Module Descriptors
ENTREPRENEURIAL WEB-BASED JOURNALISM
JOUR50328
Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 5
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Sue Greenwood
Email: S.Greenwood@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 48
Independent Study Hours: 252
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- PORTFOLIO weighted at 50%
- RESEARCH REPORT weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Resources
Digital cameras and camcorders via New Media Centre
Library
Visual aids via data projector/power point
Computer-aided research via Macintosh (News Room) and Library resources
Macintoch G5s (Newsroom)
Software: Browser-based software packages (eg Wordpress), Microsoft Word, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Fireworks, Flash.
Online software teaching guides, blog resources.
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.
Library
Visual aids via data projector/power point
Computer-aided research via Macintosh (News Room) and Library resources
Macintoch G5s (Newsroom)
Software: Browser-based software packages (eg Wordpress), Microsoft Word, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Fireworks, Flash.
Online software teaching guides, blog resources.
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.
Module Indicative Content
Technological change has driven changes in news delivery. From the invention of linotype print and mass newspaper production, to cable/satellite delivering 24/7 news, the business of gathering and disseminating news has become fiercely competitive and subject to rapid changes in style and delivery in a bid to attract - or just maintain - audiences.
Since the invention of the world wide web, news stories have been repurposed, shared, linked to or written especially for the web. Increasingly, journalists working in print or broadcast are expected to know how to deliver stories to a global web audience. Journalists will also find themselves using the web as a tool for generating or researching new stories, and for delivering information or canvassing reader/audience opinions or knowledge.
This module teaches students the advanced techniques employed by journalists working across web and mobile media outlets. Including: understanding and building audiences for websites and blogs, news/sports site/blog construction and development, user interaction, legal and licence issues.
This is a cross media module offered to students on print or broadcasting pathways. Students will undertake a common period of study and research leading to the presentation of a portfolio of web-based journalism.
The industry is searching for new business models for news, and the development of the web demonstrates that the strongest ideas often come from lone entrepreneurs rather than from within existing corporations.
A growing number of journalist entrepreneurs have been experimenting with new models for news and building their own news businesses. This module is designed to teach journalism students to see new journalism business opportunities and develop an entrepreneurial approach to their own future.
It introduces students to the skills, knowledge and aptitude employed by entrepreneurial journalists in developing news businesses/models.
Since the invention of the world wide web, news stories have been repurposed, shared, linked to or written especially for the web. Increasingly, journalists working in print or broadcast are expected to know how to deliver stories to a global web audience. Journalists will also find themselves using the web as a tool for generating or researching new stories, and for delivering information or canvassing reader/audience opinions or knowledge.
This module teaches students the advanced techniques employed by journalists working across web and mobile media outlets. Including: understanding and building audiences for websites and blogs, news/sports site/blog construction and development, user interaction, legal and licence issues.
This is a cross media module offered to students on print or broadcasting pathways. Students will undertake a common period of study and research leading to the presentation of a portfolio of web-based journalism.
The industry is searching for new business models for news, and the development of the web demonstrates that the strongest ideas often come from lone entrepreneurs rather than from within existing corporations.
A growing number of journalist entrepreneurs have been experimenting with new models for news and building their own news businesses. This module is designed to teach journalism students to see new journalism business opportunities and develop an entrepreneurial approach to their own future.
It introduces students to the skills, knowledge and aptitude employed by entrepreneurial journalists in developing news businesses/models.
Module Additional Assessment Details
A PORTFOLIO weighted at 50%.
Students will design, build and create original content for a new blog reflecting their field of interest (news/sport/music journalism). The blog will have a clearly-defined target audience, with design, presentation, writing style and content to reflect audience expectations and needs. Content should include a mix of news/feature writing, information, photography, video, audio and interactive elements, appropriate to subject and audience. The portfolio should include a 2,000 word essay offering a reflective, critical analysis of the rationale for the portfolio submission.
[Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3]
A RESEARCH RPT weighted at 50%.
Students will undertake a common period of study and research leading to the production of either a research paper or business plan for assessment, weighted at 100%
[Learning Outcomes 4-8]
Key Information Set Data:
100% coursework
Students will design, build and create original content for a new blog reflecting their field of interest (news/sport/music journalism). The blog will have a clearly-defined target audience, with design, presentation, writing style and content to reflect audience expectations and needs. Content should include a mix of news/feature writing, information, photography, video, audio and interactive elements, appropriate to subject and audience. The portfolio should include a 2,000 word essay offering a reflective, critical analysis of the rationale for the portfolio submission.
[Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3]
A RESEARCH RPT weighted at 50%.
Students will undertake a common period of study and research leading to the production of either a research paper or business plan for assessment, weighted at 100%
[Learning Outcomes 4-8]
Key Information Set Data:
100% coursework
Module Learning Strategies
48 hours of lectures (30%), seminars (30%) and workshops (40%)
The module will draw upon all of the following:
- Tutor-led sessions
- Group discussions
- Case study analysis
- Directed reading
Demonstrating and developing the knowledge and skills underpinning web-based journalism with emphasis on content delivery and the skills, design knowledge and technology to construct an end product.
Building on other modules delivering components and skills necessary to web-journalism.
Independent learning = 126 hours
Developing and employing understanding and acquired skills in website/blog production for specified audiences (50%) and building portfolio of published web-based journalism (50%).
Key Information Set Data:
16% scheduled L&T activities
84% guided independent learning
The module will draw upon all of the following:
- Tutor-led sessions
- Group discussions
- Case study analysis
- Directed reading
Demonstrating and developing the knowledge and skills underpinning web-based journalism with emphasis on content delivery and the skills, design knowledge and technology to construct an end product.
Building on other modules delivering components and skills necessary to web-journalism.
Independent learning = 126 hours
Developing and employing understanding and acquired skills in website/blog production for specified audiences (50%) and building portfolio of published web-based journalism (50%).
Key Information Set Data:
16% scheduled L&T activities
84% guided independent learning
Module Texts
Allan Stuart (2006) Online News Open University Press
Kolodzy Janet (2006) Convergence Journalism: Writing and Reporting Across News Media Rowman & Littlefield
Reuvid J. (2010) Start up & run your own business: the essential guide to planning, funding and growing your own enterprise. 8thed. Kogan Page. UK.
Burns, P. (2010) Entrepreneurship and Small Business (3rd ed), Palgrave.
Friedman, T.L, (2007) The World Is Flat: Globalisation in the 21st Century, Picador.
Jarvis, J, (2009) What Would Google Do, HarperBusiness
http://www.buzzmachine.com
http://www.poynter.org/subject.asp?id=11
http://www.ojr.org
Kolodzy Janet (2006) Convergence Journalism: Writing and Reporting Across News Media Rowman & Littlefield
Reuvid J. (2010) Start up & run your own business: the essential guide to planning, funding and growing your own enterprise. 8thed. Kogan Page. UK.
Burns, P. (2010) Entrepreneurship and Small Business (3rd ed), Palgrave.
Friedman, T.L, (2007) The World Is Flat: Globalisation in the 21st Century, Picador.
Jarvis, J, (2009) What Would Google Do, HarperBusiness
http://www.buzzmachine.com
http://www.poynter.org/subject.asp?id=11
http://www.ojr.org