MJO18013 - Professional Journalism Practices and Responsibilities (Print)

Objectives:

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

1 Demonstrate an understanding of and critically evaluate news values and news agenda in the United Kingdom
2 Identify and critically evaluate news and sources
3 Develop working relationships with sources
4 Demonstrate competences in researching, evaluating and gathering information
5 Demonstrate proficiency in news writing by type of format and length
6 Demonstrate proficiency in accessing and processing information via electronic means
7 Demonstrate proficiency in accurate and comprehensive note-taking

Content:

Exercises and instruction in the following:-
Spotting a news story or angle; prioritising news items and constructing the news agenda; researching; cultivating news sources; analysing complex information; data-accessing and extraction from the internet; teamwork and organisation of the news production process; telling a story with words, by prespecified length and by deadline; critically evaluating and being able to construct alternative narrative structures; story genre; house styles; target audience writing; interview in person, by phone and in press conferences; accurate and comprehensive note-taking.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Group workshops, structured upon introductory lectures and group or individualised exercises, either at college workstations or outside of college. Regular and frequent tutor feedback on work produced, conducted in individual and in group sessions.

Lectures
Contact hours: 30
Number of Groups: 1

Tutorials (individual)
Contact hours: 5
Number of Groups: 24


Shorthand
Contact hours: 180

Additional Assessment Information
The portfolio would normally involve a) a conference interview, which requires use of accurate and comprehensive note-taking, report writing for print and follow up exercises for online; and b) a 500-word blog and a video/audio interview (of 1-2 mins) on any aspect of Journalism Week.
The shorthand exam carries a numeric mark and assessment is based on achieving a minimum of 50 words per minute. Other relevant information The substance and assessment of this module, designed to comply with the QAA subject and levels benchmarks, is also influenced by the requirements of the industry accreditation bodies, the National Council for the Training of Journalists and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council.

Assessment: