2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

COMM5690M Multimedia Journalism

30 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Adrian Quinn
Email: a.a.quinn@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Multimedia journalism provides a semester of intensive journalism practice to MA International Journalism students with either prior journalism experience or a keen interest in practical multi-media production. The module will emphasise how to research and report critically and analytically on a variety of story types, using audio, video, print and web based text, photographs, and combinations of media. Admission to the module will be limited to 20 students.

Objectives

1. development of understanding of the practical application of digital online journalism in public service news gathering, and an ability to critically evaluate the role of social network journalism and research, in news reporting and production.
2. development of skills in clear written and verbal communication and critical analysis of information using appropriate combinations of information media (audio, video, print, online text, and others)
3. acquisition of basic skills and knowledge which would enable graduates to work in a multi-media newsroom and report analytically for a variety of media
4. demonstrate basic understanding of key legal and ethical considerations in applied news work

Learning outcomes
Students should demonstrate the ability to:

1. initiate, develop and realise distinctive, creative, and analytical work within various forms of news output;
2. produce journalistic work showing capability in operational aspects of media production technologies, systems, techniques and professional practices;
3. produce work which demonstrates an understanding of media forms and structures, audiences and specific communication registers;
4. produce work which is informed by, and contextualised within, relevant theoretical issues and debates;
5. utilise a range of journalistic research skills as a production tool;
6. manage time and resources effectively by drawing on planning and organisational skills;
7. produce journalistic work which is informed by, and contextualised within, relevant theoretical issues and debates;
8. produce journalistic work which is informed by and demonstrates sensitivity toward relevant social , cultural, and political issues and debates.

Syllabus

1. Sourcing considerations and seeking balance
2. Basic video journalism
3. Interviewing for multiple media
4. News Writing
5. News analysis
6. Online news production
7. Story Presentation Using appropriate media
8. Producing a multimedia story: workshop

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Practical	10	2.00	20.00
Seminar	3	2.00	6.00
Private study hours			274.00
Total Contact hours			26.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Independent learning will consist of intensive reading of recommended and other appropriate academic literature concerning multimedia journalism; appropriate online guides to practical journalism writing, reporting, and ethics;
AND OF
journalistic research, both online, by telephone, and in person in the form of interviews and information seeking internationally, nationally and in the local community, along with actual news writing and story preparation. The tutor will provide weekly formative exercises.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Submission of formative exercises, seminar discussions, informal tutorials as needed. The weekly formative exercises will be used to build skills in reporting and news production. These will consist of 1. short newsweblogs (length to be determined by instructor as appropriate) to be researched and produced within one week. These should be in the style of professional news weblogs and be personal reflections about subjects in the news locally, nationally and internationally and/or reflections on original news students uncover independently
2. Use of social media (Twitter) to create messages ‘breaking’ and commenting on original news or social interest topics.
3. Critically examining British online, print, radio and television news and current affairs production and producing short critiques or, as determined by the tutor, short class presentations

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Multimedia Journalism Theory 1 x 1,500 - 2,000 words	25.00
Practical	Multimedia journalism project: webpage using print (450 - 500 words); video/audio (filmed interviews, uploaded); links; and photographs	50.00
Reflective log	Three weblogs of 450 - 500 words each	25.00
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: 16/01/2018

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