Magazine programmes are common and popular on radio, appearing on many different styles of station. The style and content vary, featuring such subjects as music, consumer affairs, current affairs and the arts.
This module will give students examples of magazine programmes which show how they are constructed and the importance of targeting an appropriate audience.
It will build on Level 4's practical work to develop broadcasting skills and will introduce the principles of accurate and comprehensive programme research.
Students will begin by working in pairs to create a short radio feature (a typical ingredient of a magazine programme) then work in teams to devise, in consultation with tutors, their own show, detailing its style, content and target audience. They will acquire the content (including interviews and featurettes) and hone it into a programme which will be `broadcast¿ as live from the faculty's radio studios.
The students will complete the module by writing individual reflective evaluations and reports on their programme.

Radio Feature 15%
Recorded radio package, 3 - 4 minutes duration, working in pairs. (LOs 1, 2, 4, 5)

Presentation 20%
Programme pitch, working in groups - short presentation with written backup showing audience research and initial content research
(LOs 1, 2, 5, 7, 8)

Radio Programme 45%
As live magazine programme, 30¿ duration, working in groups of 4 - 5. Subject and target audience to be agreed with tutor. (LOs 1,2,4,5,6, 7)

Report 20%
Individual report reflecting on your own work, the team work and strengths and weaknesses of the finished programme (1000 words ) and copyright log.
(LO 3)

The early part of the module is workshop-based and introduces the concept of magazine programmes, their different styles and content. Students will study the different treatments available to magazine producers, such as interviews, packages, voice pieces and two-ways.
Students will listen to and discuss examples of short features before making their own.
There will be talks and discussions about research - matters of fact, how to target style and content to the identified audience, seeking suitable locations and potential contributors, sourcing archive material, what permissions may be needed.
Students will listen to and discuss different magazines from a variety of networks and, from this experience devise, in small teams, their own programme with guidance and approval from the module tutors.
Advice will be given on pitching the programme to a 'client'.
Students will then gather the material on location and in workshops in the radio studios. The finished programme will be 'broadcast' as live. After the shows are aired and feedback has been given, students will write individual reports on their own and the team's work and the strengths and weaknesses of the final programme.

Media Centre
Radio studios
Marantz recorders
Editing software
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook

Baker, P. (1995). Making It as a Radio or TV Presenter: An Insider's Guide. London; Piatkus.
Boyd, A, Stewart P & Alexander, R (2008). Broadcast Journalism (6th ed.). Oxford; Focal Press.
Hudson, G & Rowlands, S. (2007). The Broadcast Journalism Handbook. Harlow; Longman.
McLeish, R. (2005). Radio Production (5th ed.). Oxford; Focal Press.
Starkey, G (2004) Radio in context. Basingstoke; Palgrave Macmillan.
Stewart, P. (2006) Essential Radio Skills: How to Present and Produce a Radio Show. London; A&C Black.

Ofcom (2010) Broadcasting Codes [Online] Available from: www.ofcom.org.uk