This module aims to set the processes and outputs of UK journalism within their historical and literary context. Students will develop an understanding of how journalism developed as a commercial activity and a recognisable profession in the nineteenth century and how these beginnings influenced the shape of journalism throughout the twentieth century, with the growth of the tabloid press, the battles of the press barons, the rise and fall of the power of the print unions and the growth of consumer and lifestyle journalism. Students will discuss and debate key issues such as the growth of campaigning and investigative journalism and the freedom of the press in a democratic society.
Students will be introduced to the journalism of such writers as Defoe, Swift, Steele, Dickens, as well as more modern literary journalists such as George Orwell. They will develop an understanding of how these writers helped shape the course of journalism. They will also have the opportunity of studying two key texts in depth, chosen as examples of literary journalism, and examining them in their historical, cultural and theoretical contexts.
Students will be introduced to the journalism of such writers as Defoe, Swift, Steele, Dickens, as well as more modern literary journalists such as George Orwell. They will develop an understanding of how these writers helped shape the course of journalism. They will also have the opportunity of studying two key texts in depth, chosen as examples of literary journalism, and examining them in their historical, cultural and theoretical contexts.
This module will be delivered through weekly one hour lectures and related one hour seminars. Seminars will include debates on the themes explored in lectures, assessed presentations using students' archive research and in-depth analysis of specified texts. Background reading will be an essential part of progressing through the module and students will be required to take out a reader's card for the British Library as part of their assessment.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lecture/Seminar | 44 |
| Guided independent study | 256 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The assessments aim to test students' comprehension of key developments in the journalism history and literary journalism, as well as their ability to read texts closely and carry out informed archive research.
During the semester students will have opportunities for feedback on their work and progress and summative assessments will be spread evenly across the year. A variety of summative assessments will give students opportunities to play to their strengths.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Show a critical understanding of how the journalism industry has been shaped by past developments, tensions and cycles | Analysis of archives (formative); presentation (summative); essay (summative) |
| Demonstrate a critical understanding of the emergence and application of concepts such as a free press | Analysis of archives (formative); presentation (summative); essay (summative) |
| Carry out research using online, print and microfilm archives and use this to inform their understanding of the history of journalism | Analysis of archives (formative): presentation (summative) |
| Present detailed, critical knowledge of key texts chosen as outstanding examples of literary journalism | Class discussion of set texts (formative); Examination (summative) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Written exam | Written exam | 50 |
| PRC | Group presentation and seminar facilitation (hour-long) | 30 |
| Coursework | 1000 word essay | 20 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Conboy, Martin (2010) Journalism in Britain: a critical introduction London: Sage
Curran J and Seaton J (2007) Power without responsibility 7th edition London: Routledge
Williams, K (2009) Read all about it: the history of the British newspaper London: Routledge
Richard Keeble and Sharon Wheeler (2007), The journalistic imagination: literary journalists from Defoe to Capote and Carter London: Routledge
Robert S. Boynton (2005) The new new journalism : conversations with America's best nonfiction writers on their craft Vintage
Cox H and Mowatt M (2014) Revolutions from Grub Street: A history of magazine publishing in Britain Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Evans, Harold (2011) Good Times, Bad Times Bedford Square Books
Fenton, Natalie (ed) (2010), New media, old news: Journalism and democracy in the digital age, Sage: London
Greenslade, Roy (2004) Press gang: how newspapers make profits from propaganda London: Pan
Horrie C (2003) Tabloid Nation London: Andre Deutsch
Keeble, Richard (2012) The Phone Hacking Scandal: Journalism on Trial, Arima Publishing