Core modules
ISSUES IN JOURNALISM: FREEDOM, HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
This provides a critical examination of the social, political and economic pressures on media institutions across the world, and their consequences for journalists. You will also examine the provisions designed to safeguard media freedom and the security and integrity of journalists.
PRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISM
This module aims to give you a critical understanding of the concepts and techniques of contemporary journalism, including news values, story research, news-writing and reporting techniques. You will also gain a grounding in new media skills.
BROADCAST STRAND
Broadcast News and Current Affairs (Radio and TV)
This aims to give you a grounding in the skills and techniques of daily live radio and television news and current affairs.
Documentary Skills (Radio and TV)
This develops your skills further, allowing you to develop advanced production and reporting techniques, enabling you to carry out longer form pieces of broadcast journalism.
ONLINE STRAND
Broadcast News (Audio and Video for the Web)
By giving you a grounding in the skills and techniques of radio and television news and current affairs, this module aims to equip you with the skills needed to contribute to a multi-media website.
Online Journalism
This provides in-depth instruction in multimedia website design and content and advanced understanding of online journalism skills. It aims to achieve in small group projects a publishable, topical news website.
Web Production for Westminster News Online(www.wnol.info)
Together with students from the MA in Print and Online Journalism you will be developing the best online techniques to run a live, multimedia news website.
PRINT STRAND
Magazine Production
During this module you will develop advanced skills in the content and design/ layout of magazines in order to originate, write, design and produce a magazine as a group project.
Newspaper Journalism
You will be introduced to the theory and practice of writing news and features for multiple platforms including newspapers, magazines and online, as well as learning design, editing and production for the print medium.project.
Option modules
Choose two from:
FINAL PROJECT
These are in-depth practical projects, which involve researching, compiling and presenting your own TV or radio documentary, website or print journalism collection, together with a critical analysis. You will work individually, under a limited amount of supervision, and demonstrate the skills and techniques, gained during the course.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA BUSINESS
You will explore the main debates within the field of media management in the UK and US. The module will also draw comparisons with structure, strategy, management and operation of the media in other parts of the world.
INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM
You will gain a critical understanding of the history, theory and practice of investigative journalism across both print and broadcast media and an introduction to the techniques used by investigative journalists. The module is taught by Sony Award winning journalist, BBC Radio’s John Waite. You will carry out research for an investigation of their own and show how such an investigation would be treated by the print or broadcast media.
ONLINE JOURNALISM
This provides in-depth instruction in multimedia website design and content and advanced understanding of online journalism skills. It aims to achieve in small group projects a publishable, topical news website.
SOCIOLOGY OF NEWS
A critical study of the news media in the context of current society; it examines different aspects of how news is created, disseminated and consumed.
Specialist Journalism
You can choose options in practical journalism giving you an introduction to the skills, techniques, and role of the specialist correspondent. This module examines in depth the role of the specialist, it provides a critical understanding of the importance of sources, contacts and consideration of ethical issues and current debate in your chosen field. You will also develop specialist reporting techniques to provide a number of ‘multi-platform’ pieces of journalism
Currently we offer arts and entertainment; business and financial; environmental health and medical journalism; and sports. You may also choose one module from our theory-based MA courses. This is recommended for those who choose to undertake a dissertation.
TRAVEL JOURNALISM
This involves a critical exploration of travel journalism, the market for travel features, and you will learn how to write evocatively about your experiences in order to inspire, inform and entertain your readers.