JOU4016 - Essential Journalism 1

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

This module draws together the essential skills required by journalists and provides practical and theoretical opportunities for learning and application. The module includes the following:

Practical journalism strand: news and factual content writing, online presentation, SEO, social media, visual communication, TV, Radio, photography, interviewing, news sourcing and story development. This strand includes delivery of required skills as determined by industry and accrediting bodies such as the NCTJ. Sports Journalism students will be taught separately to the rest of the cohort for the majority of this strand, with specific sport-focus on their content production. Class numbers for the practical strand will be capped at 30, with broadcast elements capped at 15.

Media law & regulation strand: Introduction of media law required in basic journalism and content creation. Also covers industry regulation (IPSO and Ofcom). This strand includes delivery of required skills as determined by industry and accrediting bodies such as the NCTJ & BJTC; this includes voice training for broadcast journalism students.

Theoretical journalism strand: introduction of academic skills, including literature searching, citation and referencing, academic writing. This strand also introduces theoretical concepts and the role of journalism in society.

Professional development: including introduction to industry and workplace required standards.

Assessment reflects the above elements and integrates strands to encourage a holistic approach to skills, theory and practice.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Workshops
Hours: 70
Intended Group Size: Studio/technical sessions - 15 students max or 30 with 2nd tutor/technician to meet accreditation requirements

Seminars
Hours: 24
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Lectures
Hours: 12
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 494

PORTFOLIO 1:
This may include but is not restricted to: group / individual production tasks, live event tasks, academic skills test, law and regulation tasks. Further details will be included in the module handbook and can be viewed in the supplementary documents.

PORTFOLIO 2:
This may include but is not restricted to: Professional skills project, academic essay, individual production task, law and regulation tasks. Further details will be included in the module handbook and can be viewed in the supplementary documents.

Students will have opportunities for formative assessment across the year, with feed-forward in class and, where appropriate, in writing. There will be opportunities for negotiated assessment during Portfolio 1. For example, students will have a choice of roles within the group production task.

Assessment:

001 Portfolio 1; equivalent to 4,800 Words; mid semester 1 40%
002 Portfolio 2; equivalent to 7,200 Words; end of semester 1 60%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Darren Harper
Level - 4
Credit Value - 60
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S1

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