2017/18 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue
BA Journalism
Programme code: | BA-COMM/J | UCAS code: | PJ59 |
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Duration: | 3 Years | Method of Attendance: | Full Time |
Total credits: 360
Entry requirements:
Skills in English language comprehension and expression equivalent to IELTS 6.5 or equivalent in all four elements of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Three of the following qualities (to be assessed in a face to face interview): Broadcast presentation skills, good general knowledge, team work and problem solving skills, basic keyboard skills, basic social media skills, evidence of engagement in journalistic practice.
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:
School of Media and Communication
Examination board through which the programme will be considered:
School of Media and Communication
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:
Communication, media, film and cultural studies (2008)
Programme specification:
The programme will:
The programme provides students with a strong grounding in Journalism scholarship and practice and is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to work in the rapidly changing news and current affairs sector as reporters, producers, and presenters across various media. It will also equip students for further research in the field of Journalism Studies and for a range of related careers such as media and public relations, media policy development and analysis and other communications roles.
Journalism at Leeds is distinctive in engaging students equally in the academic study of Journalism and in its practice over their first two years and then allowing students to set the balance of their study in the final year. Research is a key focus throughout with students gaining a grounding in research methods in year one and then having various options to pursue research throughout their programme. This culminates with either a major research project (Dissertation) or a piece of Practice-based research work (Project and mini-dissertation) in the field.
Students are encouraged to see themselves as media professionals and to engage from the outset with others working in the news media industries as well as media academics. We have close relationships with the BBC as well as independent broadcasters and production companies. We also have a very strong track record in Journalism Studies and students will have the opportunity to link their engagement with industry and the academy in a range of contexts.
The programme includes options for a year in industry or a year abroad between years two and three and we encourage all eligible students to make the most of this opportunity. The School also runs a highly successful Media Futures programme to support students in the personal and professional development. This provides students with insight into different media related careers, contacts across different sectors and practical support to enhance employability.
Year one of the programme provides students with an introduction to University study and research as well as core journalistic concepts and skills. It also provides a foundation in Journalism Studies, the history of communication and the UK Political system. In year two students will take core modules in news media production, journalism ethics and issues in journalism leaving two optional modules that may come from within the School or from ‘Discovery’ modules offered by other faculties and schools. In year three students will undertake extended ‘live news’ practice, a three week industry placement as well as a year-long module in media law. In addition they will complete an extended research project in the form of either a dissertation or a portfolio of journalistic works and accompanying exegesis.
The programme provides students with a consistent focus on journalism leading to the acquisition of journalistic skills and knowledge necessary to work in the industry. The programme meets the requirements for accreditation by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council.
Year1 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Compulsory modules:
COMM1230 | Introduction to Media and Communication Research | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM1305 | Introduction to Journalism | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM1320 | Journalism, Politics and Society | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM1330 | Camera and Editing for Journalists | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM1345 | Journalism News Skills | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:
COMM1210 | The History of Communication | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM1970 | Introduction to Media and Communication Theory | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Year2 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
COMM2300 | Journalism Ethics | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM2375 | Issues in Journalism | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM2410 | Journalism Practice | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM2420 | Live Journalism Practice | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study 20 - 40 credits from the following optional modules:
Candidates may study 0 - 20 credits of Optional modules:
COMM2125 | Visual Communication | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM2560 | Communication Skills | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM2715 | Digital Storytelling | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM2780 | Media Policy | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Candidates may study 0 - 20 credits of Optional modules:
COMM2145 | Technology in Communication and Media | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM2150 | Music as Communication | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM2777 | Working in Digital Media Teams | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM2850 | Cinematic Themes | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM2910 | Communication Research Methods | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM2960 | Videogames: Identities in Play | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Discovery modules:
Students may study 0 - 20 credits of Discovery modules in either semester 1 or semester 2, but not both.
Year3 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Candidates will be permitted to study 20 credits of Discovery modules in place of an optional module
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
COMM3355 | Journalism Placement | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM3390 | Live News Production | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
LAW3280 | Media Law | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study ONE of the following compulsory modules:
COMM3300 | Journalism Individual Project Portfolio | 40 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
COMM3910 | Communication Dissertation | 40 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study 0 - 20 credits from the following optional modules:
COMM3130 | The Documentary and Reality | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM3180 | International Communication | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM3250 | Feminism, Identity and Media | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM3260 | Understanding the Audience | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM3315 | Statistics and Data for Journalists | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM3395 | TV Documentary Journalism | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM3420 | The Ethnography of Speaking | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM3780 | Mobile Media | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
COMM3790 | Citizen Media | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM3925 | War and Media | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM3950 | Promotional Culture | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM3960 | Creative Work in the Cultural Industries | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
COMM3980 | Radio Technologies, Industries and Cultures | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Discovery modules:
Last updated: 09/05/2017
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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