Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the structures and processes of local government and public services in the United Kingdom.
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the structures and processes of central government and public services in the United Kingdom.
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the relationship of British government to the European Union.
Demonstrate understanding of how journalists can access information of public interest from local, central and European government and associated bodies.

Content:

Content for this module follows the NCTJ Diploma syllabus for Essential Public Affairs. Public Affairs examines the structure, finance operation and responsibilities of local and central government, as well as European government and looks at constitution in the UK, the monarchy and issues of devolution.
It covers the electoral system in the UK, discusses how governments and local authorities are held to account and helps 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, you are encouraged to develop an 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:

Traditional powerpoint lectures, followed by seminars in which students are tested on their knowledge, via paper-based exercises, discussions and online quizzes (similar to those used in the summative assessments).

Lectures
Contact Hours: 12

Seminars
Contact Hours: 12

Guided Independent Study
Hours: 176

Assessment:

001 2 x Online, Multiple-Choice Exams; One Hour in total. 20%
002 Unseen Exam; 1.5 Hours. 40%
003 Portfolio of 1,500 words or Individual Presentation of 10 minutes; End of Semester Two 40%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 6
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 6YL