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Course Description
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Course Name
Thinking About Journalism 1
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Host University
Kingston University
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Location
London, England
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Area of Study
Journalism
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Language Level
Taught In English
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Course Level Recommendations
Lower
ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.
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Credits
4 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits4
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Recommended U.S. Quarter Units0
Hours & Credits
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Overview
Course Content:
This module offers a critical introduction to the discipline of journalism in all its forms,
with particular emphasis on news. At its heart is a question central to studying
journalism: why do journalists approach their trade in the way(s) they do, and what are
the values, norms and assumptions underpinning their professional practice?Topics covered include:
? What are the rules, norms and conventions underpinning professional
journalism/reporting?
? What do we mean by 'news values', journalistic objectivity, and the public
interest?
? What is the difference between stories judged to be 'in the public interest' and
those purely 'of interest to the public'?
? What values underpin journalists' choice of sources, and what impact do these
have on their intended and/or apparent objectivity?
? Introduction to academic theories about the practice of journalists and news
organisations - including framing, priming, agenda-setting, and active audience
theory
? The role of the informed/media-literate citizen in the construction of
contemporary news narratives - and challenging the mainstream media
? Examples of good and bad journalism practice in relation to news values,
objectivity and the public interest
? How to research, structure and reference academic essays, and how to approach
exam revisionAUTUMN SEMESTER:
What is journalism? What is news?, constructing or manufacturing the news?, framing
the new1: sources, media owners and agenda shaping, use of language to set an agenda,
how to critique and evaluate academic texts, how to research an essay, how to write an
essay, ?public interest? journalism.
SPRING SEMESTER: journalists and their ?audiences?
Journalist-reader power dynamics, audience reception and case for/against media
effects, news as entertainment, the future of news and its audiences: RIP Print? Towards
new monopolies?Teaching:
Lectures and seminarsAssessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? 1,500 word portfolio of material (1000-word essay) and 500-word critique
? 1 hour exam
STUDY OPTION 2: 1000-word essay
STUDY OPTION 3: 1000-word essay (tbc)Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer
Course Disclaimer
Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam and/or pre-requisites.
Some courses may require additional fees.
Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.
Please reference fall and spring course lists as not all courses are taught during both semesters.
Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.