APPENDIX A BA Journalism

757 Pages·2017·7.1 MB·English

Middlesex University Research Repository
An open access repository of
Middlesex University research
http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk
Hughes, Margaret (2017) Journalism: finding its space in a new university. An exploration of
how journalism education has developed within the University of the West of Scotland.
[Doctorate by Public Works]
Final accepted version (with author’s formatting)
This version is available at: https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/22863/
Copyright:
MiddlesexUniversityResearchRepositorymakestheUniversity’sresearchavailableelectronically.
Copyright and moral rights to this work are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners
unlessotherwisestated. Theworkissuppliedontheunderstandingthatanyuseforcommercialgain
is strictly forbidden. A copy may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial, research or study
without prior permission and without charge.
Works, including theses and research projects, may not be reproduced in any format or medium, or
extensive quotations taken from them, or their content changed in any way, without first obtaining
permissioninwritingfromthecopyrightholder(s). Theymaynotbesoldorexploitedcommerciallyin
any format or medium without the prior written permission of the copyright holder(s).
Full bibliographic details must be given when referring to, or quoting from full items including the
author’s name, the title of the work, publication details where relevant (place, publisher, date), pag-
ination, and for theses or dissertations the awarding institution, the degree type awarded, and the
date of the award.
If you believe that any material held in the repository infringes copyright law, please contact the
Repository Team at Middlesex University via the following email address:
[email protected]
The item will be removed from the repository while any claim is being investigated.
See also repository copyright: re-use policy: http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/policies.html#copy
APPENDIX A

BA Journalism (OUVS)
MODULES March 2003
1
11. MODULE DESCRIPTORS

YEAR 1

CORE (80 credits) SHE Level Credit
News Reporting I 1 20
Newsgathering & Research Skills 1 10
Newspaper Subediting & Text Handling 1 10
Feature Writing 1 10
Introduction to Law for Journalists 1 10
Foundation Skills* 1 20

OPTION (40 credits)
Shorthand 1 20
History of News 1 10
Media Organisations in the UK 1 10
Introduction to Philosophy* 1 20
Social Psychology* 1 10
Languages Foundation A* 1 20
Language & Culture I * 1 20

* denotes previously validated modules
2
BA Journalism

Module Title: News Reporting I

Level: 1

Credit value: 20

Core/Option: Core

Pre-requisites: None

Time Allocation: 200 hours of notional student learning, of which a maximum of 70
hours will be organised class contact and a minimum of 130 hours
will be assessment, directed and independent study

Module Co-ordinator: Amanda Geary

Rationale

To provide an introduction to the concept of news, accuracy and deadlines as well as developing
competencies in producing news copy.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to:-

1. Define and explain the concept of news.

2. Understand and assess the news values of a broad range of stories.

3. Identify and explain official and unofficial sources of news.

4. Demonstrate an awareness of the roles and responsibilities of a newspaper and its journalists
covering a specific geographical area.

5. Produce clear, concise and grammatically correct copy which conforms to industry
standards in terms of language and structure (inverted pyramid, five W’s).

6. Produce a range of news stories appropriate for local weekly and regional newspapers.

Module Outline

An introduction to the concept of news and news values.

The fundamentals of writing news.

Writing for local newspapers.

The roles and responsibilities of the local newspaper journalist.

3
Teaching and Learning Approaches

Lectures, tutorials, group exercises using appropriate learning technology and directed study linked
to required reading.

Assessment Procedure

Coursework: 40%
Examination: 60%

L/O 1 & 2 Essay x 1,000 words (20%)

L/O 5 & 6 Portfolio of news writing x 1,000 words (20%)

L/O 3 & 4 Final Examination - Closed Book (60%)

Pass Criteria

Minimum of 40% of overall marks available.

Indicative Reading List

Core Texts
Hodgson, F.W. (1996), Modern Newspaper Practice: A Primer on the Press, 4th Ed, Focal Press.
Harris, G. and Spark, D. (2000), Practical Newspaper Reporting, 3rd Ed, Focal Press.

Additional Reading
Bagnall, N. (1993), Newspaper Language, Focal Press.
Browne, C. (1999), The Journalist’s Handbook, A & C Black.
Franklin, B. and Murphy, D. (1998), Making the Local News: Journalism in Context, Routledge.
Frost, C. (2002), Reporting for Journalists, Routledge.
Harcup, T. (2004), Journalism Principles and Practice, SAGE Publications.
Hicks, W. (1998), English for Journalists, Routledge.
Hicks, W. (1999), Writing for Journalists, Routledge.
Manning, P. (2001), News and News Sources: A Critical Introduction, SAGE Publications.
McNair, B. (2003), News and Journalism in the UK, 4th Ed, Routledge.
Palmer, J. (2000), Spinning into Control, Continuum Publishing.
Randall, D. (2000), The Universal Journalist, 2nd Ed, Pluto Press.

Newspapers
The Herald
The Evening Times
Hamilton Advertiser
East Kilbride News
Lanarkshire Extra
Rutherglen Reformer
Wishaw Press
The Glaswegian
The Metro

Useful Website addresses
www.journalismuk.co.uk
4
www.journalism.co.uk
www.bjr.org.uk
www.pressgazette.co.uk
www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk

5
BA Journalism

Module Title: Newsgathering and Research Skills

Level: 1

Credit Value: 10

Core/Option: Core

Pre-requisites: None

Time Allocation: 100 hours of notional student learning, of which a maximum of 40
hours will be organised class contact and a minimum of 60 hours will
be assessment, directed and independent study

Module Co-ordinator: Kenneth Pratt

Rationale

To provide students with practical skills in newsgathering, background research and news interview
techniques. To introduce a range of research methodological tools that can be applied to present and
future research projects.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to:-

1. Identify and gather news from a variety of personal contacts.

2. Develop appropriate interview skills, face-to-face, online and by telephone.

3. Develop a broad range of personal contacts.

4. Explain the key stages in the research process.

5. Identify and discuss methodologies appropriate to research for journalism.

6. Identify, evaluate and use paper, electronic and online resources.

Module Outline

The purposes and uses of research in journalism.

Research design and methodology.

Identification of suitable questioning techniques and the psychology of interviewing.
6
The fundamentals of sourcing news using established news sources and press officers.

Internet research methods and the use of effective interview techniques on the Net.

The methodology of research and the creation of repetitive contact networks.

Teaching and Learning Approaches

Lectures, seminars, group exercises, Internet use, research using appropriate technology including
the Internet, telephone interviews, archives research, electronic cuttings, filming of interviews.

Assessment Procedure

Coursework: 40%
Examination: 60%

L/O 1 Essay x 750 words (10%)
L/O 2 Interview assignment (10%)
L/O 3 & 6 Essay x 1,500 words (20%)
L/O 4 & 5 Final Examination (Closed Book) (60%)

Pass Criteria

Minimum of 40% of overall marks available.

Indicative Reading List

Core Texts
Adams, S. and Hicks, W. (2001), Interviewing for Journalists, Routledge.
Harris, G. and Spark, D. (2000), Practical Newspaper Reporting, 3rd Ed, Focal Press.
Hodgson, F.W. (1996), Modern Newspaper Practice: A Primer on the Press, 4th Ed, Focal Press.
Keeble, R. (2001), The Newspaper Handbook, Routledge.
Additional Reading
Bausell, R. Barker (1991), Advanced Research Methodology: An Annotated Guide To Sources,
Scarecrow Press.
Meyer, P. (2001), The New Precision Journalism, Rowman & Littlefield.
Venables, J. (1993), What is News?, ELM Publications.
Brannen, J and Edwards, R (2004), Social Research Methodology, Theory and Practice,

Journals

Press Gazette British Journalism Review
British Educational Research Journal

Websites
www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk
www.pressgazette.co.uk
www.guardianunlimited.co.uk
7
BA Journalism

Module Title: Newspaper Sub-Editing & Text Handling

Level: 1

Credit Value: 10

Core/Option: Core

Pre-requisites: None

Time Allocation: 100 hours of notional student learning, of which a maximum of 40
hours will be organised class contact and a minimum of 60 hours will
be assessment, directed and independent study

Module Co-ordinator: Kenneth Pratt

Rationale

To offer a practical overview of the subbing techniques used in newspapers.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to:-

1. Recognise and select news as defined by industry.

2. Prioritise content values as defined by industry.

3. Write headlines, sub-headlines and picture captions.

4. Edit legally sound copy.

5. Edit copy for correct emphasis, grammar and accuracy and adherence to a range of house
styles.

Module Outline

Introduction to electronic sub-editing as applied in newspapers.

News values in industry and other theoretical perspectives.

The importance of legally sound sourcing in an electronic news environment.

The definition of textual editing as it applies to journalistic practice.

8
Use of effective English in newspapers.

Teaching and Learning Approaches

Lectures, seminars, live deadlines, simulated newsroom.

Assessment Procedure

Coursework: 40%
Examination: 60%

L/O 1 & 2 News selection assignment (20%)

L/O 3 Headline writing assignment (20%)

L/O 4, & 5 Final Examination (60%)

Pass Criteria

Minimum of 40% of overall marks available.

Indicative Reading List

Core Texts
Evans, H. (1996), Editing and Design: Newsman’s English, Butterworth Heinemann.
Evans, H. (2000), Essential English: For Journalists, Editors and Writers, Pimlico.
Additional Reading
Frost, C. (2003), Designing for Newspaper and Magazines, Routledge.
Harrower, T. (2001), Newspaper’s Designers Handbook, McGraw Hill Education.
Hicks, W. (1998), English for Journalists, Routledge.
Hicks, W. and Holmes, T. (2002), Subediting for Journalists, Routledge.
Hodgson, F.W. (1998), New Subediting, 3rd Ed, Butterworth Heinemann.
Meyer, P. (2001), The New Precision Journalism, Rowman & Littlefield.
Venables, J. (1993), What is News?, ELM Publications.

Journals

Press Gazette British Journalism Review

Websites

www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk www.pressgazette.co.uk
www.guardianunlimited.co.uk
9