DIGITAL JOURNALISM (NEW COURSE)

OVERVIEW Course Info

Qualification
Digital Journalism - Course Structure Diploma of Digital Journalism
Duration
12 months full-time
1st Year - Diploma of Digital Journalism
Entry Requirements:
Semester 1 • Completion of at least two GCE
O-Level subjects including passing of
100.1: 101.1: 102.1: 103.1: English or equivalent or completion
Foundations of Principles of Sound and Scriptwriting Digital Photography of SAE certificate; and
Journalism Sound Production and Storyboarding • Mature age of over 17 years;
For international students:
Semester 2 - IELTS overall band score 6.0 or
above; or
100.2: 101.2: 102.2: 103.2: - TOEFL overall grade of 550 or
Writing Skills Introduction to Audio Digital Audio and Video Multimedia Graphic
for Journalism Technology Production Design
above (paper-based); or
- TOEFL overall grade of 213 or
Semester 3 above (computer-based); or
- TOEFL overall grade of 79 or above
(internet-based); or
201.1: 104.2: 104.1: 201.2: - A high school transcript showing
Research Methods Studio Production Audio Visual Production Web Technology
proof of satisfactory English to year
10 or higher.
Semester 4

202.1: 202.2:
Journalism Practice Editorial Production

Point of completion for Diploma of Digital Journalism

DIGITAL JOURNALISM UNITS and storyboards and animatics for projects in Module 201: Journalism Techniques
many media.
Module 100: Introduction to Journalism 201.1 Research Methods: This unit
102.2 Digital Audio & Video Production: will provide students with analytical
100.1 Foundations of Journalism: This unit is a In this unit, the theoretical and practical research abilities that are fundamental for
guide to the fundamentals of news media. It aims implications of the use of digital video informed journalism. Emphasis will be on
to enable students to develop an understanding and audio are examined. Students will be critical thinking skills needed to evaluate
of journalism and how the global news media provided with a range of skills and theoretical potential research methodologies and
works. The course provides a solid foundation knowledge necessary for the production of analysis, interviewing and surveying
in the history of journalism, changes in media, digital video and audio. techniques, Internet and print-based
law and ethics, as well as providing an industry sources.
overview. Module 103: Visual Design
201.2 Web Technology: This unit
100.2 Writing Skills for Journalism: Students 103.1 Digital Photography: This introduces students to different tools
are introduced to descriptive, expository, and unit introduces the fundamentals of needed to become an online journalist.
persuasive writing techniques essential for photojournalism. Students will learn how to This course will teach basic website
modern journalism. Emphasis will be placed capture images on the move that will support design using static code in HTML and
on grammar, syntax and journalist style, with their print journalism in a variety of areas, CSS and various content management
a focus on writing for credibility and avoiding such as feature news, sports, and glamour. systems so that students will learn how
logical fallacies. Computer-based imaging, editing, and to integrate text, design, and audio visual
enhancement will also be covered. elements into a seamless whole.
Module 101: Introduction to Audio Production
103.2 Multimedia Graphic Design: This Module 202: Advanced Journalism
101.1 Principles of Sound and Sound foundation unit will introduce students
Production: This unit deals with the theory of to specific multimedia, graphic and 202.1 Journalism Practice: This unit
sound and characteristics of the human ear typographical tools used in the field. Student equips students with the skills they
which affect the human perception of sound. will learn basic design theory, and how to need in the field to move from basic
Students are guided through the sound critically evaluate visual design elements. preparations to a finished piece of new
production process and equipment requirements media journalism. Students will hone their
for sound production. Module 104: Audio Production observation skills and learn important
time management skills. Student will
101.2 Introduction to Audio Technology: 104.1 Audio Visual Production: This unit also learn about the business aspects of
Students are introduced to equipment used in aims to install a basic working knowledge of journalism, the importance of PR and how
sound production. A practical hands on approach the stages and technologies involved in a to pitch freelance work.
to this unit enables them to develop a thorough digital film project with particular emphasis on
working knowledge of such equipment. the editing process. 202.2 Editorial Production: This unit
prepares students to report, write and
Module 102: Video Narrative 104.2 Studio Production: This unit deals present news for radio, television and
with the sound recording studio and students any electronic media. Working in teams,
102.1 Scriptwriting and Storyboarding: This are taught proper production and post students will learn how to produce an
unit will introduce students to the concepts and production techniques required to achieve online news magazine using integrated
practices of developing and actualising scripts quality sound production content. design of print, audio, and visual media.

Call +65 6333 4384 - visit www.sae.edu SAE Institute Course Information
 DIGITAL JOURNALISM FAQ (FreQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)
Q: What is ‘Digital Journalism’?

A: Digital Journalism refers to journalism that can be gathered and broadcast by a small unit of independent reporters, including
individual reporters. By merging traditional journalism skills with digital technological know-how, Digital Journalism creates
reporters who can report from almost anywhere both professionally and independently.

Q: Are digital journalists ‘real’ journalists?

A: Yes! The field of digital journalism is rapidly becoming established and respected by both news media audiences and
broadcasters. The Diploma program at SAE Institute ensures that our students learn the fundamentals of good reporting along
with the technological skills required for professional independent journalists in the 21st Century.

Q: What kind of jobs can I get as a digital journalist?

A: There are many kinds of career paths your diploma can set you on. You may find work in traditional news media companies,
or you may work as a ‘stringer’, or paid freelancer, for existing companies. On the other hand, you may simply report your own
material and sell it to existing companies, or work as a freelancer, or a full-time blogger, or as a fact-gathering journalist for
NGOs or government bodies. The field really is wide open.

Q: Where can I find examples of digital journalists work?

A: Currently most major global news outlets and wire services, including the BBC, Al Jazeera, Yahoo! News, Reuters, CNN,
Associated Press, The New York Times, and The Nation (Thailand) all use material provided by independent journalists,
including both written as well as broadcast quality audio and video packages. There are also professional news outlets that
use independent material exclusively, including ProPublica and Global Post. Many independent journalists also operate—and
earn revenue—from their own blogs and websites.

Q: How long is the diploma course at SAE Institute?

A: The Diploma program is divided into four semesters of about 12 weeks each, and a little over a dozen modules, across the
range of journalism, audio and video production, and integrated web design. The courses may be roughly broken out as: Jour
nalism 40%, Audio 20%, Video 20% and Multimedia 20%.

Q: What can I expect to learn on the diploma program?

A: Students on the program will learn the fundamentals of journalism, including critical writing and research techniques including
interviewing skills, plus the essentials of digital photography, video, audio, and multimedia production. It is an integrated
course that will enable graduates to create, produce, and distribute their own professional content.

Q: Does SAE Institute offer any placement or internship programs?

A: We are actively in discussion to place our students or their work with a major online news provider.

Q: Can professional reporters gain something from the course?

A: Absolutely! If professional journalists want to sign up for the program to brush up on their technical skills, and if they have the
relevant work experience, we can grant credit for the academic courses so they can focus more on the technical aspects of
the program.

Q: I’m interested in documentary films and community involved media, but not really ‘journalism’. Will I benefit from this
diploma course?

A: Yes! Not all journalism is about ‘breaking news’ or big media events. The skills and technical knowledge that you will learn
on this course are also applicable to creating documentary films or audio/video packages, or even professional level
community-based blogs.

Q: I’m interested in writing my own blog, but I don’t have the background in writing and research.

A: SAE Institute also offers a 30 hour short course in Journalism for Bloggers that will teach the fundamentals of web-based
journalism and writing for the web.

Q: Who can I contact if I want to enroll for the Digital Journalism Diploma program at SAE Institute located in
Singapore?

A: You may contact Lieberty, who is responsible for all the enrollment matters. Her email address is l.chalang@sae.edu

Call +65 6333 4384 - visit www.sae.edu SAE Institute Course Information