JOU4952 - Public Affairs

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure, finance, operation and responsibilities of local government, central government and European government
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
Show an awareness of the current issues and debates facing local and central government
Identify local and central government issues of interest to the public and write about them in an engaging and accessible way

Content:

The content for this module follows the NCTJ 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 electoral system in the UK, discusses how governments and local authorities are held to account and helps students to develop an understanding of how to access information from public bodies. It also looks at the workings 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:

This module is taught via a series of interactive lectures and seminars which students are encouraged to link theory and knowledge on this subject area with journalistic practice.

Lecture
Contact hours: 20
Intended Group size: Cohort

Seminar
Contact hours: 20
Intended group size: 25

Independent guided learning hours
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
The online exams each consists of 20 multiple-choice (five possible answers in each) based on the topics covered so far in the module. The first is based on local government. The second is based on central government. They are taken under exam conditions. The portfolio proposal must contain evidence of attendance at public meetings (e.g. council or health service) with evidence of research and a proposal for at least one story or news feature to be included in their portfolio.

The portfolio itself 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 be expected to enter for the exam at the end of second Semester.

Assessment:

001 Online in class assessment (Multiple choice questions) week 22 15%
002 Online in class assessments (Multiple choice questions) week 27 15%
003 Portfolio Proposal 1 x 1000 words half way through sem 2 wk 22 20%
004 Portfolio 1 x 2000 word equiv end of semester 2 50%


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