2022/23 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM2250 Podcasting

20 creditsClass Size: 38

Module manager: John Sinclair
Email: J.Sinclair@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will equip students with the creative knowhow and practical skills they will need to envision, plan, record and produce their own podcast. It is designed for students with no prior experience of media production. Students will develop their critical appreciation of storytelling in audio through the study and critique of a variety of podcasting formats. This module will require an ability to work independently (under supervision) and to think creatively about the possibilities of audio as a tool of mass communication.

Objectives

This module aims to introduce students to audio storytelling and creative sound design through the planning and production of their own original podcast. It is designed for students with no previous experience of media production. Students will develop an understanding of various podcasting formats and genres, through the critique of other’s work. An emphasis will be placed on the creative and innovative use of sound.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students will be able to
1. Research, plan and produce a podcast to industry standards.
2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of podcast formats and creative production techniques.

Syllabus

Indicative syllabus
• Podcast formats and audiences
• Creative sound design
• Interview technique
• Writing for audio/radio
• Storytelling and narrative structure
• Sound capture, acoustics and microphone design
• Editing and sound mixing on Adobe Audition

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Practical	11	2.00	22.00
Tutorial	2	0.30	0.50
Private study hours			177.50
Total Contact hours			22.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students will spend approximately 40 hours researching their story, locating excellent talkers and arranging interviews or attendance at events. They will spend approximately 40 hours in the production phase – conducting interviews and logging their best material. They will spend approximately 60 hours on the post production phase - planning the structure and overall sound design for their podcast; writing a script and using software to finally edit and mix their material together into a coherent story. Students will also spend approximately 37.5 hours listening to podcasts of a variety of formats and thinking critically about the strengths and weaknesses of the material. They will submit their responses in the form of a five-part listening diary, which will be assessed.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will receive formative feedback on writing and audio production skills practical in-class, in a series of practical exercises. They will also receive feedback from their supervisor in tutorials during the planning and post-production phases of their projects.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Reflective log	Listening responses (5 x 400-500 words)	30.00
Practical	Podcast of 5 - 10 minutes duration	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

It is envisaged that students submitting late should be able to submit re-sit work in the same form as specified above and to the brief in the module handbook, subject to student access to recording equipment and editing software.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 23/05/2022

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