Introduction
UWE's MA Journalism course, with its blend of theory and practice, and an emphasis on the international and the ethical, should provide a shot in the arm for those seeking to understand or improve standards of independent journalism. Never has a sophisticated and deep understanding of journalism been more important.
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown
Columnist, Writer and Visiting Professor, UWE
The MA Journalism course at UWE is taught in the context of conventional journalism coming under threat and the communications industries going through rapid changes. It is ever more important for professionals to take stock and consider how to make journalism distinctive and trustworthy in the global media environment. An MA Journalism such as this, with its mix of theory and practice, can provide a breathing space, a time for reflection and a recharging of batteries.
Mike Jempson
Director, The MediaWise Trust
The MA Journalism programme enables students to pursue the academic study of news and journalism and acquire advanced reporting/writing skills. It examines the forms, practices, institutions and audiences of newspaper, radio, television and online news reporting in relation to broader social issues (both in the UK and internationally).
Students conduct academic research and, acquire practical reporting skills and in the process gain advanced analytic and communication skills related to a range of careers in factual media, communications and cultural industries, and research.
Former students have taken up PhD research in journalism studies or pursued careers in the communications and cultural industries.
The programme has strong links with the MediaWise Trust and other media organisations based in Britain and abroad, including South East Asia.
The MA Journalism will be of particular interest to:
- Students wanting to explore journalism as an area of academic enquiry and acquire a range of communication skills;
- International students and journalists wanting to gain further insight into British as well as global journalistic forms and practices;
- Mid-career journalists and related media practitioners hoping to gain a broader understanding of the context within which their professional practice is situated, and to develop new skills. This may be for professional reasons and/or a desire for personal self-reflection.
Content
Term 1: Journalism and Democracy, International Journalism, Ethics and News Practice.
Term 2: Research Methods and two modules from: Investigative Reporting, Online Journalism and Work Experience.
Term 3: Journalism Dissertation.
The modules (briefly outlined below) are taken across three semesters (full time) or six semesters (part time).
Journalism and Democracy
The module begins by foregrounding a series of questions concerning the nature of democratic society and the role of news media within it. Special attention is given to the rise of 'objective' reporting methods vis-a-vis a democratic 'public sphere'. Of particular interest are the ways in which certain conventionalised forms, practices and devices of news were consolidated in institutional terms.
International Journalism
This module aims to introduce the student to a range of current debates about news and journalism around the world. Topics include, for example, the roles and functions of journalists in different countries, especially in times of conflict and war; debates about the flow of news and information in relation to media imperialism; global trends of convergence in news institutions and audiences; the influence of the 24-hour news channels on global civil society; and journalism's constructions of local, regional and national identities and diasporas.
Ethics and News Practice
The need for ethically-informed journalism has never been more important than now. Journalism ethics, or the presence and absence of ethics in news discourse, is an area that plays an influential role in democracy. This module blends theories of journalism ethics with journalism practice and provides students with opportunities to develop analytical and news writing skills (mainly print-based). Students will examine ethical theories and media regulatory systems and apply their understanding to contemporary texts.
Research Methods
The module is organised to provide students with a grounding in the key research issues at the heart of news and journalism studies. It offers an evaluative basis for an examination of several case studies to equip students with the means to assess the relative advantages and limitations of different research strategies and methodological frameworks.
Investigative Reporting
The module provides the opportunity to develop advanced reporting and writing skills. Investigative reporting is a distinct genre of journalism that has played a key part in reinforcing the role of journalism in democracy. Students will learn and critique past cases of investigative reporting as well as develop their own skills to produce an extended, illustrated portfolio of investigative journalism (print-based) using relevant software.
Online Journalism
This module provides students with an introduction to the study of journalism - its forms, practices, institutions and audiences - in various online or web-based environments. Themes covered include: the dynamics of the digital newsroom; the online reporting of September 11 and the war in Iraq; the rise of 'blogs' and other forms of 'personal' or 'grassroots' journalism online. The module also offers hands-on experience in online journalism to develop journalistic skills.
Work Experience
Students choosing this option will spend a period of time working in a news media organisation. Student activity will include generating the necessary documents to apply for work placements, undertaking allocated work, maintaining a reflective diary and the submission of a report on the project. Students will identify the links between the experience of work and the theories and debates which underpin the field of journalism.
Journalism Dissertation
This module provides an opportunity to conduct in-depth theory-based research or undertake practice-led research on a topic of the student's choice. There will be a series of research seminars, which will provide a structured forum for the discussion of research projects and strategies. In addition, students will be allocated a supervisor who will oversee the dissertation process from the point of proposal, through the initial research activity, to the submission of draft chapters.
Recent dissertation titles include:
- BBC China: A study of the BBC's 'China Week' selection;
- Unwilling embed: an analysis of news values in Where is Raed;
- Agenda-setting role of the media in Ghana;
- Nationalism in The Sun's reporting of Euro 2008:establishing 'us' when we failed to qualify.
Teaching and learning
Teaching is through lectures, seminars and workshops. Assessment methods include essays, student presentations, small-scale research projects, and types of journalistic writing. The dissertation is based on individual research under the guidance of a supervisor.
Assessment
Assessment is module-based and varies according to the particular concerns and learning objectives in each of the modules. Forms of assessment include essays, student presentations, small-scale research projects and when chosen by the student, types of journalistic writing.
The dissertation is based on individual research and is usually presented in written form (15,000 words). An MA with distinction shall be awarded to students of exceptional merit.
Extra information
The MA Journalism team:
The programme is taught by academics with expertise in the theory and practice of journalism. Key members of the team include:
Mike Jempson
Janet Jones
Dr Rakesh Kaushal
Dr Lee Salter
Dr Thomas Ruggiero
Dr Prasun Sonwalkar
Industry links
This programme has strong links with the MediaWise Trust, and other organisations based in Britain and abroad, including South Asia.
MediaWise
Based on our St Matthias campus, The MediaWise Trust is an independent charity with an international reputation for its work on journalism ethics. It assists members of the public with complaints about media malpractice; conducts research into media law, policy and practice; offers media training; and contributes to public debate about the role and impact of the mass media. MediaWise specialisms include coverage of children, health, minorities, and suicide. Student placements are a possibility. www.mediawise.org.uk
Exiled Journalists Network
An independent body set up to provide support to journalists from all over the world who seek refuge in the UK after persecution for fulfilling their professional duties. The EJN shares offices with MediaWise in the Canon Kitson Building, St Matthias Campus. www.exiledjournalists.net
For further information contact: journalism@uwe.ac.uk
How to apply
There is no official closing date and applications are accepted throughout the year. Apply for this course online.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have an honours degree or equivalent, or relevant professional experience.
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