Portfolio 100% weighting
A substantial portfolio of mixed media content compiled throughout the module by publication on StaffsLive, and other output such as newspaper pages, radio and TV news bulletins. Content should demonstrate a variety of subjects, topics, styles and demonstrate a professional standard, mixed media (text, images, audio, video) approach to producing a wide range of content for a specified local/regional online audience. Portfolios MUST also include an activity log, to be completed weekly, analysing individual and team performance, and a reflective evaluation outlining the student's experiences and self-development throughout the module
(weighting 100%, word count 7,000 words or equivalent, learning outcomes 1-7)

Key Information Set:
100% Coursework

Students will work as a team to devise, source and produce original stories across a broad range of areas (news, sports, entertainments, features etc.) and present suitable articles of a professional standard for publication and broadcast to deadlines determined by nature of each story's need for immediacy.
Students will research, gather, record, interview for and source original story ideas for a range of subject areas (eg. council, crime, sport, ents) which will be suitable for publication and broadcast.
Timetabled news/production days will take place each week throughout both semesters in which bulletins and newspaper pages will also be produced using Staffslive content.
Weekly feedback sessions at the end of a newsweek will be held with tutors to reflect on issues faced in sourcing and producing stories, ethical considerations, and to forward plan for content to be covered, obstacles likely to be encountered etc.

This module is largely self-directed by students, supported by timetabled newsdays which will include group feedback sessions on completion of each week.
There will be introductory sessions at the start to offer guidance and TI sessions to refresh online and broadcast technical. They will also be issued with updated Staffslive guides, and regular communication will be encouraged on online forums via the use of platforms such as Blackboard and closed group social media channels. Students will also benefit from regular face-to-face and online tutorials to assess progress

Key Information Set:
Learning & Teaching hours
40% scheduled learning activities
60% guided independent study

Print and broadcast newsrooms/post production
StaffsLive
Media stores/Siso for equipment such as flashmics, video cameras and stills cameras
Regional/national newspapers
Blackboard VLE will be available (where relevant) to support this module.
Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Belair-Gagnon, V (2015) Social Media at BBC News, Routledge
Bradshaw, P & Rohumaa, L (2011), The Online Journalism Handbook, Pearson
Cole, P & Harcup,T (2010) Newspaper Journalism, Sage
Frost, Chris (2002) Reporting for Journalists, London, Routledge
Frost, C (2011) Journalism: Ethics and Regulation 3rd edition, Pearson
Harcup, Tony (2007) The Ethical Journalist, London, Sage
Harcup, Tony (2015) Journalism: Principles and Practice, 3rd edition, Sage
Hudson, G. & Rowlands, S (2012) The Broadcast Journalism Handbook, Pearson
Kelly, S (2015) The Entrepreneurial Journalist’s Toolkit, Focal Press
Lieb, T (2015) Editing for the Digital Age, Sage
McBride & Rosentiel (2013), The New Ethics of Journalism, Sage
McKane, Anna (2014) Newswriting, 2nd Edition, Sage
Pape, Susan, Featherstone, Sue (2006) Feature Writing: A Practical Introduction London, Sage
Quinn, Frances (2011) Law for Journalists, 3rd ed, London, Pearson
Sissons, Helen (2007) Practical Journalism: How to Write News, London, Sage
Staffordshire University Journalism Dept (2007), Journalism Style Guide, Staffs University

1. IDENTIFY ORIGINAL CONTENT AND PRIORITY FOR PUBLICATION, SOUND EDITORIAL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT MAKES A STORY AND ABILITY TO FIND THE ANGLE TO A PROFESSIONAL STANDARD. [Knowledge & Understanding]

2. RESEARCH, WRITE AND PRODUCE CONTENT IN A STYLE APPROPRIATE TO MULTI-PLATFORM ORGANISATION AND PRESENT STORIES TO A PROFESSIONAL STANDARD. [Application]

3. RESEARCH, INTERVIEW AND GATHER VOX POPS AND EDIT FOR ONLINE APPROPRIATE TO A TARGET NEWS AUDIENCE. [Practical and Professional]

4. DEMONSTRATE STRONG MANAGEMENT SKILLS WITHIN A TEAM, AND AN ABILITY TO EDIT STORY CONTENT, STRUCTURE AND STYLE TO A PROFESSIONAL STANDARD. [Learning]

5. DEMONSTRATE STRONG PITCHING ABILITY AND AN ABILITY TO PROMOTE AND DEFEND A STORY IN GROUP FEEDBACK. [Communication]

6. DISPLAY APPROPRIATE LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND WORK PRODUCTIVELY WITHIN A TEAM. [Communication]

7. CRITICALLY ANALYSE AND REFLECT ON STORY GATHERING AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES IN FEEDBACK SESSIONS AND EVALUATIVE REPORT. [Reflection]