1 x academic essay of 2000-2500 words (meeting learning outcomes 1-4)

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.

Library texts and journals, newspapers and magazines, broadcast media, web media.

Blackboard VLE site

Karen Fowler-Watt & Stuart Allan, eds, (2013) Journalism: New Challenges
Stuart Allan (2005) Journalism: Critical Issues
Mick Temple (2008) The British Press
Bob Franklin, Martin Hamer, Mark Hanna, Marie Kinsey & John E. Richardson (2005) Key Concepts in Journalism Studies
Julia Hobsbawm, ed., (2006) Where the Truth Lies: Trust and morality in PR and Journalism

1. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF RELEVANT THEORETICAL POSITIONS UNDERPINNING OBJECTIVE EXAMINATION OF CRITICAL ISSUES IN JOURNALISM [Knowledge and Understanding]

2. EMPLOY CRITICAL ANALYSIS WITH REFERENCE TO CONCEPTS AND DEBATES IN THE INTERPRETATION AND EVALUATION OF THEORETICAL ARGUMENT AND JOURNALISM PRACTICE [Analysis]

3. DEMONSTRATE A COHERENT GRASP OF RELEVANT JOURNALISM STUDIES THEORY, CONCEPTS AND DEBATE, IN EXAMINING CRITICAL ISSUES THROUGH A FORMAL ACADEMIC ESSAY [Communication]

4. EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THE USE OF JOURNALISM STUDIES THEORY TO INFORM PRACTICE [Reflection]

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