2022/23 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM3355 Journalism Placement

20 creditsClass Size: 55

Module manager: Rafe Clayton
Email: R.M.Clayton@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

Pre-requisites

COMM2410

Journalism Practice

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Students will learn to work under pressure in order to meet the exacting deadlines within a media or media related industry. They 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. The placement assessment develops students’ ability to critically reflect on practice in their chosen field.

Objectives

This module allows students to gain three weeks practical experience at a company or organisation within the media or media related industries. More than one placement can be undertaken to reach the required time spent in the industry. It is aimed at providing a "bridge" between academic study and a working environment, equipping the student with experience of individually applying for placements, and gaining industry experience to allow them to progress into the working world. Due to BJTC accreditation, this is a compulsory module for BA Journalism students, who require 15 days in a media production environment.
Prior to the placement, students are given advice in the skills required for working effectively in a media environment. Some locally based placements will be advertised and selected according to published selection criteria, such as the strength of the CV and covering letter, but the majority of students will be expected to find their own placements.
After the placement students will undertake an essay assessment critically evaluating their experience of professional practice.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of professional practice based on interactions with media professionals;
2. Reflect critically on working as in the media, exploring the current opportunities and challenges for media organisations.

Skills outcomes
The placement assessment develops students’ ability to critically reflect on practice in their chosen field through interaction with media professionals.

Syllabus

Prior to the placement, students have the opportunity to attend advice sessions on how to apply for a placement and understand the duties they will be required to undertake in a professional media environment .All placements must have been agreed with the School of Media and Communications by the start of semester one, year 3.
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.
After the placement, students will receive 5 lectures to consider key issues from the study of media that should be employed in the writing of the reflective essay, alongside a workshop and seminar to aid students’ understanding of reflective practice. These will cover
1) assessment overview with reflective examples
2) the media landscape – issues and challenges
3) the future of local journalism
4) creative industry employment practices
5) diversity in the workforce .

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Placement	15	8.00	120.00
Lecture	5	1.00	5.00
Seminar	2	1.00	2.00
Private study hours			78.00
Total Contact hours			127.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			205.00

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

Students will receive briefings outlining how to apply and prepare for a placement before embarking on their time in the industry.
Prior to the attachment, the provider is required to sign a contract with the University and student which confirms our Health and Safety requirements. The placement provider is required to assign a designated mentor to each student.

The module leader is available throughout the 3 weeks by phone or email to discuss any issues raised by either the host or student and if necessary will undertake a visit to the work placement. In the last week of the placement, the host is sent a non credit bearing orm which assesses the student’s work. This is a written report in the form of a tabulated list of tasks including satisfactory attendance and performance in the areas of research, individual initiative, teamwork, and overall potential. The report should be completed then discussed with the student before they depart in order to aid self-reflection.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,500-3,500 words	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Clarification of alternative assessment for Journalism programme only Due to BJTC accreditation, this is a compulsory module for BA Journalism students, who are required to undertake 15 days in a professional media environment. If a total of 10 days placement is not possible, an alternative 2500-3000 word essay assessment will be required. This will demonstrate an understanding of professional practice based on interactions with media professionals, and require the student to reflect critically on working as a journalist, exploring the current opportunities and challenges for media organisations. If a full 15 days of a Journalism Placement is not available, an 'evidence of employability' portfolio is required in addition in addition to the assessed essay. This pass/fail component is required by the BJTC, documenting at least four elements of industry engagement. The time taken for this work should be equivalent to that required for the 15 days placement.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 14/09/2022

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