This course tracks the history of media and news production, enabling a wider understanding of contemporary multi-dimensional news platforms by examining the theories that feature within journalistic practice and scholarship today. As a useful foundation ahead of any specialism within media analysis, it is an essential examination of the scholars, practitioners, institutions, corporations and topics that have shaped the modern landscape of journalism, news-production and their examination. This is driven by real world examples and scholarly research to excite, interest and entertain.

• Demonstrate understanding of how media has evolved in the UK across numerous platforms.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the key themes within news selection and presentation.
• Demonstrate understanding of the practices, trends and key actors within news reporting.
• Demonstrate understanding the scholarly examination of news and its production.
• Demonstrate the ability to fashion independent research into a well-presented and academically-sound argument.

This course consists of 9 sessions which will focus on clearly-defined topics and themes each week. Each unit comprises of a 2-hour face-to-face session which will include lectures, class discussions and debates, and exercises to help the development of academic and analytical skills. There will be a strong emphasis on examples, case studies and film clips to emphasise and enhance “takeaway” messages. The university’s Virtual learning Environment, Learning Central provides a useful resource for course materials, lecture slides and additional reading.

• The ability to communicate ideas and arguments effectively in written and verbal form.
• The ability to work effectively with others in groups and to learn collaboratively through discussion and interaction.
• The ability to think critically, analyse sources, evaluate arguments and challenge assumptions.
• The ability to formulate and justify arguments and conclusions and present appropriate supporting evidence.
• The ability to locate relevant resources and use them appropriately in academic work.
• The ability to use information technology resources to assist with information retrieval and assignment presentation.
• The ability to independently organise study to enable successful completion of course requirements.

Formative assessment / feedback will occur on a weekly basis through class discussion and group work.

The opportunity for reassessment in this module

Students who fail one or more assessment elements will be given the opportunity to re-submit coursework in response to different titles over the summer once the Our Media, Our World exam board has met in June.

1. Defining news media and why we study it

This session will examine the range of media to be studied, normative theories of journalism, and journalism as a profession.

1. News media History

This session explores how news media – most specifically newspapers and television – has evolved.

1. News media ownership and funding models

This session will consider how funding, ownership and control shape news output.

1. News as a construction

This session will examine a range of theories relating to how information and events are selected to become news.

1. News construction in practice

This session considers operational, institutional and personal practices of news making and the sources contributing to news.

1. Special events and special cases

This session considers regular news beats, what subjects make the news and the some special cases such as elections.

1. And 8. Current trends, future directions

This session considers how news is moving into the future and models of citizen and community journalism.

1. Summary and reflection

This session will summarise and reflect upon the content, themes and acquired skills.

Essential Reading:

Allen, S. 2004. News Culture. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

O. Boyd-Barrett and C Newbold (eds.) 1995. Approaches to Media: A Reader. London: New York: Arnold.

Franklin, B. et al. 2005. Key concepts in journalism studies. London: Sage.

J. Downing, A. Mohammadi and A. Sreberny-Mohammadi. 1995. Questioning the Media – A Critical Introduction. London: Sage.

Kovach, B. and Rosentiel, T. 2001. The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect. New York: Three Rivers Press.

Williams, K. 1998.Get me a murder a day! : The history of mass communication in Britain. London: New York: Arnold.

Recommended Reading:

Allan, S (Ed) (2012) The Routledge companion to News and Journalism. Revised edition. London: Routledge 

Boczkowski, P. J. (2010) News at Work: Imitation in an age of information abundance. Chicago: Chicago Press

Conboy M, (2005) Tabloid Britain: Constructing a community through language. London: Routledge

Conboy M, (2007) The Language of the News. London: Routledge

Curran J. and Seaton. J. (1991) Power Without Responsibility. 4th edition. London: Routledge.

Cushion, S (2011) Television Journalism. London: Sage

Davies, N (2008) Flat Earth News. London: Chatto and Windus

Fenton, N. (ed.) (2010) New Media, Old News: Journalism and Democracy in the Digital Age. London: Sage

Fleming C et al, (2007) An Introduction to Journalism. London: Sage

Franklin, B. and Carlson, M. (2011) Journalists, Sources and Credibility; New Perspectives, New York and London Routledge

Greenslade R, (2003,) Press Gang: How Newspapers Make Profits from Propaganda, Macmillan

Hargreaves, I. (2005) Journalism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Hartley, J. (2002) Communication, cultural and media studies: the key concepts. London: Routledge.

McQuail. D. (1998) Mass Communication Theory. 3rd edition. London: Sage.

Peters, C and Broersma, M. (2012) Rethinking Journalism. London: Routledge

Ryfe, D.M. (2012) Can Journalism Survive? An inside look at American Newsrooms. Cambridge: Polity

Schudson, M. (2011) Sociology of News. W.W. Norton, New York

Strinati. D. (1995) An introduction to theories of popular culture. London: Routledge.

Tumber, H (ed) (1999) News: A Reader. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Watson, T. and Hickman, M. (2012) Dial M for Murdoch: News Corporations and the Corruption of Britain. London: Allen Lane