Module manager: Imke Henkel
Email: I.Henkel@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module aims to develop students’ understanding of the role of journalism in society and the interaction between journalists and the political sphere. By developing an understanding of the relationship between the news media, politics and the public students will be equipped with the necessary theoretical basis to critically engage in debates about journalism and its role in the democratic process.
The module will develop students’ ability to critically reflect on the role of journalism in society. Students will cover a range of concepts key to developing a framework for understanding the academic study of journalism and its relationship with democracy. Students will understand the structures and workings of local, regional and national government and the implications of this for the provision of public services. They will also gain an understanding of the implications of the recent approaches of political parties and governments to governance and the role of the news media in elections. Students will also examine the relationship between journalists/news media and the public, including concepts of the public as voters, citizens, sources of public opinion, consumers, the audience and news sources. The module will encourage students to begin identifying links between the type and quality of news produced by journalists and hypotheses about the impact of the social, political and economic context in which news and current affairs is produced.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Use evidence to support scholarly arguments about the role of journalists in society.
2. Critically analyse how the public and political spheres influence the production of news.
3. Describe the relationship between journalism, politics and society
4. Explain the relationship between civic/political structures, the delivery of public services and democratic accountability.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Identify and analyse appropriate scholarly texts in the field of media/journalism studies and political communications.
6. Demonstrate a familiarity with producing written work - in the essay format - that is consistent with the first semester of a degree in journalism.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 180 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Student progress will be monitored via participation in seminars, including informal presentations, as well as through assessed work scheduled in the middle and at the end of the semester.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Critical Analysis | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50 | |
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