 13:00 Elsie Locke 401
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Participation in lectures, live exercises and workshops 10% Attendance & participation 70% Leading an assigned newsroom workshop 30%
5 x News Stories 45% 5 x news stories filed to brief & deadline 15% Overall portfolio 50% • 15% OIA requests • 10% story pitches Work experience practical assessment 10%
Audio 20% • 10 radio writs • 15% edited radio interview • 30% Radio package for News story 5 • 45% RDU practical assessment
Reflective Practice 25% • 10% goal setting assignment (simple pass/fail) • 20% self-assessment on 2 news stories, including key learning from a classmate assessment on one story (simple pass/fail) • 10% peer assessment on a classmate’s story (simple pass/fail) • 60% final portfolio reflection/critique

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $2,251.00

International fee $8,880.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Limited Entry Course

Maximum enrolment is 25

For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .

All COMS331 Occurrences

  • COMS331-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026
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