Module manager: Associate Professor Kate Watkins
Email: k.watkins@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Parts of COMM1305 Introduction to Journalism
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module combines an introduction to key concepts and theories in the study of journalism with the development of news literacy. Drawing connections between journalistically produced news output and academic research into the factors and contexts that shape the production of news, the module equips students to critically reflect on the democratic role of news in society. Students will foster regular and critical habits of news engagement alongside an understanding of key ideas in Journalism Studies.
By the end of the module students will be able to explain key journalistic concepts, factors that shape the context of news production and to engage critically with them. In addition, the module seeks to expose students to a wide range of news media content, to build their familiarity with news conventions, values, norms and ethics. The module will enable students to apply news literacy skills to the critical analysis of examples of professional practice, thus relating news media output to key theories about how journalists, news organisations, news sources, and audiences shape and communicate news agendas.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Explain the key concepts and theories used to analyse and evaluate the factors that shape the practice of journalism and the production of news in a democratic society.
2. Apply key theoretical concepts and perspectives from the study of journalism to the analysis of news output.
3 Explain the journalistic principles, values and norms that guide the production of news such as the distinction between fact and opinion, objectivity, impartiality, transparency and journalism ethics.
4 Demonstrate an awareness of debates about contemporary changes and challenges to the professional and disciplinary boundaries of journalism.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Research skills: critique news output and the newsgathering decisions made by journalists and news organisations.
6. Critical thinking: weigh up different arguments and perspectives in the study of journalism and use supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, and apply theories
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminars | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 169 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 31 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
The news literacy assessment will be completed with students receiving frequent formative feedback in seminars and via online discussion boards.
An essay planning clinic will provide formative feedback for the essay assessment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | News literacy assessment | 40 |
| Coursework | Essay | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 12/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team