BJ1S61 - Introduction to Journalism 01 Sep 2025 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | BJ1S61 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Introduction to Journalism | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | ||
| Faculty Group: | Film and TV | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Film and TV | ||
| Module Leader: | Delme Parfitt | ||
| Module Team: | Rebecca Leach | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2025 | Final Year of Intake: | 2025 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 4 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100442 - journalism | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 1 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2025 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2026 |
Module Aims
To acquire an understanding of the standards and conventions of UK journalism practices, in the context of a fast-changing industry. To achieve a basic competence in finding and telling news stories, particularly in written formats, that are accurate, compelling. To achieve a basic competence in other forms of journalistic writing such as features, reviews, opinion and colour. To start to exploit the potential of smartphone-based mobile journalism.
Content Summary
Students will learn to find, report on and write basic news stories and enhance them with smartphone-friendly media to create journalism fit for industry use, with an emphasis on the generation of ideas and the need for accuracy. The module will develop skills and understanding of different styles of journalistic writing such as feature writing, reviews, opinion and colour. It will provide an introduction to exploiting the potential of smartphone usage in a mobile journalism environment exploring this in the context of breaking news and multi-platform storytelling. In addition, students will learn about the shifting industrial context of their own practice and understand the current trends and characteristics of the UK media environment, as well as selected examples from other nations.
Students will be expected to produce journalistic work on a regular basis throughout the module which will be critiqued by staff and, on occasion, fellow students. Students will then select their six best works for submission for the assessed portfolio which will include a range of journalistic artefacts.
Students will also produce a piece of self-reflective writing in which they will outline and analyse their work and experiences on the module. Contextualisation with current industry trends and best-practice, and also elements of practical journalism theory will be expected.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 18 |
| Seminar | 18 |
| Directed Study | 64 |
| Independent Study | 100 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Identify what makes news and how to find it |
| LO2 | To develop practical journalistic writing and communication skills |
| LO3 | Work in teams to source community news stories and distinguish how different media forms affect meaning and impact |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Self Reflective Assessment 1 | Report reflecting on students' work with regard to industry conventions and debates | 0 | 1200 | 30 | No | 40 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Portfolio 1 | Mixed media news stories | 0 | N/A | 70 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | LO3 | |
| Self Reflective Assessment 1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Portfolio 1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |