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2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM1345 Journalism News Skills

20 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: John Sinclair
Email: j.sinclair@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Module replaces

COMM1340 Journalism Research Tecniques

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

This module aims to develop the editorial skills required to produce a news story, from the research brief to the final multimedia output. Students are introduced to media research skills - the ability to spot a story, the investigative techniques of knowing who to ask, what to ask, how to ask, where to find out, and how to find out. The module also develops writing techniques, in particular styles for different news media, getting the facts right, getting the most important angle in the first sentence, writing to length, meeting deadlines and adhering to Media Law.
Students produce a multimedia report for the broadcast media, based on thorough research.

Learning outcomes
At the end of the module students should be able to:

1 Situate contemporary journalism practice and institutions within a broader academic context
2 Apply media research skills effectively in producing factual material for multimedia news output
3 Express information and ideas in a clearly constructed and coherent manner
4 Demonstrate proficiency in the capture, editing and manipulation of sound and/or images
5 Demonstrate an awareness of editorial and creative conventions in the production of multi-media reports
6 Apply conventions of visual and/or aural edit grammar effectively

Skills outcomes
Interviewing, desk research, understanding official documents, news writing, Online news production, recording and editing and writing for radio.


Syllabus

Teaching in lectures will outline the principles of media research; demonstrate the development of ideas into programmes; demonstrate newsgathering techniques based on research material and follow the development of a story idea through the research process into a coherent narrative. The lectures also provide critical insights into journalism studies, based on contemporary academic research.

The seminars will develop their research skills through a number of tasks, and concentrate on how the research translates into a multimedia artefact. They also provide a learning space for critical reflection on key ideas and debates within journalism studies.

Students will also have weekly practical workshops, which will explore, radio recording and editing skills, interviewing techniques and online skills. They will demonstrate their proficiency in these skills in two formative ‘newsday’ simulations.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Workshop26.0012.00
Lecture111.0011.00
Practical102.0020.00
Seminar101.0010.00
Private study hours147.00
Total Contact hours53.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Private study should be dedicated to research and preparation of the essay (approx 40 hours) and
research and preparation of the news research project, webpage and ‘newsdays’ (approx 107 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students have group presentations on a research task as a formative exercise prior to their individual project.
Formative feedback on Online and radio skills achieved through the weekly practical sessions. Additionally, two Newsday simulations will provide a formative learning experience for students

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2,500 - 3,000 word essay40.00
PracticalMulti-MediaOnline news page60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 03/08/2015

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