Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Further develop a range of employability skills, including digital skills.

Apply knowledge and skills in the workplace, perform to a satisfactory standard and 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 regulatory codes governing journalists.

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 with special reference to journalism and related sectors.

The programme will comprise:

- reflection on the nature of work and ethical issues related to it
- development of employability skills, including digital skills
- development of group work and team building;
- interviews with Placement Tutor

2. The law and regulation element will build on and enhance on the study of law from Level 4, particularly focusing on defamation.

3. The Holding Power to Account element will 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 lectures, designed to ensure students understand the key aspects of defamation law and public affairs prior to their placement, as well as a series of professional development and employability seminars and workshops (guided and self-study). The placement itself is supported via tutor contact time, which can include telephone, email and personal contact.

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

Workshops: Employability and skills
Hours: 30
Intended group size: Full cohort

Tutorial interview
Hours: 1
Intended Group size: 1

Placement liaison
Hours: 1
Intended group size: 1

Placement
Hours: 210

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 1,000-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 30 per cent of the mark for the module.

The Professional Portfolio assessment is comprised of two elements. The first is linked to Journalism and Media Week and is a series of daily reports (500 words in total) which will require students to complete a standard worksheet to hand in at the end of every day. This exercise will require critical analysis of the content and themes that emerge from the range of speakers each day. The second element is linked to a series of practical workshops designed to develop employability skills. Full briefings on both elements of this portfolio will be given out during Semester 1.

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 (1,500 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.

Assessment:

001 Holding Power to Account: Online Assessments; 1 x 15 mcqs - Half-way through Semester 2. 10%
002 Holding Power To Account: Report ; 1000 words; towards end of semester 2 30%
003 Professional Development Portfolio; equivalent to 1000 words; towards the end of semester 2 20%
004 Work Placement ; equivalent to 6 weeks; Pass/Fail; end of semester 1 0%
005 Work placement report; 1500 words; end of semester 2 40%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - David Betts
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5YL