Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Apply knowledge and skills in the work situation and perform to a satisfactory standard
Critically analyse the aims, structure and activities of a specific organisation or other structured professional experience
Apply and demonstrate an understanding of the laws and legal restrictions governing reporters
Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of Public Affairs, namely the structure, finance, operation and responsibilities of local government, central government and European government.

Content:

1. A professional development programme, typically two day-long events, with special reference to the journalism sector. The programme will comprise:

- reflection on the nature of work and ethical issues related to it;
- development of group work and team building;
- interviews with Placement Tutor
2. The law and regulation element module will build on and enhance on the study of law from Level 4, particularly focusing on defamation.
3. There is a new element called Holding Power to Account, which will (as in previous years) include defamation and but will expand to ensure students have a basic knowledge of the working of Public Affairs (government as it affects journalists).
4. Placement with suitable organisation(s), normally six weeks in total.
5. Critical reflection and evaluation of placement and Journalism Week

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module is taught via 1 hour interactive law lectures, designed to ensure students understand the key aspects of defamation law prior to their placement, as well as a series of professional development and employability seminars, where students have given access to key employers and professionals to inspire them as they prepare for placement. The placement itself is supported via tutor contact time, which can include telephone, email and personal contact..

Lectures: Law, Regulation and Public Affairs
Contact hours: 10
Intended Group size: Full cohort

Workshops: Work placement:
Contact hours: 10
Intended group size: Full cohort

Tutorial interview
Contact hours: 1
Intended Group size: 1

Placement liaison
Contact hours: 1
Intended group size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 178

Further details relating to assessment
1) One online assessment to cover Public Affairs. This will last 30 minutes and consist of 15-multiple-choice questions (each with six possible answers) on central and local government, the monarchy and European Union.

2) A 1,500-word report identifying and discussing the legal and regulatory risks in a real-life story of their choice but involving a UK-based, publicly-funded body. The report must also include an outline of the functions and funding of the organisation. This report will form 40 per cent of the mark for the module.

3) The practical element is normally of six weeks' duration and may comprise an external placement or other structured professional experience which meets the learning objectives of the module and involves an equivalent workload. In either case the placement will be the subject of explicit agreement between the student, supervisor, module coordinator and EPO.

4) The Placement Report (1500 words) should comprise an Organisation in Context (750 words) and a Case Study (750 words). The Organisation in Context will cover technological, political, economic and social factors affecting the host organisation. The Case Study will cover a story/event/campaign/project the student directly contributed to while at the company or organisation.

5) The Portfolio of daily reports (500 words in total) during Journalism Week (November) will require the student to complete a standard worksheet which you will hand in at the end of every day.
This exercise will require them to critically analyse the content and themes that emerge from the range of speakers each day.

Assessment:

001 Holding Power to Account: Online Assessments - 1 x 15 multiple-choice questions - Half-way through Semester 2. 10%
002 Work Placement - equivalent to 6 weeks 0%
003 Work placement report - 1,500 words - end of semester 2 40%
004 Holding Power To Account: Report - 1,500 words - towards end of semester 2 40%
005 Journalism Week: Report - 500 words - during semester 1 10%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Mr Dean Naidoo
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5YL