University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised October 2008)

Code: UACPMG-30-3 Title: Journalism Dissertation Version: 2

Level: 3 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: Project

Owning Faculty: Creative Arts Field: Culture and Media Studies Field Leader: J Arthurs

Valid from: April 2008 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: Awards up to BA Journalism Half Award and…(another half award)

Pre-requisites: Journalism and Public Communication

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• define a coherent and practicable topic within Journalism Studies that is of special interest to them;

• clearly identify research questions to structure enquiries;

• work independently;

• gather, organise, present and interpret research;

• explain and evaluate research methods;

• construct clear and persuasive arguments supported with appropriate examples;

• produce work to required length and high presentation standards.

Syllabus outline:

The module consists of two main parts:

Workshops – In order to help students develop and focus ideas, learn about research methods and resources, and to write a dissertation proposal the module will begin with a series of workshops.

Individual Tuition – At the end of the workshop series students will be assigned a dissertation supervisor. Their role is to guide students individually through the process of researching and writing up their dissertation.

Teaching and learning methods:

This module will be delivered mainly through workshops and individual tuition as detailed in the syllabus outline.

Reading Strategy

Copies of the indicative sources will be made available in the Short Loan Collection. Lists of Further Reading will be provided. Copies of journal articles will be available electronically though the Library Catalogue.

Indicative sources:

Bell, Judith Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education and Social Science, (Milton Keynes: Open University Press, 1987).

Blaxter, Hughes How to Research, (Buckingham: Open University Press, 1996).

& Tight

Hansen, A. et al (1998) Mass Communication Research Methods. London: Macmillan.

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 100%

This is a project module which only has one component of assessment.

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Dissertation (8000 words) 100%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Dissertation (8000 words) 100%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.

Specification confirmed by ………………………………Date …………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)