University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Revised October 2008)
Code: UACPMH-30-3 Title: Multimedia Journalism Version: 4
Level: 3 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: Creative Arts Field: Culture and Media Studies Field Leader: J Arthurs
Faculty Committee Approval: Q & S Committee Date: July 2010 – Chairs action
Valid from: Sept 2010 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: Awards up to BA Journalism Half Award or BA Media and Cultural Studies
Pre-requisites: UACPRM-30-2 Journalism and Public Communication, OR UPCPAV-30-2 Journalism and Society
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate:
• an understanding of diverse forms of journalism within a historical framework (assessed through Components A)
• knowledge of different forms of contemporary journalism and a critical engagement with current scholarly debates over them (assessed through Components A)
• an ability to understand the potential of changing technical and cultural contexts for the development of novel forms of journalistic practice. (assessed through Components A and B)
• the ability to apply understanding of new journalistic forms online to reflexive practical work (assessed through Component B)
• creation and management of journalism web site, utilizing software and technical skills learned in the workshops (assessed through Component B)
Syllabus outline:
Multimedia Journalism focuses on theorized practice. Students are introduced to a variety of issues centred on the relation between technology and journalism in historical context. We also consider specific issues relating to online journalism such as convergence, and the adaptation of news to the online environment; the legal issues of the “borderless” online environment, and the implications of technology for freedom of expression.
The module also offers hands-on experience in designing and operating an electronic magazine on the Internet, and the journalism and graphic skills involved in these tasks. Its purpose is to offer students an applied journalism experience focusing on both traditional and new media skills in the construction of a multilinear nonfiction e-zine with the reader's interests and journalistic integrity as the predominant factors. Students will learn to report and create stories using a variety of media—including text, photography, audio and video. In addition to learning software skills, students will learn to think and execute stories in true multimedia fashion and prepare for the converged newsroom. The focus of the class will initially be the creation of an e-zine. Subsequently, students will expand the e-zine and report, produce, and team edit stories over the course of the semester
Teaching and learning methods:
Multimedia workshops will be integrated as the core teaching and learning methods. These will be supported by lectures, as well as regular discussion and exercises in the workshop space. Students will also develop their practice through regular contributions to an e-zine.
Reading Strategy
Students will be required to engage a series of readings indicated in the module handbook. These will be discussed in class and students will be required to draw on them in their assessed work. 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:
Allan, S. |
Online News: Journalism and the Internet (Maidenhead and New York: Open University Press, 2006) |
Atton, C. |
Alternative Media (London: Sage, 2002) |
Atton, C. and Hamilton, J. |
Alternative Journalism (London: Sage, 2008) |
Gunter, B. |
News and the Net. (Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2003) |
Pavlik, J. |
Journalism and New Media. New York: (Columbia University Press 2001) |
Winston, B. |
Media, Technology and Society. A History: From the Telegraph to the Internet. (London: Routledge, 1998) |
Hall, J. |
Online Journalism, (London: Pluto, 2001). |
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 70% B: 30%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element weighting
1. Research portfolio 20%
2. Online presentation with supporting documentation including workbook 50%
Component B
Description of each element weighting
1. Essay (3000 words) 30%
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)
Component A
Description of each element weighting
1. Research portfolio 20%
2. Online presentation with supporting documentation including workbook 50%
Component B
Description of each element weighting
1. Essay (3000 words) 30%
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………Date ………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)