BMAUX100 – Introduction to Journalism

Module code

BMAUX100

Module title

Introduction to Journalism

Prescription

This module introduces students to the theory and basic skills of journalism. Students will understand the structure of the various media and the legal and ethical constraints on reporting. This is an introductory module which must be taken by students intending to enter the Journalism major.

NZQA Level

Level 5

NZQA Credits

Delivery method

Web-Based

Learning hours

Total learning hours: 150

Resources required

Learning Outcomes: 2. LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

2.1Develop a process for systematically addressing Journalism practices
-discuss, reflect and interpret project briefs
-participate in directed research and practical assignments
-demonstrate the systematic development of a process through the generation, regeneration, manipulation and synthesis of ideas
-define a self-critical working process for developing and refining ideas

2.2 Understand and reflect on a process for news identification and production
-identify problems and issues from the course brief
-identify factors in the selection of news
-describe the structure of newsrooms
-identify and appreciate the role of key news executives
-explain the flow of news
-discuss and appreciate the practices of a newsroom

2.3 Understand what is and what makes news
-identify news criteria and values
-discuss editorial processes and audience demographics
-demonstrate knowledge of different types of news
-recognise the importance of accuracy, fairness and balance
-recognise the need for intellectual honesty

2.4 Develop research strategies
-apply interview types and techniques
-conduct interviews
-identify and select news angles when researching
-establish a personal system for identifying and collecting news
-apply basic numeracy to journalism
-interpret basic statistics and surveys

2.5 Understand ethical constraints applied to journalism
-discuss professional codes of ethics
-discuss the influence of ethical standards on personal conduct

2.6 Understand how to write simple stories
-produce news stories that are accurate, grammatically correct and newsworthy
-generate copy that follows a selected house style and copy presentation standard
-employ the inverted pyramid structure
-employ appropriate attribution, paraphrasing and summarising
-use quotes that are accurate, appropriate and in context.

2.7 Understand how to write simple stories for radio
-produce news stories that use appropriate structure and style
-produce copy and audio that meet processing requirements

2.8 Understand assessment methodology within the context of an educational institution
-develop a vocabulary for describing work
-demonstrate the ability to interpret and analyse objectives
-participate in group and class critiques
-consider and reflect upon self and peer design decisions
-participate in formative assessment
Content: 3.CONTENT AND PROCESS

3.1 The production process
newsroom structures and practices
the role of key news executives
the flow of news
house style

3.2 What makes news.
organisational news values
audience research
characteristics of news
personal news
different media
platforms
news ideas
analysis of a news event
press conferences
role of the journalist in society

3.3 Research
interviews
source documents
news angles
personal contacts
information databases

3.4 The system and the reporter
ethical codes
personal codes

3.5 Writing news stories
conventions
deadlines
specific language of print
introductions
the inverted pyramid structure
other news forms

3.6 Writing for broadcast
conventions
deadlines
specific language of broadcast journalism
introductions and soundbites
voice-overs
writing to pictures

3.7Communicating with a range of cultures
Content of interest to a Mori audience
New Zealand cultural identities
Content from at least one other culture
Modes of addess appropriate to the audience
Teaching and Learning Strategy: Lectures, tutorials, discussion and practical application of skills
Assessment Criteria: To pass this course, students must complete all assignments and accumulate an overall course mark of no less than 50