Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies

Course details

The creative world of journalism continues to attract many people. However, like many types of creative work, journalism is not based simply on initiative and enthusiasm but on fundamental skills and knowledge. Newcomers to the profession must be able to produce work worthy of being published or broadcast. They need skills such as the written word and verbal presentation of news, knowledge of the media and media law and the technical aspects of broadcasting.

Programme Aims and Objectives

The aim of the Diploma in Journalism & Media Studies is to provide these skills so that students can demonstrate their creative abilities. As part of this process, students will be provided with a thorough grounding in the role of the journalist; skills to research, write and present effective copy; skills in presenting publications for the market place; and an awareness of the legal environment in which the media operate. The Diploma aims to reflect this diversity by providing students with a set of key journalistic skills enhanced by a wide ranging knowledge base.

Course Structure

The programme will be delivered by means of wide range of teaching techniques including lectures, DVD’s, workshops, seminars and case studies. The course will run over one academic year, 2 evenings per week.

Assessment.

Assessment for the Diploma in Journalism and Media reflects the range of student's learning and uses a variety of information-gathering activities and strategies which allow students a range of opportunities to demonstrate their learning. Assessment includes short essays, in-class news writing activities; practical assignments and examinations.

Programme Content

Newspaper Journalism

• What is Journalism- What makes a good journalist?; the skills of a good journalist; roles in journalism
• Gathering News- News room; contacts & news leads; investigative reporting; developing story ideas
• Interviewing- Preparation; establishing confidence; coaxing answers; controversial interviews; vetting copy
• Newspaper Language- Newspaper english; journalese; sequence & structure; storytelling techniques; bad habits; style; punctuation; quotes;
• grammar
• News Reporting- politics; crime; business; industrial disputes; demonstrations; press conferences; speeches; sport
• Ethics- code of practice; press complaints; accountability; informants.

Broadcast Journalism

• News Gathering- What is news; news sources; getting the story
• Writing for Broadcast- Conversational Writing; News writing; Broadcast Style Book
• Interviewing- The Interview; Setting up the Interview; Vox Pops
• Broadcast News Programmes-Presenting the News; Duties & Dilemmas; Discussion and Magazine Programmes
• Radio- Development of Public Service Broadcasting: RTÉ and BBC Radio News Coverage; equipment; principles of recording; using sound recorders; editing
• Television- Television news; studio roles; fieldwork; chasing pictures; piece to camera; compiling the report
• News Studio- The set; control room; cameras; lights; sound; fieldwork
• Compiling the Report- Editing the image; visuals.

Sub-Editing

Students are provided with a firm grounding in sub-editing, primarily dealing with the physical handling, editing, cutting and re-writing of copy, along with proof-reading copy, writing headlines, standfirsts and captions. The module also equips students with the skills to handle a running story, using style guides, and avoiding clichés. Writing techniques, industrial, legal and ethical issues, examining newspaper design as well as a basic introduction to desktop publishing are also covered in this module.

Freelance & Feature Writing

This module is designed to equip students with the fundamental skills of feature writing, exploring the disciplines many guises, including reviews, opinion pieces, colour pieces, columns and analysis across a range of topics. The module equips students with research techniques and interview skills for writing feature articles. During this course, students are also introduced to freelance journalism, the advantages/potential pitfalls of being a non-staff reporter,

how to make a ‘pitch’ to commissioning editors, building your contacts list, finding an original angle etc. This module will also examine the media landscape in Ireland and writing for specialist publications.

Media Law & Ethics

Working within the media industry in Ireland today requires knowledge of the legal issues associated with libel and all its many forms. This module addresses areas such as copyright, criminal libel and racial hatred.