JOU6922 - Practical Journalism 3

Objectives:

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

1 Demonstrate a systematic understanding of/and competences in applying feature values and treatments to news subjects for print and online publication
2 Identify and locate relevant specialised sources and ideas for features and undertake appropriate research and interviews
3 Employ the appropriate writing style, content and structure for in-depth feature articles
4 Demonstrate independence, initiative and self-management in undertaking journalistic work and presenting a professional portfolio of work
5 Demonstrate a systematic understanding of professional preparation relating to job interviews and applications

Content:

In this module students will be to apply and develop practical writing skills acquired at levels 4 and 5 to produce in-depth, researched feature articles. The module will look at how features have developed as a key area of content, the different ways in which feature writing is used by the news media and the different writing styles applicable in this format. This will be viewed in the context of both print and online publication.
Students will look at how ideas for features are sourced, how they are researched and how they are made distinct from news content covering the same subject areas. The emphasis is on understanding and developing practical skills in this area. Students will also demonstrate their employability skills and professional readiness by preparing a professional portfolio and undertaking a mock job interview.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module is taught via lectures and interactive seminars and workshops, including newsroom sessions where students replicate professional experience and write to deadline.

Lectures
Total student hours: 5
Inteded Group size: cohort

Seminars
Total student hours: 5
Inteded Group size: 25

Workshops
Total student hours: 20
Intended group size: 25

Professional interview
Total student hours: 2
Intended Group size:individual

Guided independant study
Total student hours: 168

Additional assessment information

The Features Portfolio will normally contain 3 pieces of work. No single piece of work can be shorter than 700-words and no single piece of work can be longer than 1,500 words.
The mock interview for employment and portfolio presentation will require students to prepare and submit a professional portfolio of work and curriculum vitae, as they would at professional interview, and undertake a mock interview. At the end of the process, they will submit a 500-word reflection on their strengths and weaknesses

Assessment:

001 Feature 1 x 800 words 20%
002 Features portfolio 1 x 3000 words 60%
003 Mock Interview for employment, portfolio presentation and reflection 1 x 1200 word equivalent 20%


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