1 x academic essay of 2,500-3,000 words (Meeting learning outcomes 1-4)

Areas include: History of the British media: globalisation theories; news values; ownership, censorship and control; theories of objectivity; ethics; political communication; representations of race and gender; Americanisation; journalism futures

Material available from tutor on Blackboard VLE

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

Richard Scullion et al (2103) The Media, Political Participation and Empowerment
Andrew Calcutt & Philip Hammond (2011) Journalism Studies: A Critical Introduction
Tony Harcup (2015) Journalism: Principles and Practices
Brian McNair (2000) Journalism and Democracy: An Evaluation of the Political Public Sphere 302.23
Stuart Allan (2010) News Culture

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

2. EMPLOY ADVANCED 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]

Lectures and seminars - 11 x one hour lectures, 11 x one hour seminars, personal tutorials [4 hours] plus independent learning (124 hours)

Lectures will outline and assess relevant theoretical approaches – seminars will explore in-depth the relationship between theoretical approaches and empirical practice.

Total student commitment – 150 hours