Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Master of Arts - MA

Alternative Exit

Programme Offerings

Full-Time

F2F-JMU-SEP

Part-Time

F2F-JMU-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

To provide journalism skills training of newsgathering, writing and production in print, online and broadcast for students who have no previous experience in the journalism industry; To provide working journalists or those with a serious interest in journalism the opportunity to critically evaluate the products of journalism; To provide students with the skills to be able to critically analyse and understand the structures and frameworks within which journalism works; To enable students to synthesize knowledge from several different disciplines to apply it to journalism; To allow students to develop research skills at Masters level evidenced by a research dissertation; To enable students to develop the ability to situate the study of Journalism within the broader debates in media and cultural theory; To provide students with a working knowledge of international relations that is relevant to the concerns of mainstream news organisations; To provide an educational experience which facilitates the development of all students irrespective of race, gender, physical ability and sexual orientation; To offer an opportunity for students to evaluate and critically analyse the vocation of Journalism as practiced internationally; To assist students to develop their understanding and knowledge of the practice of Journalism internationally; To develop intellectual skills of effective communication through media technologies, research skills and the ability to situate the study of Journalism within the broader debates of global media and cultural theory as well as providing transferable skills of effective teamworking and self-sufficiency. The programme allows students to gain a sound understanding of the nature and operation of journalism in a rapidly changing international environment. As with all Master's level programmes, study will be at, or be informed by, the forefront of the academic and professional discipline. Students will show originality in the application of knowledge, and they will understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research. They will be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and they will be encouraged to show originality in tackling and solving problems. They will have the qualities needed for employment in circumstances requiring sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative, in complex and unpredictable professional environments.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the development and operation of media in a national and international context;
2.
Demonstrate a comparative understanding of the roles that media play in different societies;
3.
Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse particular media forms and genres and the way in which they organise understandings, meanings and effects;
4.
Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of technology in terms of media production, access and use;
5.
Demonstrate a critical awareness of the economic forces which frame the media and the role of such industries in specific areas of contemporary political and cultural life;
6.
Show an ability to examine and critique the social, cultural and political histories from which different media and communication practices have emerged;
7.
Show an ability to evaluate key production processes and demonstrate competence in professional practices relevant to media and communicative industries.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Students are taught with a wide mix of teaching methods including lectures, demonstrations, screenings, seminars, workshops, work simulations; tutorials, group and individual project work, live projects, supervised independent learning, open and resource-based learning, multi-media and new media learning, production practice; large and small group and individual learning and teaching situations; tutor-led, student-led and independent learning sessions. Specialist IT resources and other studio-based resources play an important part in the delivery. Essays, reviews and reports; seen examinations; individual and group presentations (whether oral and/or technology based); critical self- and peer-evaluation; role-analyses/evaluations; logbooks, diaries and autobiographical writing; individual or group portfolios of work (whether critical, creative, self-reflective, or the outcome of the professional practice); group and individually produced artefacts, including productions in sound, audio-visual or other media; individual and group project reports; research exercises; tasks aimed the assessment of specific skills (e.g. IT skills, production skills, research skills, skills of application).

Opportunities for work related learning

It is intended that much of the study will support work done either as simulated workplace learning in workshops or as part of the student’s occupation. Students are encouraged to contact news organisations and seek work shadowing placements or internships. The department also organises regular events and Master classes where journalists and media professionals are invited to give presentations. These events offer excellent networking opportunities for students to make contact with people in the industry, which can lead to placement opportunities.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

Participants must choose EITHER 7124JOURN Multimedia Journalism and 7029JOURN Magazine Production or 7128JOURN Advanced Broadcast Journalism (for students who have not worked as professional journalists) OR 7025JOURN Reflecting on Professional Practice and 7030JOURN Journalism Project (for students who have worked as professional journalists).

Entry Requirements

Alternative qualifications considered

Other international requirements

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH24-01) media, journalism and communications