JOU5404 - Practical Journalism 2: Specialist Reporting

Objectives:

Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the range of specialist reporting fields
Demonstrate a critical understanding of the differences in style and content involved with specialist reporting compared to general news reporting
Demonstrate the ability to generate, develop and research ideas
Apply practical journalism skills within a specialist context
Demonstrate knowledge of a content management system and skills in the creation of online content according to established guidelines of best professional practice

Content:

Students will examine key areas of specialist reporting such as health, business, education and entertainment through formative and summative practical exercises in class, with articles published online. The practical work will be set within the context of specialist reporting issues, including the use of authoritative sources, research and interview skills, specialist writing styles, and the role of the internet in terms of both research and publication. Students will be introduced to a content management system/s in Semester 2 and will be required to prepare and display content (for example, headlines, text, images, captions, hyperlinks, social media widgets) as individuals in an industry-standard online format.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module is taught via a series of interactive workshops and assessment workshops which are run as professional newsroom sessions.

Workshops
Contact hours: 80
Intended Group size: 30

Guided independent study
Hours: 320

Further details relating to assessment
Portfolio 1 would normally include 4 x 400 word specialist news articles submitted to deadline on “newsroom days” throughout Semester 1. At the end of semester, students will be expected to submit all stories to Moodle and identify in no more than 100 words which is their best story and why. This story will be given awarded the numeric mark.

Portfolio 2 would normally include 4 x 600 word equivalent specialist news articles*, designed and uploaded to a website to deadline on “newsroom days” throughout Semester 2. At the end of semester, students will be expected to submit all stories to Moodle and identify in no more than 100 words which is their best story and why. This story will be given awarded the numeric mark.

*Articles would normally include supplementary articles/factfiles/social media postings, headlines, photos, captions, etc. Note: During taught sessions throughout semesters 1 & 2, students will be obliged to submit peer feedback and marks, and also story pitches that will be vital for the successful completion of the module. The exercises are linked to the module objectives. In order to ensure that students engage fully during these sessions, they receive pass/fail for their peer feedback and pitches (see above). If for any VALID reason students are unable to attend class, they must contact tutors to avoid losing vital marks at this stage. Students who do not file stories to deadline and complete the pass/fail portfolio will not be eligible for resit in this module. Students who have good reason for missing a deadline / submission must apply to the head of department for an extension.

Assessment:

001 Portfolio 1 (coursework) 1x 1,600 words equivalent end of Semester 1 30%
002 Portfolio 2 (coursework) 1x 2,400 words equivalent Semester 2 70%
003 In-class assessments/attendance at practical sessions (see note below) 16 x 100 words equivalent Pass/fail Throughout S 0%


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