MC1578: Understanding Journalism Studies

School Cardiff School of Journalism, Media & Cult'l Stud
Department Code JOMEC
Module Code MC1578
External Subject Code 100442
Number of Credits 20
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Professor Robert Franklin
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2013/4

Outline Description of Module

This module introduces students to the key traditions and theoretical approaches to the study of journalism, as well as the significant scholarly and professional debates about recent trends in journalism, by posing some of the five questions which typically inform journalists’ inquiries when they are researching and writing news stories: Who? What? Where? When? Why? And occasionally, How? - Although not necessarily in that order. 

Students will consider, analyse and critically assess: public images of journalists and their representation in creative writing and film; the gendered character of journalism and the exclusion of ethnic minorities; the distinctive understandings of journalism offered by the interpretive communities of scholars and journalists; the different approaches of political economy, organisational and cultural theorists to the understanding of journalism; the discussion about what constitutes news and how such assessments are shifting; the debates about the alleged “dumbing down” of the quality press, the impact of political journalism and “spin” on public attitudes to politics, as well as the role of journalists in the reporting/creating the “Fog of War”; the impact of public relations in shaping news agendas and generating ‘Flat Earth News’; the origins of journalism and the emergence of the “news paradigm”; the debate about blogging, citizen journalism and the identity of the journalist; virtual newsrooms and the potential 
of the internet to liberate journalists from their confinement in the newsrooms. Oh Yes, and the vital question about how a viable and democratic journalism might be funded in an age of digital media.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Of the central and significant theoretical approaches to the study of journalism
2. About key debates concerning contemporary developments in journalism
3. About the structures and purposes of journalism and the key activities of 
journalists
4. Of public and professional understandings of journalism and journalists
5. Concerning the impact of the Internet on journalism and newsrooms
Intellectual Skills
1. Be able to analyse the role and position of journalism in contemporary society, 
economy, polity and culture
2. Be able to assess critically competing theoretical approaches to the study of 
journalism
3. Be able to engage in scholarly assessment of concepts central to journalism, 
including objectivity, the fourth estate and the public sphere
Discipline Specific (including practical) skills
1. Analyse texts about journalism and journalism studies
2. Analyse texts about journalism across a range of central themes within the 
discipline

How the module will be delivered

Lectures and seminars.

Skills that will be practised and developed

The ability to: 

1. undertake independent study
2. develop and apply critical thinking to a variety of academic materials
3. précis and make structured notes
4. structure and present an academic argument
5. manage study time effectively

How the module will be assessed

Assessment is by coursework and unseen examination.

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 50 Mid Term Essay N/A
Exam - Autumn Semester 50 Understanding Journalism Studies 2

Syllabus content

This module explores key theoretical approaches to the study of journalism, analyses significant debates about recent trends in journalism and examines some of the central concerns of journalists’ reporting activities.

WHO are the journalists? Image and reality of the profession of journalism.

(1) Journalists at the Movies: Crusaders or Propagandists? - Images of Journalism in Creative Writing and Film

 (2) Journalism and Diversity: A “horribly white” profession

WHAT is Journalism?

Theory and Debates

(3) What is Journalism? Contested Meanings and Interpretive Communities.

 (4) “Lousy Journalism Reflects Lousy Structures?” Political Economy, Organisational and Culturalist approaches to the study of Journalism.

Issues and Debates

(5) Spin and Political Journalism: What is Politics Doing to Our Media?

 (6) Reporting (and creating?) the ‘Fog of War’: Truth, Censorship and Embedded Journalists

(7) Newszak or News? The ‘Dumbing Down’ Debate.

 (8) News in the Round or “Flat Earth News?” Journalism, Sources and Public Relations

WHEN?

(9) The Origins of Journalism: The News Paradigm, News values and News Writing 

Essential Reading and Resource List

Please try to (at least) dip into the following

 
The Leveson Inquiry (2011) http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/ the Report is available at 
http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/about/the-report/
Peters, C and Broersma, M. (2012) Rethinking Journalism London: Routledge
Ryfe, D.M. (2012) Can Journalism Survive? An inside look at American Newsrooms
Cambridge: PolitySiapera, E. and Veglis, A. (2012) The Handbook of Global Online Journalism Oxford 
Wiley-Blackwell
Watson, T. and Hickman, M. (2012) Dial M for Murdoch: News Corporations and the 
Corruption of Britain London: Allen Lane
See also the books listed below which offer provide further high quality and interesting 
introductions to the field of journalism studies.
Allan, S (Ed) (2010) News and Journalism Revised edition London: Routledge
Boczkowski, P. J. (2010) News at Work: Imitation in an age of information abundance
Chicago: Chicago Press
Cole, P. and Harcup, T. (2009) Newspaper Journalism London: Sage
Conboy, M (2012) Journalism Studies; The Basics London: Routledge
Curran, J Fenton, N and Freedman, D (2012) Misunderstanding the Internet London: 
Routledge
Cushion, S (2011) Television Journalism London: Sage
Davies, N (2008) Flat Earth News London: Chatto and Windus
Fenton, N. (2009) New Media, Old News: Journalism and democracy in the digital age
London: Sage
Franklin, B. and Carlson, M. (2011) Journalists, Sources and Credibility; New 
Perspectives, New York and London Routledge
Franklin, B. and Mensing, D. (2011) Journalism Education, Training and Employment
New York and London: Routledge
Franklin, B. (2011) The Future of Journalism London: Routledge
Franklin, B (2008) Pulling Newspapers Apart; Analysing Print Journalism London: 
Routledge
Franklin, B et al (2005) Key Concepts in Journalism Studies London: Sage
Franklin, B (2004) Packaging Politics: Political Communication in Britain’s Media 
Democracy, 2nd Edition London: Hodder, 
Franklin, B (1997) Newszak and News Media London: Arnold
Guthrie, B (2011) Man Bites Murdoch Melbourne: Melbourne University Publishing
Harcup, T. (2007) The Ethical Journalist London: SageHarcup, T. (2009) Journalism: Principles and Practice London: Sage, 2
nd Edition
Hoyer, S. and Pottker, H. (2005) Diffusion of the News Paradigm 1850-2000 Gothenburg: 
Nordicom
Lee-Wright, P. Phillips, A. and Witschge, T. (2011) Changing Journalism London: 
Routledge
Loffelholz, M. and Weaver, D. (2008) Global Journalism Research: Theories, Methods, 
Findings, Oxford: Blackwell.
Marr, A (2004) My Trade: A Short History of British Journalism Basingstoke: Macmillan
Miller, D. and Dinan, W. (2007) A century of Spin: How Public Relations Became the 
Cutting Edge of Corporate Power London: Pluto
Muhlmann, G (2008) A Political History of Journalism Cambridge: Polity Press
Starkey, G and Crisell A. (2008) Radio Journalism London: Sage
Thussu, D (2008) News As Entertainment London: Sage
Zelizer, B (2004) Taking Journalism Seriously: News and the Academy London: Sage
Wahl Jorgensen, K. and Hanitzsch, T. (2008) Handbook of Journalism Studies ICA 
Handbook Series
Weaver, D Beam, RA Brownlee, B. Voakes, P and Wilhoit, CG (2006) The American 
Journalist in the 21st Century Mahwah NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum
Women in Journalism (2012) Report on the prominence of male reporters on the front 
pages of the national press 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/oct/14/sexist-stereotypes-front-pages-newspapers
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