Awards
Target Award
Award Description:Master of Arts - MA
Alternative Exit
Programme Offerings
Full-Time
F2F-JMU-SEP
Educational Aims of the Course
To develop students’ understanding and knowledge of the practice of journalism, particularly broadcast journalism, in the UK style for use internationally; To provide journalism skills training of newsgathering, writing and production focusing in particular on broadcast journalism; To allow students for whom English is not a native language to develop their language skills alongside the development of their journalism knowledge and skills; 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; The programme is designed specifically for international students to gain a good understanding of the theory and practice of UK style journalism. The course helps students appreciate the rapidly changing global environment within which international news emerges. This programme also aims 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 team working and self-sufficiency whilst developing their ability to produce journalism of a sufficient quality to be suitable for broadcast. 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 theory and practice of UK style journalism, especially broadcast journalism, for use internationally.
2.
Demonstrate a critical approach to the analysis of the development and operation of media in a national and international context;
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).