Module Descriptors
NCTJ PUBLIC AFFAIRS
JOUR50627
Key Facts
School of Computing and Digital Technologies
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Jacqueline Gregory
Email: J.R.Gregory@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 24
Independent Study Hours: 126
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- CLASS TEST weighted at 100%
Module Details
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
NCTJ EXAM- 1hr 45 mins [Learning Outcomes 1-3]
INDICATIVE CONTENT
The focus of this module is to prepare for the NCTJ Essential Public Affairs exam. This module requires students to have previously taken the Covering Courts and Councils module; so the focus will shift from practical application to academic study and exam preparation. There will be revision of topics covered, updating to apply to latest news context, and practice and discussion of exam questions. This will be carried out in 90 minute seminars which will include videos, powerpoints, exercises and discussions to enhance learning.
LEARNING STRATEGIES
There will be a 90 minute workshop each week 24 hours to cover key areas, discuss points raised and to go through sample NCTJ examination papers.
This will be supported by four one hour targeted revision sessions in preparation for a two-hour NCTJ exam.
In addition, 126 hours are to be used in self-directed study across the whole module, assisted by the module text Essential Public Affairs for Journalists by James Morrison. There will be up-to-date material and powerpoints on blackboard, and supporting NCTJ sample exam papers. This time should be used for reading around topics raised in the programme and specifically to enable progression of seminar discussions. Self-directed study will include preparation for a seminar, and practice at NCTJ sample papers. Tutorials as and when required are also available.
This will be supported by four one hour targeted revision sessions in preparation for a two-hour NCTJ exam.
In addition, 126 hours are to be used in self-directed study across the whole module, assisted by the module text Essential Public Affairs for Journalists by James Morrison. There will be up-to-date material and powerpoints on blackboard, and supporting NCTJ sample exam papers. This time should be used for reading around topics raised in the programme and specifically to enable progression of seminar discussions. Self-directed study will include preparation for a seminar, and practice at NCTJ sample papers. Tutorials as and when required are also available.
RESOURCES
Blackboard
NCTJ sample papers
Web including council, central government and news websites
Videos
NCTJ sample papers
Web including council, central government and news websites
Videos
TEXTS
Budge I. (2003) The New British Politics. London. Pearson Education Ltd
Garnett, M; Lynch P. (2012) Exploring British Politics. Essex. Pearson Education Ltd
Jones, B; Norton P. (2014) Politics UK (eighth edition) Oxon. Routledge
Morrison, J (2015) Essential Public Affairs for Journalists. Oxford. Oxford University Press
Wilson, D; Game, G. (2011) Local Government in the United Kingdom. London. Palgrave Macmillan
Garnett, M; Lynch P. (2012) Exploring British Politics. Essex. Pearson Education Ltd
Jones, B; Norton P. (2014) Politics UK (eighth edition) Oxon. Routledge
Morrison, J (2015) Essential Public Affairs for Journalists. Oxford. Oxford University Press
Wilson, D; Game, G. (2011) Local Government in the United Kingdom. London. Palgrave Macmillan
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE FUNCTIONS AND OPERATION OF MODERN CENTRAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT [Knowledge and Understanding]
2. DEVELOP AN INSIGHT INTO A NUMBER OF KEY ISSUES THAT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT MUST DEAL WITH AT LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS [Enquiry]
3. ANALYSE IN WRITING ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH GOVERNMENT IN RELATION TO KEY PERSPECTIVES [Analysis]
2. DEVELOP AN INSIGHT INTO A NUMBER OF KEY ISSUES THAT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT MUST DEAL WITH AT LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS [Enquiry]
3. ANALYSE IN WRITING ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH GOVERNMENT IN RELATION TO KEY PERSPECTIVES [Analysis]