Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of professional skills
Demonstrate and reflect on transferrable skills required for employment and assess level of preparedness for the working world
Reflect on personal strengths and weaknesses
Demonstrate sector knowledge and understanding, particularly in the context of employment opportunities
Demonstrate a proficiency in accurate and comprehensive note-taking;
Apply knowledge and skills in the workplace and perform to a satisfactory standard during the placement block

Content:

This module supports students in understanding the different opportunities open to them in the workplace, the skills employers are looking for and helps them develop the employability skills required in the workplace.
At the end of this module students will take part in an intensive two-week professional skills preparation block before undertaking an industry placement.
As part of this module, students will also embark on intensive training in fast note taking using the journalism industry standard shorthand, Teeline, and be required to work towards speeds of 80-100 wpm.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module will be taught in interactive workshop sessions.

Placement preparation workshops
Hours: 20
Intended Group size: Cohort

Shorthand
Hours: 40 minimum
Intended Group size: 25

Placement (including placement preparation block)
7 weeks

Guided independent study
Hours: 140

Further details relating to assessment

In order to pass this modules students will need to:

1) Achieve an overall numeric pass mark for the written elements of assessment. This will be the combined mark from the directed activities, Portfolio 1 and the weekly work reflections.
2) Pass the professional placement
3) Comply with the shorthand requirements for their programme of study (see notes under shorthand section below).

Directed activities: these consist of weekly tasks that must be completed and submitted for inspection at timetabled sessions each week. The assessment will be assessed on a pass/fail basis with a pass requiring at least 75% of all weekly tasks to be completed successfully. A pass will lead to the full award of 10% towards the final module mark. A fail in directed activities will contribute 0% to the final mark.

Portfolio 1 will typically include a CV and application letter, a mock professional interview and sector analysis.

SHORTHAND

Students on all Journalism programmes are required to undertaking shorthand theory classes in Semester 1.

Students on BA (Hons) Journalism must continue with shorthand in Semester 2 and work towards speed assessments as a condition of being on a programme which is professionally-accredited by the NCTJ. The minimum speed students are expected to attain is 60wpm. In order to achieve a pass in this module, students on the BA (Hons) Journalism programme must make a serious attempt at a 60wpm speed assessment. This requirement is in place for students on this programme as part of the requirements of its professional accreditation by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. In order to be eligible for the NCTJ Diploma, students must also pass an NCTJ test at a speed of at least 60wpm.

Students on the BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism, BA (Hons) Magazine Journalism and BA (Hons) Sports Journalism programmes may choose to continue with shorthand in Semester 2. Those who opt to continue with shorthand will be required at make a serious attempt at a 60wpm speed assessment in order to pass.

Those who opt not to continue with shorthand will be required to undertake an alternative essay assessment.

The teaching of Teeline Shorthand is informed by professional expectations in industry that all trainee journalists learn shorthand. Students will be assessed via NCTJ shorthand examinations.

Shorthand is one of the core examinations in the NCTJ Diploma and students MUST obtain shorthand at a speed of at least 60wpm in a NCTJ exam in order to be eligible for the NCTJ Diploma. To be eligible for the Gold Standard Diploma, students must achieve 100wpm.

Assessment:

001 Portfolio 1; 2,000 words; During Semester 1 and Semester 2 70%
002 Directed activities throughout the year 10%
003 Shorthand; Pass/Fail; During/End of Semester 2 0%
004 Placement (7 weeks including 2 week placement preparation block); Pass/Fail; End of Semester 2 0%
005 Weekly Work Reflection; End of Semester 2 20%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL