Module manager: John Sinclair
Email: j.sinclair@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
| COMM2410 | Journalism Practice |
| COMM3910 | Communication Dissertation |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is an optional final year project that allows students to refine the journalistic, practical and creative skills they have developed at levels 1 and 2 in the production of a long-form piece of journalism, with associated web content. Students will be required to frame the production of these artefacts in wider scholarly debate surrounding the production of radio or television news. Students will engage with critical debates concerning the responsibilities of programme makers, especially the specialist role of documentary producer. They will demonstrate an understanding of the challenges and demands of researching a news story and then producing a report that best exploits their chosen medium. They will be expected to demonstrate advanced creative and technical skills in the production of a current affairs TV report or an extended radio documentary feature. Students will be expected to work independently, under supervision, to demonstrate effective self-management and decision-making when operating autonomously in the planning and execution of a long-form creative project.
On completion of the module students should be able to:
1 Research, plan and produce long-form news/documentaries suitable for TV or Radio and Web pages
2 Produce work to the editorial and stylistic norms of a chosen TV or radio programme or 'strand.'
3 Demonstrate decision making and organisational skills through the production of news/documentary artefacts
4 Produce news/documentary work within relevant legal, regulatory and ethical constraints
5 Situate and critique their journalistic work with reference to academic debates and concepts
Advanced audio-visual and digital production skills
Students will undertake self-directed study under academic supervision to complete a portfolio of work. Students will study some additional topics including: documentary structure, scriptwriting, advanced recording and mixing techniques, multimedia narrative, advanced filming techniques and creative storytelling in a current affairs context.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-in Session | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lecture | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Practical | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Seminar | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tutorial | 6 | 0.3 | 2 |
| Private study hours | 384 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 16 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Research related to project production - 92 hours
Research and writing of individual critical analyses - 92 hours
Individual production work - 200hours
Students are required to pitch their project idea to staff through a verbal presentation, supported by an associated written treatment, and will then receive verbal feedback.
6 individual supervision meetings with designated academic supervisor supporting research, preproduction, production and post-production work-in-progress.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay or Dissertation | 2000-2500 word critical analysis of project work | 40 |
| Practical | One 15-20 minute radio work or one 5-7 min TV work | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Students are able to resit all components as required. Resit will take the form of a new submission of project work.
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