In semesters one and two the law strand of 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 provides students with the knowledge to help protect them from legal action over published or broadcast items. They will learn about defamation and contempt of court as well as wider ethical issues such as freedom of speech and privacy. The module also provides information about the regulatory bodies responsible for providing print and broadcast journalists with a professional code of conduct.
In semester two the journalism studies strand of the module will address critical issues in journalism through theoretical analysis, indicating wherever possible the potential for the use of theory to inform practice, focusing on topics drawn from current debates 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.

For law:
Crook, T. (2010) Comparative Media Law and Ethics. London: Routledge.
Crone, T. Law and the Media, 4th edition, Focal Press, 2002.
Greenwood, W., Banks, D. Hanna, M., (2012) McNae's Essential Law for Journalists, 21st edition. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Hadwin, S. and Bloy, D. (2007) Law and the Media. London: Sweet and Maxwell.
Journalism Dept. (2007) Journalism Style Guide. Staffordshire University.
Kenyon, A. (2007) Defamation. Comparative Law and Practice. London: Routledge-Cavendish.
Maule, D. and Zhondong, N. (2009) Media Law. Dundee: Dundee University Press.
Quinn, F. (2011) Law for Journalists, 3rd edition. London: Pearson Longman.

For journalism studies:
Allan, S. (2005) Journalism: Critical Issues. Maidenhead: Open University Press
Bromley. M. & O'Malley, B. eds. A Journalism Reader. London: Routledge:
Franklin, B., Hamer, M., Hanna, M., Kinsey, M. & Richardson J.E. (2005) Key Concepts in Journalism Studies. London: Sage
McNair, B. (1998) The Sociology of Journalism. London: Hodder Arnold
Rowe, D. (2004) Sports, Culture and the Media. Maidenhead: Open University Press
Wilson, J. (1996) Understanding Journalism. London: Routledge

Blackboard VLE supports this module providing lecture notes, and, for the law strand, topic revision and specimen examination questions are provided towards the end of the module for self-study and revision.
Library texts and journals, newspapers and magazines, broadcast media, web media.
Details are in the module handbook.

For the law strand, covering two consecutive semesters:
Blended learning - 24 x one-hour lectures via Blackboard including online discussion forum ¿ total 24 hours; four additional face-to-face keynote lectures/seminars to introduce new material and facilitate discussion, debate, questioning and deliver practical exercises ¿ total 8 hours.
On-line question/answer sessions based on recommended reading - total 40 hours.
Guided reading based on recommended textbook and supported by appropriate notes available on Blackboard.

For the journalism studies strand in the second semester only:
Blended learning - 10 x lectures and seminars, two attended, eight via Blackboard including online discussion forum - total 20 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 for the module - 300 hours

Independent learning - 208 hours

1. An examination, weighted at 50%.
The examination will meet learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4.
It carries the special condition that this examination must be passed - failure will result in failure of the module and the award overall with no progression allowed.

2. An essay length 2500 words, weighted at 50%.
The essay will meet learning outcomes 5, 6, 7 & 8.