Blackboard
Library resources
Web
Tutor-supplied texts

Amrich D (2012) Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living. USA: TripleTorch
Cashmore, E. (2006) Celebrity Culture: Key Ideas. London: Routledge
Evans, H. (2000) Essential English: for journalists, editors and writers. London: Pimlico
Frith, S. and Goodwin, A., eds., (1990) On Record: Rock, Pop and the Written Word. London: Routledge
Frith, S. (1978) The Sociology of Rock. London: Constable
Green, L. (1988) Music on Deaf Ears. Manchester: Manchester University Press
Harrington, W. (1997) Intimate journalism: the art and craft of reporting everyday life. London: Sage
Hennessy, B. (1997) Writing feature articles: a practical guide to methods and markets. London: Focal Press
Longhurst, B. (2007) Popular Music and Society. London: Polity
Meunier N (2013)Up Up Down Down Left WRITE: The Freelance Guide to Video Game Journalism. USA: kung fu grip press
Morrish, J. (2003) Magazine Editing: in print and online: how to develop and manage a successful publication. London: Routledge
Rowe, D. (2004) Sport, Culture and the Media. Maidenhead: Open University Press
Rudin, R. and Ibbotson, T. (2002) An Introduction to Journalism: essential techniques and background. London: Focal Press
Temple, N. (2003) Writing copy for the web in a week. London: Hodder and Stoughton
Wall, T. (2005) Studying Popular Music Culture. London: Arnold

Attendance will be required at 12 workshops in the first semester - total 24 hours - and 12 lectures, 12 seminars, one class test and one field trip in the second semester - total 38 hours - total contact time for the module - 62 hours
Students will be required to produce examples of writing throughout the module with opportunities for formative assessment (not affecting the module grade) and feedback.
Independent learning, study, research and writing - 238 hours.

Key Information Set Data:
20% scheduled L & T activities
80% guided independent learning

The first semester schedule concerns the development of understanding of theoretical and practical perspectives and techniques with a major focus on specialist subject journalism. The aim is to interweave theory in practice to enable critical analysis which informs practice and produce content to publishable standards.
We need to understand why, for example, music, games, sport and fashion and other fascinations, lifestyle choices and habits matter to people. This will inform the production of journalistic content about these subjects through analysis of individual consumption and identity, communities of (shared) interest and wider issues of cultural consumption.
Practical elements include surveying the market for such work and how to address them it as freelances and employees. Examples of review and lifestyle journalism from newspapers, magazines, websites, radio and TV will be analysed. You will be required to submit all copy produced as coursework as freelances to specific publishers or other industry users.
The second semester schedule is designed to enable a thorough understanding of how print and web magazines operate and promote the production of written content to commercially publishable standards. To write effectively for magazines it is essential to understand how they are run and what makes them distinctive. Having that total focus on a magazine's identity, purpose and operations is essential for producing reader-addictive content. Topics covered: originating content ideas, targeting publications, meeting reader expectations, writing techniques including attention to style, voice and tone, creative intros, feature structures, the outro, intertextual references, sidebars, Q&As and pitching; market sector and audience; revenue models and budgets, including editorial budgets; advertising, marketing, printing processes, circulation and distribution; the distinction between B2B and consumer magazines and investigation of key types of consumer magazines including national, regional and local consumer magazines and the B2B sector. The syllabus for the operational elements of the module will also prepare students for the NCTJ examination in the business of magazines should they wish to take it. A portfolio of coursework and in-class tests will be used for the assessment of the module. Writing for magazines must be produced and pitched to editorially rigorous publications, print and/or online. Two guest speakers will be invited to talk about particular aspects of magazine work and there will be one field trip to observe professional magazine production.

First semester assessment will be by a portfolio of writing reviews and lifestyle articles produced as independent coursework (2,500 words) and a critical analysis (500 words) (50%). (LO 1,2, 3, 4, 6. 7).

Second semester assessment will be by a portfolio of: writing for magazines produced as independent coursework - 1,500 words, including a reflective evaluation (25%) (LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 6) and a class test focused on the business of magazines (25%) (LO 3, 5, 6).

Key Information Set Data:
75% coursework
25% written exam