Multimedia Journalism

This module addresses the challenges facing journalists operating in today’s fast-changing media environment. As well as a broad understanding of the way journalistic identity and professional standards develop, you will also explore the commercial, technological and social factors that shape the industry in general, and in your chosen specialism in particular.

Introduces journalistic principles and practice for producing contemporary, multiplatform journalism. This includes the finding, developing and reporting of stories; the application of digital technology in the reporting process; the practice of writing and presentation; and interview skills.

This module introduces you to the essentials of law and legal processes for reporters. This includes relevant law such as contempt and reporting restrictions, the role of regulatory bodies, and the operation of the legal system. 

This module introduces you to the principles and practice of creating editorial content with, and for, mobile and digital platforms. It looks at contemporary practice and also explores the critical and industrial context of the impact of digital technology on the journalism industry. 

For this module, you’ll join the production team for the department’s staff and student-led news website, The Northern Quota. As part of the production team, you’ll learn how to work in an editorial team, produce content to a brief and a deadline, develop your understanding of audiences, and apply your developing journalistic and production skills. 

This module is designed to support you in the development and creation of a substantial piece of research and in the production of professional standard content, based on your selected specialist area. It’s designed to allow you to critically develop your knowledge on a chosen topic, develop your skills in evaluation and in the use of research methods and apply a critical awareness of current issues in your chosen field and the broader journalism sector. As part of this module, you will also be required to reflect on a period of work placement related to your specialism.

This module allows students to focus and develop their core journalism skills by exploring the practice of developing feature and longform content. As well as looking at the process of identifying, developing and pitching ideas for feature and longform content, students will practically explore creating content across multiple platforms that is effectively targeted at the diverse audiences for magazine and longform content. Students will also explore the underlying business models and critical perspectives that drive industry demand.

This module will prepare you to work as a multi-skilled researcher, reporter and producer in broadcast journalism, with particular reference to radio and television. You will gain skills in the use of digital studio equipment for recording and editing, newsroom operation, studio roles and responsibilities, news styles and formats, accuracy and balance in reporting, and presentation skills.

This module is an examination of the key debates and problems in today’s global politics, allowing you to debate and tackle these dilemmas. Focussed on current geo-politics, topics may include: humanitarian intervention; humanitarian law and the ICC; poverty, development and international economics; the politics of climate change; global institutional governance; the politics of migration; the rise of nationalist protest; and the failures of US foreign policy.

This module gives you the opportunity to gain a critical understanding of how government and public sector institutions work at a national, regional and local level. This understanding provides the critical and practical underpinning for journalists to enact their part in the democratic process, holding power to account. You will learn how to source and report on stories concerning government and public institutions, as well as reflect on why and how this contributes to the public's understanding and engagement with public institutions.

The module examines both internal and external contexts of European Integration. It aims to answer the following questions: What is the EU? How are decisions made? What are the consequences of these decisions for the future development of European integration? And what are the main internal and external policies of the EU? Among other things, the module examines the EU's response to such issues as global terrorism, climate change, financial crisis and immigration.