SAC5002 - Literary Journalism

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the functions of literary journalism in society
Demonstrate a broad understanding of the different styles and reportage techniques available from the history of the genre
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the genre's main technical, commercial, and ethical issues
Apply an appropriate range of critical and theoretical approaches to analyse these ethical debates
Construct a portfolio of writings that synthesises elements from the genre in a way that is appropriate to the chosen topic

Content:

In this module students will learn how journalism has played a key role in establishing the careers of many writers; (Jonathan Swift, Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, Truman Capote, Martha Gellhorn and Hunter S. Thompson).

As part of this, students will engage with, and reflect on, the history of literary journalism, from the 18th century to the development of new technology in the present day, including multi-platform delivery, and the subsequent implications for producers and consumers of news. It will look at the role which literary journalism plays in wider society.

The module explores different types of literary journalism and ethical and other issues around the reporting and coverage of a range of specialisms, such as war, crime, social movements, and politics. Students will explore the earliest origins of literary journalism, as well as 'new journalism' and 'Gonzo journalism'. After exploring the rich stylistic range as well as the potential ethical pitfalls of such literary journalism, students will be given the option to develop their own personal literary techniques and apply these to online journalistic assignments, or to write their own essay question, reflecting on journalist theory and applying it to the core texts.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module is taught via a series of interactive lectures and seminars designed to foster student understanding of literary journalism and critical debates. Seminar tasks and assessments are designed to ensure students are developing critical thinking, academic study skills and both individual and group presentation skills.

Seminars
Hours: 30
Intended group size: Full Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 170

Further details relating to assessment
Assessment 1 - Blog. This should be a reportage of their own engagement with the module in a style of literary journalism covered on the module (i.e. Gonzo journalism, or new journalism).
OR
Students may design their own essay question, and discuss journalist theory, applying it to the core texts.

Other relevant matters
For the assessment, the students will be asked to report on an issue of importance to them, in a style of journalism that is covered in the module. They will, in effect, become literary journalists. This module seeks to embrace digital humanities and the students will prepare and present their paper and research mythologies in an online format. They will also be asked to include a self-reflective report of how they engaged with the module.

Some students will want a more critical assessment, based on study and analysis, rather than a practical based assessment; there is the option for students to write their own essay question and focus on journalist theory and literary journalism. This will be 2,500 words.

Assessment:

001 Online Portfolio of 3 selected writings; 2,500 words; End of Semester One 60%
002 Reflective Report; 1,500 words; End of Semester One 40%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5S1

Click here to go back to previous page