e-learning @ Divine Word University: Courses

Students who are preparing to communicate their ideas to the people of PNG must become good communicators both verbally and in writing. In this unit students focus on developing their skills in speaking effectively and in writing clear Standard English. Students make short speeches, engage in debates, conduct interviews and participate in group drama in order to improve their skills and confidence in communicating with people. Students practise different forms of writing, including news reports, summaries, critical responses and academic essays with attention to succinct sentence construction, verb tenses, spelling and vocabulary. Students begin to learn how to gather information, organise it logically and present it persuasively both orally and in writing.

It is essential that journalists have a broad knowledge of their own country and realise their civic duties in contributing to a vibrant civil society. Although students cannot be experts in every area, this unit aids their understanding of the PNG society and the sources of information for stories they are required to work on. The unit looks at how PNG works and who is responsible for what. Students will look at the functions of the national, provincial government and local level government, courts and the law, health and other essential services, tourism, business and industry, churches and religions, charities, aid organisations, NGOs, sporting and leisure groups. The students will also familiarise themselves with how critical national issues such as HIV/AIDS are being addressed by the various institutions and how journalists can assist in the fight against the spread of the virus.