BA (Hons) Journalism Course Brochure

unDErGrADuATE CoursE GuiDE 2012 ABERDEEN BUSINESS SCHOOL•ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY•ABERDEEN

JOURNALISM

Journalism 2 What and when: course overview 10 …and course detail 12 How will I be taught?

14 Key facts 15 What next? 16

Choosing a course isn’t straightforward.

There’s loads of detail you need to know. Where will I study?

What topics are covered?

How will I be assessed?

Plus you also want to gain a ‘feel’ for things – ideally, direct and honest from some current or recent students.

In this brochure we’ve combined both of these: hard facts with real views.

And we’ve tried to keep things short and clear, so you don’t get put off by more information than you need.

Our aim is to give you a quick, genuine and useful insight into our courses. If there’s anything more you’d like to know, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

JOURNALISM BA (Hons) UCAS P500

INTRODUCTION:

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“The modules are not only really interesting and useful; I can also see their relevance to daily life – which is very motivating!�

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JOURNALISM BA (Hons) UCAS P500

Richard Crighton BA (Hons) Journalism

“RGU is a great university with modern facilities – and with courses which attract employers. My course offered me the chance to experience a lot of practical journalism and, although the course was new when I started, it looked exciting.

“I’ve had a number of great moments during my studies.

Getting out and about and learning the skills needed to be a journalist was always good, particularly filming assignments. There’s a good blend of academic work with the more practical aspects. I started working at a local weekly newspaper while I still had six months of my course left, and there’s no doubt that the skills I learned throughout my study years at RGU have benefited me.”

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“I have met people that I know I will remain friends with, long after I have finished at RGU.”

The media industries are rapidly expanding.

They provide a wide range of opportunities for graduates properly equipped with a critical knowledge base and production skills appropriate to those industries, as well as a broad range of managerial, professional and technological knowledge and skills.

Career options Possible careers are in areas such as newspapers, radio, television and online.

Job titles include that of reporter, researcher, web designer, presenter and writer.

Journalism at ABS provides the foundation for a wide range of career opportunities.

The skills you acquire also open up opportunities in a wide variety of careers beyond the journalistic profession. The ‘media industry’ encompasses a wide range of different careers, and is expanding exponentially.

PROSPECTS:

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JOURNALISM BA (Hons) UCAS P500

PROSPECTS:

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ANDREW JONES COURSE LEADER

“Our aim is simple. We want to equip our students with the skills, knowledge and understanding that will launch a sustainable career in the media.”

“Your learning will be enhanced by purpose built teaching facilities which include a news room, TV and radio studio.”

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JOURNALISM BA (Hons) UCAS P500

PLACEMENTS:

GET YOUR NAME KNOWN nothing beats real experience. it makes your studies seem real. Tests your understanding of topics. And helps you get an idea of what you might like to do after graduating.

(Plus it’s a great thing to have on your CV.) The six week placement in year 3 provides the opportunity to gain practical experience in an area of your choice within the media industries.

This is also an invaluable opportunity to establish links with potential employers.

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Employers we have links with > > > > > > >

Scotsman Publications The Big Issue BBC Bauer Radio Original Radio Aberdeen Journals STV

“I really enjoyed the scope which the course offered.

It has opened my eyes to different areas of journalism which I might consider.”

Fiona Stokes BA (Hons) JournAlism

“I attended an open day at RGU as I had applied for the Publishing with Journalism course at the university, but on the day itself I learned about the newly-developed Journalism course. After finding out what was on offer, I decided RGU was where I wanted to go.

“The course covers a wide variety of subjects, both academic and practical, and my six-week work placement at a local evening newspaper provided me with a vast amount of experience of writing – I was fortunate enough to get a front page story. I also gained invaluable experience of working to a deadline.

The course had given me the basis to ensure that, within the high pressure working environment of my placement, I felt completely prepared.”

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JournAlism BA (Hons) UCAS P500

WHAT & WHEN: COURSE OVERVIEW… KEY AREAS This course is based around variety. It combines theoretical, analytical and production elements.

This mixed approach is particularly important if you plan to use your degree to make a career in journalism.

You’ll study the ways that news is sourced, regulated, produced and consumed, and examine the effects of this output on audiences.

There‘s a particular focus on the importance of gathering original stories.

You’ll also carry out detailed analysis of newspapers, magazines, television and radio and the Internet, with regards to the structure and communication of information, meaning and enjoyment.

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PRACTICAL SKILLS You’ll gain considerable practical experience in reporting and production across print, broadcast and electronic platforms through a series of ultra-local news portals.

You’ll build up an extensive portfolio of original work while exploring the global media environment and the factors which impact on its strategic leadership. You’ll gain a thorough grounding in essential skills in print, broadcast and online journalism, as well as developing a sound knowledge of media law and politics to underpin your studies.

Additionally, this course gives you a wide range of key transferable skills in research, oral presentation techniques, time management and IT skills. All of these are essential for the wider media profession.

TEACHING SKILLS This is an intensive course, preparing you for a demanding career in journalism.

You will complete three or four modules per semester, undertake shorthand training, complete professional examinations, and take part in structured newsdays.

ACCREDITATION We have accreditation pending status from The Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC).

The course involves a range of lectures, tutorials and lab-based practical sessions. You will also be expected to complete five hours a week shorthand practice in year 1 before undertaking NCTJ examinations in law and politics.

Newsdays in years 2 and 3 will be timetabled in eight hour blocks.

There will also be weekly news reviews designed to discuss current issues in the media.

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JOURNALISM BA (Hons) UCAS P500

…& COURSE detail Year 1

Year 2

Semester One

Semester One

>> Introduction to Media Law >> News Writing >> Visual Culture and Design (30 credits)

>> Audio Production >> Desktop Publishing for Journalists >> Feature Writing >> Photojournalism

Semester Two >> Broadcast Journalism and Production (30 credits) >> Governing the UK >> Print Journalism

Semester Two >> Government in Britain >> Principles and Practice of Reporting (30 credits) >> Web Design

If you left now, you’d have…

Certificate of Higher Education in Journalism

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If you left now, you’d have…

Diploma of Higher Education in Journalism

YEAR 3

YEAR 4

Semester One

Semester One

> Advanced Law for Journalists > Applied News Production (30 credits) > Journalists on Film

> Digital News Portfolio (30 credits) > Journalism into Fiction OR Woman and Media > Research Methods

Semester Two > Fieldwork (30 credits) > Magazine Production (30 credits) If you left now, you’d have…

BA Journalism

Semester Two > Dissertation (30 credits) Plus TWO options: > Celebrity Culture > Media Strategy > Political Communication If you left now, you’d have…

BA (Hons) Journalism

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How will I be taught?

You’ll learn through a range of delivery modes, including lectures, tutorials, seminars and IT lab-based practical activity.

The nature of the course is interactive: you’ll apply theory to practice, and consider a range of problems, issues and case studies, including live client projects.

How much work’s involved?

Typical contact hours are 3–4 per module per week, although this varies between modules. Typically, students are expected to devote 150 hours of study to each module – this includes class contact time, reading and research, additional time spent in labs, TV and radio studios, and studying for assessments.

You’re required to actively participate in the learning process.

Our courses are intensive, yet highly enjoyable and engaging, and most students become highly motivated to develop their skills and knowledge abilities to a high level. You need to attend regularly and engage with every component to achieve a satisfactory level of performance.

Similarly you’ll need to extend your learning from formally delivered methods through wider reading, research, and self-directed study.

Students are expected to utilise the full range of resources available to them, in support of all their studies.

As you develop over the course, you’re expected to become increasingly self-motivated and self-supporting, taking greater control of your studies, and defining your personal objectives.

You’ll also be encouraged to reflect critically on your learning, and to establish a view of your own progress and development, which may form the basis of tutorial guidance with staff.

What support is there?

You will be supported by a range of Learner Support Systems, ranging from personal tutors, to academic and professional support from course tutors (including regular surgery sessions in each module) and from the Study Support Centre.

The main vehicle for independent learning is the personal researchbased dissertation. For this, you’ll receive training and instruction in: >> Aspects of methodology >> The nature of research >> Writing a research proposal >> Sourcing relevant information >> Collection, analysis and synthesis of data >> Research ethics >> Writing up your work

Enterprise Skills: The Charles P Skene Enterprise Programme Enterprise skills are critical in every 21st century career; they not only boost your employability, but can also be the key to survival when selfemployed. Which is why, at RGU, we now offer all our students real-life experience and tuition in entrepreneurial skills.

The Enterprise Programme introduces all students to enterprise skills through a series of lectures, workshops and master-classes. In addition, it provides access to many other exciting activities including a unique business incubator designed to help students transform embryonic ideas into fully fledged business opportunities.

To find out more visit www.rgu.ac.uk/business-incubator

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key facts

Alternative qualifications

Study options

Equivalent overseas qualifications, SQA, BTEC and some access programmes will be considered.

Full-time: 4 years

Degree link programme Journalism Entry to year 3 may be possible if you’ve completed an HND in Journalism.

Placement A six week placement in year 3.

Professional accreditation We have accreditation pending status from the Broadcast Journalism Training Council.

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WHAT NEXT?

The next thing to do is talk to us.

We can answer any questions you may have. Simply call us on 01224 262728 or email UGOffice@rgu.ac.uk We also provide a range of opportunities for you to visit us – so you can see what we can offer you ďŹ rst hand.

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This course guide is intended as a guide for applicants for courses delivered by Robert Gordon University.

In compiling it the University has taken every care to be as accurate as possible, and the information in this course guide is correct at the time of going to print, but the course guide must be read as subject to change at any time and without notice. The University undertakes to make every reasonable effort to provide the teaching and academic facilities necessary for applicants’ programmes of study. However the University reserves the right, if such action is considered to be necessary, to make variations to fees and/or to vary the content or delivery method of any course at any time. In addition, the University may, at its sole discretion, discontinue or amalgamate any course(s). In these rare cases the University will notify applicants as soon as possible and reasonable steps will be taken to provide a suitable alternative to a discontinued course.

Open Day

Applicants’ Day

We organise two annual open days in October and November each year. It’s a perfect opportunity to visit us, meet the academic staff, experience the first-class facilities and talk to current students.

When you apply for any course at ABS, you’ll be invited to one of our course-specific Applicants’ Days.

For full details of dates and times, and to see a full programme please see www.rgu.ac.uk/openday.

We realise there’s a lot involved in making your final choice, so we hope to give you all the insight and information you need.

Visit Afternoons We hold monthly Visit Afternoons.

The visit includes a talk by an Education Liaison Officer, a tour of the facilities and a chance to speak to a lecturer about the course you’re interested in.

Aberdeen Business School Robert Gordon University Garthdee Road Aberdeen AB10 7QE Talk to us.

We can answer any questions or queries you may have.

Simply call us on 01224 262728, email UGOffice@rgu.ac.uk or visit us at rgu.ac.uk

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