Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year one
Media, Culture, Politics
Year: 1
Media, Culture, Politics is an introduction to media studies that aims to demonstrate the importance and seriousness of the discipline, and to show how it can speak to the most pressing political issues of our time, namely disparities of wealth and power, as well as the question of environmental sustainability. To do this the module draws attention to the role of media and popular culture in reproducing social inequality, and it considers the ecological consequences of a contemporary culture that is dependent upon fossil fuels and driven by capital accumulation.
The objective of the module then is to encourage students to think critically about media production and consumption, and to other ways and forms of making and exchanging culture. To achieve this Media, Culture, Politics introduces students to a selection of thinkers who have contributed to the field. It then invites them to consider the ideas and concepts encountered on the module, and apply or adapt them to their own media practice, cultural experience and democratic participation.
Public Affairs for Journalists
Year: 1
The module introduces students to the structures of central and local government, including local government finance, and to the economy and economic development in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland. It will help to develop student skills and an understanding of the world on which they report. They will be encouraged to look critically and analytically at a wide range of related journalistic material.
Introduction to Journalism
Year: 1
The module is an introduction to the essential skills of newsgathering and news writing.
Students will learn how to spot a news story and to develop it for publication. The module will introduce students to the working life of journalists through guest lectures.
Introduction to Multi-platform Journalism
Year: 1
This module develops students' skills in newsgathering and reporting and introduces desktop publishing software for multi-platform production. Students will produce a portfolio of journalistic work. They will be encouraged to look critically and analytically at a wide range of journalism and to critically evaluate those items.
Year two
Key Concepts in Media Theory
Year: 2
This module will build on the work done in The Politics of Everyday Life by looking at some further key themes and concepts that have been established through the study of the media. Students will engage with theoretical positions in media studies and will be encouraged to critically analyse and reflect on these.
Introduction to Audio Journalism
Year: 2
This module introduces students to news gathering for audio bulletins. It uses live news days to encourage editorial decision-making. It instructs students in the technical and editorial process of producing audio items for live streaming and digital platforms.
Media Law and Regulation
Year: 2
This module offers a practical introduction to the range of legal and regulatory topics relevant to media professionals. At its core are defamation, privacy, contempt and copyright - the main areas of law pertinent to media production across all platforms. The module will examine how these impact on the output of the media. It will look at the various codes governing how the media operates and the ethical decisions that media professionals must make in complying with them. The module will demonstrate how to comply with this legislation and relevant codes while still generating engaging material. It will feature class discussions to test the learner's ability to apply this knowledge in decision-making pertinent to the work of media professionals.
Journalism, Society and International Conflict
Year: 2
The module offers a critical and historical examination of key concepts relating to journalism. These include objectivity, balance, sources, regulation, ethics and the influence that business, technology and politics has. This is used as a basis to examine reportage during and after Northern Ireland's Troubles. This expands out into the examination of the media reporting of international conflict. The module will employ specific case-study analyses of media coverage of inter-state and in state conflict. International case studies could include, for example, assessing how the "Syrian migrant crisis" has been reported in different media in various countries. The module is interactive with strong emphasis on student participation in debate and case study inquiries.
Year three
Advanced Multi-platform Journalism
Year: 3
This module develops students' skills in multi-platform newsgathering and reporting and introduces online, mobile and social media production. Students will produce a portfolio of journalistic work, including a work based learning project, and a reflection on the news production processes involved. They will be encouraged to look critically and analytically at a wide range of journalism and to critically evaluate those items.
Advanced Audio Journalism
Year: 3
This module introduces students to longer form reporting for audio platforms. It uses live news days to reinforce editorial decision-making. It instructs students in the technical and editorial process of producing items for live streaming and podcast.
Industry Contexts
Year: 3
This module introduces students to a range of job roles from across the media and creative industries to help them plan and apply for a short placement. The module helps students develop their understanding of defined job roles and build a range of resources to help them interface with the media industry more professionally.
Year four
Audio/Visual Journalism
Year: 4
This module builds on the broadcast/live streaming journalistic principles acquired in years one and two and introduces students to video reporting and TV studio skills.
Journalism Dissertation (SINGLE HONS)
Year: 4
This module enables the student to plan, research and write a Journalism dissertation of 8,000-10,000 words on an agreed topic selected by the student, with guidance, and produced under the supervision of a member of staff, with whom the student will meet regularly to discuss progress and receive feedback.
Investigative Journalism
Year: 4
One of journalism's main roles is to investigate what is really going on in society. This module provides the theoretical background, tools and the framework for producing an investigative project. The various research tools that can be used - freedom of information, statistical research, opinion polls, journalistic experiments, source tracking, public and public records - will be taught. Students then conduct their own investigation either collaboratively or solely. They will reflect on the learning to make a proposal for a larger Major Journalism Project completed in the following semester.
Year five
Journalism Major Project (SINGLE HONS)
Year: 5
This module allows the student to put into practice the skills acquired in the previous
journalism practice and theory modules. It will allow them to develop and refine their skills in journalism practice with a particular focus on producing a significant piece of investigative journalism and putting into an agreed format for public output. The resultant piece can be used as part of a portfolio for seeking employment and/or applying for further study. The module will be a mix of lectures, problem-based learning, production workshops and independent practice.
Journalism Research in a Global Context
Year: 5
This module considers journalism's role around the globe raising questions about ethics, objectivity, ownership and bias, social impact, economic and political influence. Students will learn to formulate their subject interest into answerable research questions. The module will enable them to produce well-designed and appropriately analysed research projects and give direction to the Journalism Dissertation in the next semester. This module will guide students as they pursue answers to those questions using appropriate methods.
