JOU6073 - Public Interest Reporting

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

This module is aimed at students who want to hone their professional public interest reporting skills and also obtain shorthand to enhance their employability. The module will explore the role of journalism in a democracy and in civic communities and will teach shorthand note-taking with the aim of reaching speeds of 60-100wpm. Students will work mainly independently outside the taught shorthand sessions to put their shorthand to practical use by attending council meetings and court and other public meetings if applicable, and to create a portfolio of reporting.

The module aims to get students to attain the NCTJ shorthand diploma module demanded by news employers.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Shorthand workshops
Hours: 90
Intended Group Size: 30

Media law workshops (including formative examination)
Hours: 30
Intended Group Size: 30

Court visits
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: 30

Supervision
Hours: 3
Intended Group Size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 167

Further details relating to assessment
The portfolio: this is a series of reporting pieces that may take the form of different media in discussion with tutors (e.g. reporting a court case to camera). In line with NCTJ industry standards, students should aim to reach shorthand speeds of 100 wpm. The following marking scheme will apply for module assessment:

120 wpm equates to 100%
100wpm equates to 85%
80 wpm equates to 65%
70 wpm equates to 55%
60 wpm equates to 45%
30-50 wpm equates to 42%
Below 30 wpm equates to a marginal fail of 38%

Early Assessment: there will be a formative assessment within the first 4 weeks and this will help unpack the assignment details for the 1st assignment as well as guide and inform student preparation and help introduce the University grading system.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 6
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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