Course Resources Archive
MCC218: Themes and Concepts in News
| Module Title | Themes and Concepts in News |
|---|---|
| Module Code | MCC218 |
| Module Tutor | Ian Hepworth |
| School | Media |
| CAT Points | 15 |
| Level of Study | 5 |
| Pre-requisites | Before taking this module you must pass JOU101 |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Restrictions | None |
| Brief Description | News output across a range of forms will be examined in depth. Various content themes will be explored along with analysis of different conceptual areas such as 'bad news' and the role of the journalist as storyteller. |
| Indicative Syllabus | This module will develop knowledge and skills acquired in MCC118. Based on the principle that news output offers a representation of events that has been selected by journalists according to ultimately subjective criteria, the module will enhance students' critical awareness of this across all types of news media. Themes covered will include the importance of 'professionalism' as a determinant in journalistic behaviour; the role of the journalist as both personality and storyteller; negativity in news content; gender issues; subject areas such as globalisation and politics; and the different types of news audience. A theme that will run through the module is the way news presents 'reality' in a manner that appears to be objective and 'natural', but which may, on closer analysis, misrepresent people, issues and events through lack of contextual information. |
| Learning Outcomes | i. Knowledge and Understanding By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate that they: a) Demonstrate an ability to command and analyse specialist conceptual material and evaluate a range of relevant news themes b) Critically review and apply key theoretical concepts useful for exploring the production, output, style and content of news c) Critically interrogate the notion that journalists produce versions of reality through the application of 'professional norms', news production methods and routines, and the application of criteria for newsworthiness. d) Demonstrate an effective understanding of the impact of technology on news production and reception. e) Critically review heterogeneous nature of the news audience and the need to target specific markets in an increasingly competitive news production environment ii. Skills Students should be able to : a) Demonstrate a development of analytical skills, research and writing skills. b) Demonstrate a development in written work through communicating ideas effectively and evaluating primary source material. c) Demonstrate an ability to verbally communicate ideas in an effective manner, on a specialist topic. d) Develop an enquiring approach to their studies that rigorously questions all news material. |
| Learning and Teaching Activities | Staff/student contact: approx 20% Please note – staff/student contact may vary from the norm in modules with larger or smaller student numbers |
| Assessment (For further details see the Module Guide) | 001: 50% Coursework: Standard: 2000 words or equivalent 002: 50% Written Exam: End of year, unseen, closed book: 1.50 hours |
| Special Assessment Requirements | None |
| Indicative Resources | The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide. |
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