This is a core module taken by both all second year journalism students. It aims to expand, develop and hone the print and online skills acquired in Practical Journalism 1. The module will also explore how journalism is shaped by the legal and regulatory context in which it is practised. Students will focus on story development, writing and editing in print and online, layout and page design, and video story-telling. They will also learn Teeline shorthand, aiming to reach a speed of 60-100 wpm. They will acquire a working knowledge of libel, contempt and privacy law as well as court reporting skills.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The module will be delivered though weekly lectures, workshops and seminars. Lectures are designed to introduce students to the key features of particular topics while seminars allow ideas to be explored in more depth. Workshops will allow students to develop journalistic skills such as news writing, video making and shorthand note taking supported by formative feedback from workshop leaders.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | TB1 - one-hour lecture and two-hour workshop (news writing) 3x11 Two- hour workshop (Teeline) 2x11 (55 hours TOTAL FOR TB1) TB2 - one-hour lecture, one-hour seminar (law) - first seven weeks 2x7 = 14 One hour lecture and two hour workshop (court reporting) - final four weeks 3x4 = 12 4.5-hour workshop (Teeline) 4.5x11 = 49.5 Plus 5x2hours for video story telling = 10 TOTAL for TB1 - 55 TOTAL for TB2 - 85.5 | 140.5 |
Guided independent study | 159.5 | |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
Summative assessment is through 1. a portfolio of news writing 2. Law exam 3. In-class shorthand tests
Formative assessment will be delivered in the weekly writing, skills and Teeline workshops and in law seminars. The portfolio of news is put together across the two semesters with plenty of opportunity for feedback from one piece of journalism to improve later pieces.
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
Originate, research and develop news reports and features and write succinctly, captivatingly and accurately to a deadline | Formative assessment in workshops, summative assessment in portfolio of journalism |
Edit in print and online and design and layout attractive pages | Formative assessment in workshops, summative assessment in portfolio of journalism |
Produce a video news story | Formative assessment in workshops, summative assessment in portfolio of journalism |
Make an accurate Teeline shorthand note at 70-100 words per minute and transcribe it reliably. | Formative assessment in workshops, summative assessment in exams |
Engage with key debates about the regulatory and legal landscape in which journalism is practised | Formative assessment in seminars and summative assessment in exam |
Use their understanding of the law to produce safe and accurate court reports | Formative assessment in workshops and summative assessment in portfolio of journalism |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Written exam | Written examination | 30 |
PRC | In-class short-hand test | 20 |
Coursework | Coursework | 50 |
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
Dix, A (1990) Teeline Fast (Heinemann Educational)
Hanna, M and Dodd, M (eds) (2014) McNae's Essential Law for Journalists (Oxford University Press)
Hicks, W. et al (2013), Writing for Journalists (London: Routledge)
Adams, S. & Hicks, W. (2009) Interviewing for Journalists (London: Routledge)
Bradshaw, P & Rohumaa, L (2011) The Online Journalism Handbook: Skills to Survive and Thrive in the Digital Age (Longman Practical Journalism Series)
Frost, C (2010) Reporting for journalists (London: Routledge)
Hill, S and Lashmar, P (2014) Online Journalism: The Essential Guide (London:Sage)
Johnston, D (2006) Teeline for Journalists Heinemann Educational
Randall, D. (2011) The Universal Journalist (London: Pluto Press)