The module incorporates involvement in the production of the campus newspaper, The River, and its web-based version, River Online as well as undertaking a period of at least two weeks work experience within a media organisation working in a professional environment producing and practising journalism.
Each student will take on an editorial role on The River as well as contributing news and feature articles. Roles may vary, but will allow students to observe and participate in essential activities which contribute to producing real journalism. Teaching takes place in our dedicated newsroom, equipped with live news feeds, online content management system, and industry-standard software packages including Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.
The placement will typically be for two weeks, although students who show initiative in negotiating more substantial work experience may be allowed to extend this period.
On completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate:
The module incorporates involvement in the production of a campus newspaper or website or magazine as well as a short period of work-based learning within a media organisation working in a professional environment producing and practising journalism.
For The River/RiverOnline, each student will take on an editorial role as well as contribute news and feature articles. Roles may vary, but will allow students to observe and participate in essential activities which contribute to producing real journalism.
The focus of the publications will be the university and its affairs but it will also reflect the neighbouring community and the general preoccupations of students. The publications will carry news, sport, cultural reporting, listings, lifestyle, features and advertising - all initiated, reported, written, edited and laid out by students using appropriate software. The publications will also provide an outlet for the best pieces of journalism produced by fellow students at Levels 4 and 5.
Some specific issues covered in the module will emerge from the day to day running of the newspaper or website or magazine. Core areas to be covered will include:
The placement will typically be for two weeks, although students who show initiative in negotiating more substantial work experience may be allowed to extend this period.
Roles and tasks undertaken during each placement may vary, but will allow students to observe and participate in essential activities which contribute to producing real journalism. Some of the key areas include:
The module leader will act as editor-in-chief for the campus newspaper, website or magazine. She or he will appoint editorial and management teams (to serve in 4/5 week stints) and will provide guidance through weekly editorial meetings and workshops. Students will work with some supervision in the newsroom during their independent study time to produce the print and online publications.
Students will participate in briefing sessions before starting their period of work based learning. On return from the placement they will give a short presentation during the semester describing the experience and explaining what they have learned from it. Weekly seminars will explore reflective writing, work-based learning issues and career development.
Students will be supervised by a work placement tutor who, if possible, will visit during the placement. With the student's collaboration the placement tutor will draw up a work placement report which can be used to develop the work placement portfolio that forms the assessment. The placement provider will also be given the opportunity to appraise the student's work and this feedback will be made available.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | Seminars, workshops and news conference | 55 |
Guided independent study | Work experience, originating and producing publications, independent study for assessment | 235 |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
The assessment is designed to test students' ability to: reflect on their practical experience of journalism and operate within a multimedia environment; to make links between theory and practice and apply the skills necessary for journalism in a real setting by building a portfolio of real journalistic work.
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
A critical awareness of the constraints and pressures involved in producing newspapers | Formative assessment in the production of campus newspaper and work placement report; summative assessment in elements of the portfolios including critical self-appraisal of contribution, cuttings from The River or Riveronline; end-of-semester practical test; work-based learning presentation and reflective essay. |
The skills, discipline and attention to detail necessary to produce journalism in a real setting | Formative assessment in the production of campus newspaper and work placement report; summative assessment in elements of the portfolios including critical self-appraisal of contribution, cuttings from The River or Riveronline; end-of-semester practical test; work-based learning presentation and reflective essay. |
A critical understanding of the interaction of different editorial roles and functions needed to produce journalism | Summative assessment: Appraisal of contribution on The River and Riveronline. Reflective review and work placement presentation as part of portfolio |
The ability to use initiative in developing contacts and pursuing stories | Formative assessment in bringing ideas to editorial conferences. Summative assessment: Cuttings from The River or Riveronline. Work placement report and evidence of achievement in portfolio |
The ability to reflect critically on their own experience of practical journalism; | Summative assessment: appraisal of contribution on The River or Riveronline and of work experience. Reflective review and work placement presentation as part of portfolio |
A range of transferable skills (including autonomous working, negotiating skills, teamwork, responsiveness to deadlines and time management) | Formative assessment in working in the newsroom to produce campus newspaper. Summative assessment: Appraisal of contribution on The River or Riveronline; end-of-semester practical test; Work placement portfolio |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Coursework | Portfolio | 70 |
Coursework | Work placement portfolio | 30 |
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.