Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM3275 Placement

Module manager: Kate Watkins

Taught: invalid View Timetable

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Students will be required to prove the intellectual and practical capabilities they have acquired at University within the professional industry environment and under the scrutiny of working professionals. Students will learn to work under pressure in order to meet the exacting deadlines within the industry. The placement assessment develops students’ ability to critically reflect on practice in their chosen field.The Journalism programme’s Broadcast Journalism Training Council accreditation requires Journalism students to undertake 3 weeks of professional news experience. Thus, Journalism students have the opportunity to undertake placements provided by newsrooms of professional broadcasters who are members of the BJTC. Students from other School of Media programmes will be required to apply for placements independently, utilising the School of Media’s extensive Alumni, career mentor and local media industry contacts. All placements must have been agreed with the School of Media by the start of semester one, year 3. School approval of the placement provider must be agreed before the placement commences.It is anticipated that most students will undertake their placement in the summer prior to the start of year 3, or in the Christmas holidays of year 3. Students will not be allowed to miss teaching sessions to undertake placements, although a regular day a week may be sanctioned if the student does not have any teaching commitments on that day. SES employability staff will provide expert advice to students on CV and interview skills, and promote placement opportunities, as well as administering the relevant contracts for the placement provider.

Objectives

This module aims to give students three weeks assessed practical experience at a company or organisation within the media or media related industries. It is aimed at providing a "bridge" between academic study and a working environment, equipping the student with industry experience to allow them to progress into the working world. Due to BJTC accreditation, it is a compulsory module for BA Journalism students, who require 3 weeks in a news production environment. Prior to the placement, students are given advice in the skills required for working effectively in a media environment. After the placement students will critically evaluate this experience of professional practice

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to
1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the professional processes in which the student has been involved during the period of work placement.
2. Work autonomously and in teams, according to a given brief or remit within a structured industry environment.
3. Demonstrate a range of personal skills – communication, team work, presentation and initiative – relevant to working in the media industries.
4. Reflect critically on their experience of working in media production and, through analysis and self-reflection, explain how it connects to their study.

Syllabus

Prior to the placement, students will have two lectures and an individual tutorial, which prepare them for applying for a placement and understanding the duties they will be required to undertake in a professional media environment .
Each student's experience will depend on the project(s) in which they are involved, their specific role(s) and the organisation in which they will work. They will, however, be involved in the development, implementation and execution of a news production in a variety of junior capacities.
After the placement, students will receive 3 lectures to consider key issues from the study of media that should be employed in the writing of the reflective essay.

Private study

Most of this module is delivered via teaching and placement attendance but students are required to independently prepare for the placement by providing an industry-specific CV of professional standard to the placement provider; or by applying to the placement online (if necessary). Students may be required to undertake an interview prior to being offered a position. They are advised to keep a placement diary and a record of their work.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Feedback on the student’s progress on the placement will be provided through a report (based upon a questionnaire issued by the School) by the placement provider, outlining the context of the student's work and offering a professional judgement on the student's performance in their specific working environment. This will be used as evidence of the student's experience, but will not form part of his or her assessment.
The module tutor will be available during office hours to provide placement essay advice.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 10/08/2020 08:34:33

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