Year 1 (national level 4):
Core modules:
Essential Media Law and Regulation (20 credits)
Learn the laws and ethical codes journalists must consider when preparing and publishing legally-safe and ethically-responsible content for print, online, broadcast and social media platforms. Explore areas including anonymity, libel, privacy, copyright, contempt of court and other statutes which affect journalistic practice and output.
Media Histories (20 credits)
Trace the evolution of the mass media from the advent of print journalism in the 16th century, through the establishment of the press, radio and television industries to the multi-platform digital and online technology of today.
Essential Journalism (20 credits)
Learn role of the journalist and the range of practical skills needed to produce news, magazine and sports content, including research, newsgathering, interviewing, copy presentation and writing style.
Digital Storytelling (20 credits)
Develop digital skills for an online audience such as infomaps, graphics and other non-traditional storytelling techniques.
Feature Writing (20 credits)
Learn to write journalism in a more creative manner, using a sense of voice and some of the techniques of creative writing to produce informative, entertaining, and occasionally provocative articles for print and online. Look at aspects of journalistic style and consider the work of great feature writers and columnists.
Optional modules (choose one):
Essential Fashion Journalism (20 credits)
Learn how to report from the catwalk and the red carpet, forecast new fashion trends, and shoot street-style photography to develop a portfolio of fashion journalism, published on Fashion North. Research and critically analyse a fashion brand of your choice to understand the historical, economic and creative context of that brand, reflecting on its strengths and weaknesses.
Online Sports Journalism (20 credits)
Discover a range of tools and techniques for publishing sports content online. Learn how to use a basic content management system to create a website and populate the site with a range of written, audio and visual content. Explore techniques for curating content, gathering user-generated content and interacting with audiences.
Introduction to PR Theory and Practice (20 credits)
Gain an introduction to the theory and practice of public relations, enabling you to position PR within a business context. Trace the emergence and development of PR through analysis of case studies and theoretical models. Develop key skills in planning, strategy, team working, news release writing and communication skills across a range of media.
Style Icons and Subcultures (20 credits)
Apply research and analytical skills to develop and evaluate written and visual material contexualising fashion history within the wider fashion world. Critically analyse the key theoretical arguments in fashion and build an awareness of the major designers, brands, publications and companies in the industry today. Develop a critical understanding of cultural, political and societal issues and events that have shaped fashion and the fashion media.
Essential Sports Reporting (20 credits)
Gain an introduction to the roles of sports journalists. Learn the history and traditions of sports journalism, recent developments in the profession and current sports news issues. Develop an understanding of key sports, and how these sports are structured and run. Build your sports journalism skills writing content for the SportsByte website and learn techniques for analysing a variety of sports reporting.