Module Descriptors
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
JOUR60181
Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 6
15 credits
Contact
Leader:
Email:
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 24
Independent Study Hours: 126
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
  • PORTFOLIO weighted at 75%
  • REPORT weighted at 25%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
Portfolio to consist of:
A sample of new, original, self-originated content for a specific or specific type of employer - e.g. a news website, local radio, a TV station, music magazines, a newspaper group etc. The exact nature of the content, 2,000 words (or broadcast content equivalent agreed with tutor), is determined in negotiation with the tutor. Sample Students will effectively be working as freelances and MUST produce evidence that they have offered their content to specific and appropriate publications, broadcasters, websites or other relevant organisations. Students will also write a 250-word reflective evaluation. Total word count - 2,250. Deadline - end of the first semester. (75% of the overall module assessment.) (LO 1, 2 and 3)

Report to consist of:
A CV of approximately 250 words and a written report of approximately 500 words covering: analysis of personal strengths and weaknesses and how they were addressed or used to advantage; research into employment opportunities; plans for employment. Total word count - 750. Deadline -end of the second semester. (25% of the overall module assessment.) (LO 1 and 3)
Module Resources
Newsrooms, media centre equipment loans, general computer facilities, library.
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
The purpose of this module is to provide a year-long focus on career development. Identifying the opportunities; realising the expectations of employers; analysing how employability can be developed and enhanced and understanding how to get jobs and freelance work.
A fortnightly lecture for all students on this module will be delivered by staff tutors and speakers from industry bodies such as The Press Association, the BBC, the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists), the BJTC (Broadcast Journalism Training Council), Sky and the CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations).
Each of these lectures will be preceded or followed by a seminar for each award group - e.g. sports journalism students will have a seminar conducted by sports journalism tutors. The seminars will be used for discussion and to outline and develop what students will be required to do produce for assessments - working on producing content for publication or broadcast, addressing personal weaknesses, researching job and freelance opportunities and developing an effective CV. Students will be required to organise themselves into small study/tutorial groups, with group members working together throughout the year.
Module Learning Strategies
12 lectures (12 hours) - for all students on this module, delivered by journalism team tutors and guest lecturers.

12 seminars (12 hours) - separate seminars for students according to their award, delivered by their award team.

126 hours - independent research, study and content production supplemented by group tutorial.

150 hours in total.
Module Texts
Gary Hudson and Sarah Rowlands (2007) The Broadcast Journalism Handbook (Harlow: Pearson Education)
Martin James (2009) The Popular Music Press Handbook (Abingdon: Routledge)
Richard Rudin and Trevor Ibbotson (2002) An Introduction to Journalism: essential techniques and background knowledge (Oxford: Focal Press)
Rob Steen (2008) Sports Journalism: a multimedia primer (Abingdon: Routledge)
The Unsigned Guide (2009) (Manchester: mcr:music)
Willings Press Guide (2008) (Chesham: Cision)
www.guardian.co.uk
www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk
www.jobs4journalists.co.uk
www.pressgazette.co.uk
www.journalism.co.uk
www.sportsjournalists.co.uk
www.broadcastfreelancer.com
www.broadcastnow.co.uk
www.jobsinbroadcast.co.uk
www.themusicdirectory.co.uk
www.musicweek.com
www.prweekjobs.co.uk
jobs.brandrepublic.com
www.gorkanapr.com
www.ukpragencies.com
www.prnewswire.co.uk
www.prca.org
www.cipr.co.uk
www.pfj.co.uk