MJO38013 - Journalism Skills for Newspapers: Print & Online

Objectives:

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

1 Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to fulfil the key roles and team co-ordination integral to the efficient operation of a press newsroom
2 Deploy core production skills in the creation and transmission of written materials
3 Demonstrate knowledge of and critical reflection upon the intellectual, social and technical skills integral to achieving high standards of professional practice in the production of written news
4 Mobilise all the skills, knowledge and reflective considerations acquired in MJO 18013, MJO 28003 and MJO 48002

Content:

Establishing news values; generating story leads; covering diary jobs; establishing treatment of stories and potential stories; researching and gathering information; developing relationships with sources; recognizing ethical issues and other aspects of professional conduct; generating news copy; generating features copy; working to deadlines; writing to word limits; writing to target audience; participating in editorial conferences; handling photographs and writing picture captions; learning the principles of basic newspaper design; acquiring skills in the use of QuarkXpress; developing subbing skills; developing on-line writing skills; acquiring skills in video journalism and basic video editing skills.

Learning and Teaching Information:

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

QuarkXpress training sessions.
Online and video journalism training sessions.
Sequential news days
Group and individual artefact production
Day-release periods into local newspapers

Lectures
Contact hours: 30
Number of Groups: 1

Tutorials (individual)
Contact hours: 5
Number of Groups: 12

Newsdays
Contact hours: 246
Number of Groups: 1

Additional Assessment Information
The portfolio would normally include six news stories and two features of which at least two will have appeared online: a) as a web page showing where it has been updated and added to from an original newspaper story and showing evidence of having used a form of social networking such as Twitter and/or Facebook; and b) as a piece of audio or video.

In addition, trainees will maintain a reflective log book which acts as a prerequisite for progression to MJO 38011.

Other Relevant Matters
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.

Assessment: