Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and a critical understanding of magazine feature writing.
Apply appropriate writing styles and content to specific print and online magazines, addressing target readerships. Generate, develop and research ideas.
Develop contacts and use relevant sources and research.
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 skills and techniques used in magazine feature writing through formative and summative practical exercises in class, with articles published online. The practical work will develop important magazine journalism techniques including the use of authoritative sources, research and interview skills, magazine 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 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:

Lectures
Contact hours: 8
Intended Group size: Full cohort

Workshops
Contact hours: 72
Intended group size: 25

Guided independent study
Hours: 320

Further details relating to assessment
Portfolio 1 will normally include a total of 1,600 words of original magazine features, submitted to deadlines throughout Semester 1.
At the end of the 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 awarded the numeric mark.

Portfolio 2 would normally include a total of 2,400 words of original magazine features, uploaded to an online format on deadlines throughout semester 2. At the end of the semester, students will be expected to submit all their stories to Moodle and identify in no more than 100 words which is their best story and why. This story will be awarded the numeric mark. Articles would normally include supplementary articles, factfiles, social media postings, sidebars, headlines, photos, captions etc according to current industry design.

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 - 2,000 word equivalent - end of semester 1 30%
002 Portfolio 2 - 2,000 word equivalent - end of semester 2 30%
003 In class assessment - 8 x 100-word equivalent - throughtout semester 1 20%
004 In class assessment - 8 x 100-word equivalent - throughtout semester 2 20%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Dave Barnett
Level - 5
Credit Value - 40
Pre-Requisites - JOU4436 MAGAZINE JOURNALISM 1
Semester(s) Offered - 5YL