Internet
Newspapers/magazines
NCTJ materials
Regulatory guidelines e.g. PCC, Ofcom
Audio / video playback facilities
Library
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Law:

Two one-hour lectures per week
One one-hour seminar


Shorthand:

Regular weekly workshops ( 4 x 1 hours per week) with a specialist shorthand teacher combined with independent study using audio/visual study aids

Shorthand skills will be used during practical journalism classes for note taking

Regular speed tests and homework will contribute to the learning process

NCTJ past papers and audio recordings will be used for independent study

Key Information Set Data:
43% scheduled teaching and learning activities
57% guided independent learning

This module provides journalism students with an overview of legal and ethical issues. Current issues in the press will be discussed as they arise. The module looks at the law from the perspective of the journalist and provide students with the knowledge to help protect them from legal action over published or broadcast items. They will learn about the laws of defamation and contempt of court as well as wider ethical issues such as freedom of speech, the right to privacy. The module also provides information about the regulatory bodies responsible for providing print and broadcast journalists with a professional code of conduct


This module also introduces students to the importance of fast accurate shorthand note taking in various journalistic settings. The Shorthand method used is Teeline, and students are prepared for the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) shorthand examinations.

Crone, T., Law and the Media, 4th edition, Focal Press, 2002. Greenwood, W., Welsh, T., McNae's Essential Law for Journalists, Butterworths, 19th edition, 2007.
Hadwin, S,. and Bloy, D. Law and the Media. Sweet and Maxwell, 2007.
Journalism Dept. Journalism Style Guide. Staffordshire University, 2007.
Quinn, F. Law for Journalists. Longman, 2007.
Rudin, R., and Ibbotson, T., An Introduction to Journalism - Essential Techniques and Background Knowledge, Focal Press, 2002.
Smartt, U. (ed), Media Law for Journalists, Sage, 2006.


Shorthand
Ann Dix (2001) Teeline Fast, Heinemann is recommended as a back-up to the theory, but not used in class

An Examination weighted at 35% (comprising essay-type questions based on industry-standard test-papers) (LO's 1-4)

In-Course On-Line tests weighted at 15% comprising multiple-choice questions based on module elements (e.g. contempt, defamation) (LO's 1-4)


Class Test length between 0.27 HOURS and 1 HOUR weighted at 50%.
Class tests at 40 wpm end of Semester 1, 50 wpm Easter, 60 - 100 wpm end of Semester 2. The pass rate is 95%.[Learning Outcomes 5-11]

Key Information Set Data:
100% Examination


NCTJ external examinations at speeds ranging from 60 wpm to 120 wpm. An NCTJ examination at a speed of 100 wpm is the target. These examinations consist of one passage of 4 minutes duration. A 30-second interval is given after 2 minutes. Transcription is required at a speed of 10 wpm. The pass rate is 97.5%.

Students should aim to progress to NCTJ 100 WPM or more at the end of this first academic year.
Those who do not can choose Shorthand 2 as an optional module in the second year of their degree PROVIDING they have PASSED a 60 wpm internal test in this first year, and gained 15 credits.