Module manager: John Sinclair
Email: J.Sinclair@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
| COMM1305 | Introduction to Journalism |
COMM1345 Journalism News Skills
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module introduces students to key concepts in media law and the way in which journalists report within legal and regulatory constraints. It also provides students with further practice in news production – researching and reporting stories which have a legal or ethical dimension. During the module students will attend a visit to a law court to observe the legal system in action.
This module builds on COMM1305 to introduce students to key concepts in media law relating to England and Wales. Students will learn how to report new stories within legal and regulatory contraints. The role of regulatory and self-regulatory bodies will also be explored.
1. Demonstrate an understanding of ethics, law and regulation relevant to the practice of journalism and apply this in the production of journalistic work.
2. Apply knowledge of relevant media law and regulation in the production of news reports.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of key legal and regulatory bodies that are important to journalists.
Legal reporting skills, research skills, news writing skills.
Teaching in lectures will cover law, regulation and ethics and also provide students with an introduction to key institutions relevant to journalism – such as courts and media regulators.
Workshops will provide an opportunity for the exploration of key concepts, legislation and media policy. Students will also receive hands-on experience in research and writing news stories that have a legal or ethical dimension and will receive formative feedback.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Practical | 11 | 2 | 22 |
| Private study hours | 155 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 45 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
During private study students will be expected to complete reading tasks in preparation for practical workshops. They will also study independently in revising for their written exam and unseen practical exam - revising key aspects of legislation, common law and regulatory codes.
The hands on approach to teaching on the module provides students with frequent opportunities for formative feedback in terms of their legal reporting and research skills. Students will have the opportunity to sit a ‘mock’ law exam in their workshop classes and will be provided with feedback on this in time to support their preparation for the exam. Students will also receive formative feedback on practice law reports completed in-class.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S2) | 1.0 Hrs 30 Mins | 40 |
| Unseen Practical exam (S2) | 3.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100 | |
The standard exam is a PFP element and, as such, must be passed for credits to be awarded. This is a requirement of the accrediting body (the Broadcast Journalism Training Council)
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 6/4/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team