Journalism
Journalism courses are open to journalism majors. City’s Department of Journalism and Publishing is well established as the leader in its field in the country. The Department's teachers are professional journalists with experience in every sector of the media – print, radio, television and online. In studying journalism in London you are studying at the heart of Britain’s media industry. Well-known journalists and leading editorial executives frequently visit the Department.
The following courses are normally available:
|
Code |
Course Title |
Available | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JO1105/JO1201 | Introduction to Journalism | Yfs | ||
| JO1102 | History of Journalism | Yfs | ||
| JO1106 | Politics and Current Affairs | Yfs | ||
| JO1202 | The British Media | Yfs | ||
|
JO2105/JO2205 |
Reporting 2 & Features |
Yfs | ||
|
JO2106/2208 |
Production: Print & Radio |
Yfs | ||
| JO2107 | Structure of Government* |
Yfs | ||
| JO2108 | Shorthand* |
Yfs | ||
|
JO2201 |
British Magazines* |
not running 2009/10 | ||
|
JO2301 |
History of Journalism 2* |
Yfs | ||
| JO2302 | Web Creation & Design* |
Yfs | ||
| JO3112 | International News* |
Yfs | ||
|
JO3101/JO3201 |
Media Law & Ethics |
f | ||
|
JO3109/JO3231 |
Advanced Practical Journalism: Print |
Yfs | ||
| JO3110 | Print Project |
Yfs | ||
| JO3114/JO3230 | Advanced Practical Journalism: Radio |
Yfs | ||
| JO3115 | Radio Project |
Yfs | ||
| JO3401 | History of Journalism Project |
Yfs | ||
| JO3402 | Journalism & Society Project | Yfs | ||
| Various | Specialist Journalism | Yfs | ||
* These modules are appropriate for both Level 2 and 3 study.
JO1105/JO1201 Introduction to Journalism
Offered in both double- and single-units, this module aims to provide a basic understanding of news writing, feature writing and sub-editing skills as well as Web site production. Visiting speakers, ranging from senior journalists to those in their first jobs, will help you to
understand many aspects of the industry. Discussions on current affairs will help you to
become well-informed and to look critically at the media. As a double-unit module, you will study all of the areas above over the course of the year. If you are only joining us for one
term, you will obtain 15 credits if you take this module.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments.
JO1102 History of Journalism
This module focuses on the history of British journalism from 1850 to the present. You will learn how British and US journalism have developed as part of the democratic process
and in response to commercial, social and political pressures. You will also acquire a detailed knowledge of the developmentof journalistic organisations and efforts of governments to influence and control them. Topics include the early history of British newspapers and US journalism from the Civil War to the beginnings of yellow journalism.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for coursework essays.
JO1106 Politics and Current Affairs
This module aims to provide an opportunity for you to understand key issues in contemporary politics and current affairs with which you need to be familiar as a journalist. You will develop your research skills, essay writing and analytical techniques; understand the main themes of 20th and 21st century British and international politics, with particular reference to current events; and demonstrate understanding of current key political theories and arguments.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments
JO1202 The British Media
In this module, you will extend your knowledge of the wide variety of media in Britain,
how they interrelate and how they compete. You will learn to think critically about the media and will understand the different types of journalism required in different areas. This module will give you a sound knowledge of the many types of journalism in Britain today and an understanding of the skills needed to work in different areas.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments.
JO2105/JO2205 Reporting 2 & Features
This module focuses on developing your interviewing and feature writing skills. You will identify news stories, research news and features, build a contacts book, conduct different types of interviews, develop feature ideas for target publications, understand the role of features within magazines and newspapers, pitch features and work to strict deadlines.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments
JO2106/2208 Production: Print & Radio
In this module you will gain practical experience in print and radio production. In the radio sessions you will learn the Burli news management system, bulletin reading, interviewing, organising a package, driving the desk, using a portable recorder, editing on Adobe Audition and Burli, studio management and live broadcasting. In the print sessions you will learn desktop publishing using Quark Xpress, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop and will produce a portfolio of pages suitable for a wide variety of publications.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments.
JO2107 Structure of Government*
This module aims to provide a basic knowledge of central and local government in the UK, the relations between them and how the British government relates to the EU. At the end of the module you will have an understanding of the key issues in government relevant to a working journalist in modern Britain.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments.
JO2108 Shorthand*
In this module you will learn Teeline shorthand to 100 words per minute or more. Teeline is the industry standard and is essential for those wishing to work for British newspapers. Shorthand involves four hours of class time per week, and attendance is essential. If you decide to move to another option, you may do so only up to two weeks into the term. You will be responsible for making up missed assignments in that option.
Assessment: Your final mark will be determined by your shorthand speed, which will be tested throughout the term or year.
JO2201 British Magazines*
This module will give you a broad overview of the UK magazine market. By the course you will have a thorough working knowledge of the UK magazine industry including how magazines are edited, marketed, designed and produced.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments.
JO2301 History of Journalism 2*
The aim of this module is to deepen your understanding of the history of journalism in Britain (and, to a lesser extent, the rest of the world) in the past century with particular emphasis on foreign affairs and the writings of key journalists of the period. Topics covered include the press and the British empire; the race for Africa; the rise of Indian nationalism; Vietnam; 9/11; Britain and Europe; and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments.
JO2302 Web Creation & Design*
The ability to work across platforms is becoming increasingly important in journalism, and this module will help to prepare you for the workplace. You will create Web sites and blogs that will form part of your portfolio, and you should reach a level of skill sufficient to obtain professional work in this field. You will understand the origins of the Internet, the rise of Internet journalism, and the way the current online news market works. You will develop your own online project and investigate and produce an assessment of its target audience. You will also produce written work, images, podcasts and vodcasts for the project.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments.
JO3112 International News*
This module will help you to think critically about how international stories are gathered and reported. You will learn about political, economic, social and cultural factors that affect what news is gathered and published around the world. You will consider the question of credible sources and the risks taken by frontline journalists covering conflicts and natural disasters. You will consider the relationship between international journalists and nongovernmental organisations, relief agencies and human rights groups.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments. If you join this module for an entire year, you will also sit a final exam.
JO3101/JO3201 Media Law & Ethics
We do not recommended this module for students who are studying abroad, as it focuses entirely on British media law. The information covered will not necessarily apply to media law in your home country. At the end of this unit, you will have developed sufficient knowledge of UK law as it applies to journalists covering courts and other stories with legal implications. A key objective of the module is to enable new journalists to engage in reasoned and authoritative debate with colleagues over sensitive matters.
Assessment: You will be marked on a final essay to be submitted near the end of term.
JO3109/JO3231 Advanced Practical Journalism: Print
This module aims to build on the skills of news and feature writing and to extend knowledge of production, the use of pictures in newspapers and magazines and general subbing techniques. You will cover a variety of live news events, refine your technical skills to analyse and design pages and spreads, and produce tightly composed, accurate and lively copy in a tone appropriate to the target publication.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments.
JO3110 Print Project
The project should exhibit your ability to research thoroughly a subject of your choice on an original theme. You will write a 5,000-word piece which should demonstrate your ability to assess a problem, plan and carry out investigations and analyse evidence. You will gather information via primary and secondary sources and include a 1,000-word version of the piece for publication.
Assessment: Your final project will be assessed using various criteria specified by your course tutor.
JO3114/JO3230 Advanced Practical Journalism: Radio
This module aims to build on the skills of radio journalism and to develop the skills of interviewing, studio production and writing and editing material for broadcast. You will research, write, record and present stories for broadcast in news bulletins, ‘drive’ the radio studio desk as technical operator and use industry standard software to complete projects.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments.
JO3115 Radio Project
The project should exhibit your ability to research thoroughly a subject of your choice on an original theme. You will produce a radio piece of between 10 and 15 minutes which should demonstrate your ability to assess a problem, plan and carry out investigations and analyse evidence. You will gather information via primary and secondary sources and pay special attention to production quality.
Assessment: Your final project will be assessed using various criteria specified by your course tutor.
JO3401 History of Journalism Project
The project should exhibit your ability to research thoroughly an aspect of the history of journalism.
Assessment: Your final project will be assessed using various criteria specified by your course tutor.
JO3402 Journalism & Society Project
The project should exhibit your ability to research thoroughly an aspect of journalism as a social utility, such as the accuracy of reporting an issue, its effects on society, or its influence on public opinion. The topic might be current or in the recent past.
Assessment: Your final project will be assessed using various criteria specified by your course tutor.
Specialist Journalism
This course provides small workshops led by practising journalists in which students develop their acquired skills. Workshops are run by visiting lecturers and the subjects offered include: Entertainment, Terror & Organised Crime, Health, Environment, Popular Music, Sport and UK Politics among others. Places on each workshop are limited, and undergraduate students are chosen for places by a lottery. If you wish to participate in a specialism, please request ‘Specialist Journalism’ on your choice form. You will select your top three choices of workshop (one of which you will be assigned) when you arrive in London.
Assessment: You will be given an aggregate mark for all coursework assignments.
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