JOU4952 - Public Affairs

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure, finance, operation and responsibilities of local government, central government and European government.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure, finance, operation and responsibilities of key frontline services, including the NHS, Education, social services, transport, planning, environmental services and emergency services.
3. Show an awareness of current issues and debates facing local and central government.
4. Identify local and central government issues of interest to the public and write about them in an angaging and accessible way.

Content:

The content for the module follows the NCT J Diploma syllabus for Essential Public Affairs. It introduces students to the structure, finance operation and responsibilities of local and central government, and European government and looks at constitution in the UK, the monarchy and issues of devolution. The module covers the electral system in the UK, discusses how government and local authorities are held to account and helps students to develop and understanding of how to access information from public bodies. It also looks at the working of key frontline services, namely the NHS, education, social services, planning and environmental bodies, highways, transport and the emergency services. Throughout the module students are encouraged to develop their interest in public affairs, identify issues of interest to news audiences and understand how to translate those issues into a journalistic format.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lecture
Contact hours 20
Intended Group size: cohort

Seminar
Contact hours 20
Intended group size: 25

Independant guided learning hours Total: 160

Additional Assessment information
The portfolio will normally include a series of news reports based on attendance at meetings or interviews with government figures (eg councillors or MPs). The news reports can be submitted as print, online, audio or video pieces. The reports require students to engage with local and central government issues to identify stories of interest to a broad range of news audiences.

Students will be equipped to take the NCTJ Public Affairs exam at the end of this module and will expected to enter for the exam at the end of the second semester.

Assessment:

001 Portfolio Proposal 1 x 1000 words (end of sem 1) 20%
002 Portfolio 1 x 2000 words equivalent (end of sem 2) 50%
003 2 x online assessments 1 x 1000 words equivalent (end of sem 1 and 2) 30%


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