Module: JPU5101-20 International Journalism

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor:  Irving Huerta

Module Tutor Contact Details: r.huertazapien@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module encourages you to think about journalism in a global context and consider the cultural, political and economic aspects of international journalistic practice.

You will learn to be resourceful in gathering a wide range of local, national and international sources and original material to identify new angles on a story / subject. You will be encouraged to examine ways to utilise sources from those experiencing events on the ground, e.g. through live social media sources from different countries, and to supplement this with expert analysis to offer a rigorous approach to your story.

The challenges of working with non-native English sources and materials in translation will be explored in relation to assessing different sources for factual accuracy and potential bias. The legal and ethical aspects of international journalistic practice will be explored in relation to varying legal jurisdictions, cultural considerations and journalistic integrity.

2. Outline syllabus: 

• The international context of journalism

• Using local, national and international sources

• Social media as a source

• Ethical, legal, cultural, political and economic considerations

• Trend analysis and data gathering

• Sourcing and authenticating international quotes

3. Teaching and learning activities: 

Learning will be through workshops, technical demos, progress reviews and feedback.

Teaching and Learning resources include technical demonstrators; technical facilities including specialist publishing software, iPads, iPhones, cameras, and Kindles; online library resources/ access to international journals and reference works; and websites.

Thomson Reuters Business Lab.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Article (600 words + image), bibliography (equivalent to 1,000 words)

• % Weighting: 20%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Portfolio (equivalent to 4,000 words)

• % Weighting: 80%