Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

This module will make references to knowledge gained in multimedia in Semester 1 on MCH1037 or work done concurrently on MCH1037 during Semester 2. Students AMY take this module without the pre-requisites, but must be prepared to independently ensure understanding of multimedia story-telling.

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

This module introduces you to basic journalism skills as required by industry and allows you to develop them through practice. These skills include finding original news stories in the community, interviewing skills, writing news reports and features for different audiences, applying basic media law and ethics, editing and fact-checking.

In addition, the module encourages students to think about the ethics in journalism, about audiences, and about newsgathering in a wider industry and social context. Students will develop an awareness of and sensitivity to diverse audiences.

You will be introduced to forms, industry conventions and standards in news practice and be encouraged to evaluate these practices critically. You will practise reporting and writing in styles common to the industry and discuss ways visual and multimedia elements are combined with the written word to present information effectively.

You will practise strategies for gathering information efficiently, including the development of skills in interviewing, note-taking, fact-checking and observation.

This module allows students:
- to develop an understanding of the conventions and practices of newsgathering and writing for the news media;
- to develop a practical knowledge of the key elements of clear, concise writing, reporting and editing;
- to consider and assess ethics in journalism practice, the aims and objectives of journalism practice and the role of the audience;
- to practise, evaluate and edit their own writing;
- to critically evaluate the writing of others;
- to begin to put together a portfolio of evidence which can be used in relation to employment, career or postgraduate education aims.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module is aimed at students who are new to practising journalism, and sees students develop different journalism skills through iterative practice.

Students will be asked to critically consider, discuss and analyse newsgathering and journalistic copy in relation to form, convention, audience, platform, grammar, style and ethics.

The topics covered in this module may include:
• What is journalism and how does it differ from other forms of writing?
• What is news? What are ‘news values’ and how do they affect newsgathering?
• Confidence-building exercises
• Pitching
• Introduction to interviewing (‘vox pops’)
• Introduction to newswriting for different audiences
• Introductory journalism ethics and media law

Not all of these topics will necessarily be taught every year; and indeed the syllabus may shift in emphasis according to media climate and culture at the time of teaching.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students successfully completing the module will have knowledge of:
1. The role and significance of the media and communications industries in society
2. Conventions of reporting, newswriting and editing
3. The ability of the media to inform, persuade and instruct
4. The changing nature of the media and different platforms, and their different demands and audiences.
5. The power of the media in society and in the construction of 'events'
6. Genres within journalistic writing
7. Media ethics and relevant legal concerns

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students successfully completing the module will have skills in:
1. Writing, drafting and editing journalistic copy
2. Planning and organising
3. Representing others’ views accurately, fairly and impartially
4. Working to deadlines and in a variety of formats
5. Gathering and processing complex information sets
6. Communicating information, ideas and arguments with clarity
7. Working with technology in a journalistic context

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The range of material covered in the module will provide students with the opportunity to establish a base from which to develop as professional journalists in a range of media settings. Students have the opportunity to be taught by professionals in the field. Students will be able to develop their skills and enhance them in the context of either advanced professional study, employability, or career. Classes will mix formal instruction with informal advice. Newsgathering, writing practice and reflection will be to the fore both inside and outside the taught sessions. Regular news assignment homeworks will see students develop their skills as the module progresses, building on experiential learning processes in an iterative fashion.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessments are designed to allow students to appreciate the importance of deadlines, accuracy, detail, and drafting and to reflect industry practice. Knowledge relates to practice and product as well as audience and genre. The news report assignment allows students to demonstrate skills in newsgathering and reporting objectively and accurately. The feature assignment allows students to demonstrate skill in developing news lines, independent investigation and research, and creative approaches to writing. The critical analysis allows for consolidation of skills and knowledge.

Please note, all work must adhere to the ethical, health and safety requirements outlined on the module.

News report: Students will identify, develop and produce an original 500-word news report suitable for an online news platform of their own choice and its audience. Students will be expected to write a suitable headline (not included in word count) and should suggest or include relevant images or multimedia (not included in word count).

Additional task-specific criteria are as follows:
1. Originality and newsworthiness of report; suitability for the selected online news platform
2. Demonstration of established journalistic style conventions, including accuracy of language
3. Effectiveness and accuracy in independent newsgathering and reporting; appropriate use of relevant sources and interviewing
4. Understanding and awareness of audience, including demonstrated understanding of multimedia


THEN

News feature: Students will identify, develop and produce an original 1,200-word news feature suitable for an online news platform of their own choice and its audience. Students will be expected to write a suitable headline (not included in word count) and should suggest or include relevant images or multimedia (not included in word count).

Additional task-specific criteria are as follows:
1. Originality and newsworthiness of feature; suitability for the selected online news platform
2. Accuracy and degree of engagement of writing;
3. Effectiveness, accuracy and independence of newsgathering, reporting, investigation or research from relevant sources
4. Understanding and awareness of audience, including understanding of the role of multimedia

OR

Critical analysis of practice: Students will submit a 1,200-word critical analysis of their own journalistic practice, based on a portfolio of work produced throughout the module. A portfolio of work must accompany the analysis and should include a minimum of five pieces of work, drawn from the formative and summative assessments. Any analysis submitted without an accompanying portfolio will fail.

Additional task-specific criteria are as follows:
1. Honest and reflective analysis of own practice and work produced
2. Awareness and understanding of journalistic best practice and conventions
3. Engagement with relevant sources, accuracy, and use of Harvard referencing
4. Quality of work in portfolio, including acting on feedback provided

Formative assessment rationale and relationship
The formative assessment for this module are exercises set throughout the semester that immerse students in the core elements of journalism practice from the earliest opportunity, allowing them to develop self-confidence in a new and challenging discipline. Each week following the formative assessment, the tutor will provide whole class feedback, perhaps using anonymised examples.

General Notes

N/A