Module Descriptors
THINKING JOURNALISM (BLENDED)
JOUR40412
Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 4
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Michael Temple
Email: M.Temple@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 22
Independent Study Hours: 128
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
1 x academic essay of 2500 words (meeting learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4)
Module Indicative Content
The module will focus on the examination of critical issues in journalism through theoretical analysis, indicating wherever possible the potential for the use of theory to inform practice. Topics are drawn from current debates in journalism theory and practice, including: moral panics; spin and control; sport, popularity and populism; ownership, government and power; ideology, meaning and mendacity; ethics and vocation; gender, ethnicity and plurality; public opinion, public interest and the public sphere.
Module Resources
Library texts and journals, newspapers and magazines, broadcast media, web media.
Blackboard VLE site, Ning social network site for interactive forum
Blackboard VLE site, Ning social network site for interactive forum
Module Texts
Allan, S. (2005) Journalism: Critical Issues. Maidenhead: Open University Press
Boyle, R. (2006) Sports Journalism: Contexts and Issues. London: Sage
Franklin, B., Hamer, M., Hanna, M., Kinsey, M. & Richardson, J.E. (2005) Key Concepts in Journalism Studies. London: Sage.
McNair, B. (2004) The Sociology of Journalism. London: Arnold.
Rowe, D. (2004) Sport, Culture and the Media. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Temple, M. (2008) The British Press. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Boyle, R. (2006) Sports Journalism: Contexts and Issues. London: Sage
Franklin, B., Hamer, M., Hanna, M., Kinsey, M. & Richardson, J.E. (2005) Key Concepts in Journalism Studies. London: Sage.
McNair, B. (2004) The Sociology of Journalism. London: Arnold.
Rowe, D. (2004) Sport, Culture and the Media. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Temple, M. (2008) The British Press. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Module Learning Strategies
Blended learning - 11 x lectures (2 x 2 hour attended, 9 x 2 hour via online discussion forum) plus independent learning (128 hours)
Attended lectures will explore critical issues through introduction to key concepts and theoretical positions and develop the ability to extract, understand and contextualise relevant information through listening, thinking and note taking.
Online sessions will facilitate group discussion of issues raised in the intensive attended sessions to prompt reflection, extend thinking and research and enhance contextual understanding and evaluation.
Total student commitment - 150 hours
Attended lectures will explore critical issues through introduction to key concepts and theoretical positions and develop the ability to extract, understand and contextualise relevant information through listening, thinking and note taking.
Online sessions will facilitate group discussion of issues raised in the intensive attended sessions to prompt reflection, extend thinking and research and enhance contextual understanding and evaluation.
Total student commitment - 150 hours