Syllabus for Journalism

Learning outcomes

The course gives general journalistic skills where the assignment and role of the reporter are particularly emphasised. The student develops the ability to process their own field of knowledge in different journalistic forms. Independent and critical analysis of journalistic texts, journalistic work and the media are essential features of the education. The course intends to educate students who can work with qualified journalistic assignments in an indepth and creative way. On completion of the course, students should be able to

Knowledge and understanding

1. Account for the fundamental features of the emergence of journalism research and its disciplinary connection.

2. Account for and analyse changes in the production processes of journalism, presentation forms and patterns of use in relation to digitisation, globalisation and commercialisation.

3. Describe and analyse the relation of journalism to the society during different epochs and in different social system as well as relate it to how diffusion of information and formation of public opinion take place.

4. Account for central judicial and ethical rules that apply to journalistic activities in Sweden as well as be oriented in current research about media law and media ethics.

5. Show familiarity with relevant methods in the journalistic profession (observation, interview, survey, social media, source assessment and criticism) and the scientific analysis of journalistic work (news evaluation, agenda setting, framing), organisation (economic, political and cultural), contents (semiotics, rhetoric, narrative analysis and discourse theory) and audience.

6. Search and make use of current research and development work about journalism.

7.In an indepth way present and use knowledge about the journalistic reportage, its history, form and current conditions.

Skills and competences

8. Search, collect and evaluate relevant information to plan and carry out journalistic and scientific tasks.

9. Independently and critically be able to identify, formulate, discuss and solve journalistic and scientific tasks.

10. Use different kinds of information and integrate this information to new knowledge in one's own work.

11. Plan and carry out journalistic works or projects in collaboration with others.

12. Work against clear deadlines and handle time pressure in journalistic and scientific work.

13. Show a well developed ability to communicate independently though several forms of expression (print, web, radio and image) and in different journalistic genres (news, chronicle and reportage) to different target groups.

14. Independently present orally and critically discuss journalistic and scientific assignments in dialogue with different groups.

15. Show a well developed ability to carry out journalistic activities.

16. Analyse and choose appropriate theories and methods in the scientific analysis of the conditions of journalism, its processes and results.

17. Analyse journalistic and scientific works from a societal perspective with special regards to questions about democracy, gender and intersectionality.

18. Reflect on and handle ethical problems in journalistic and scientific work as well as to find solutions to these problems.

19. Reflect on the social roles of the media, journalism and the journalism research as well as one's own responsibility in the use of these roles and power aspects that can be connected to them.

20. Discuss and criticise one's own performance and assignments constructively, and find paths for development through such self-reflexion.

These intended learning outcomes of the course are covered in the six modules in the following way:

Module 1: The Foundations of Journalism, 15 credits

The module gives basic knowledge of the journalist's work and forms of expression, where news, reportage and chronicle are particularly emphasised. During the module, aims 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 are handled and assessed.

Module 2: Journalism and society, 7.5 credits

The module gives knowledge and tools to analyse contemporary structure and relations in the Swedish media society as well as tools to independently, critically and scientifically analyse journalism, its role in society and its forms of expression. The module also introduces visual and image analysis. During the module, aims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13.14, 16, 17 are handled and assessed.

Module 3: Journalist in the Field and on the Web, 7.5 credits

The module develops skills in journalistic work in the form of a narration or science-oriented journalism. The module deepens the knowledge in journalistic work as well as broadens the journalistic forms of expression with web and social media. During the module, aims 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 are handled and assessed.

Module 4: Law and Ethics for Journalists, 5 credits

The module makes the students acquainted with the legislation in the media sector, research about media law and media ethics as well as develops their ability to independently discuss and assess professional ethical questions. During the module, aims 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 are handled and assessed.

Module 5: Labour market and internship, 10 credits

The module communicates practical experiences about working forms and working methods in journalism as well as provide an opportunity to reflection over profession, professional role and labour market. During the module, aims 2, 11, 12, 14, 15, 19, 20 are handled and assessed.

Module 6: Reportage Project, 15 credits

The module further deepens the knowledge in journalistic and scientific work. It takes place partly through a qualified investigative journalism project and partly through a scientific analysis of one's own methods, the process and the results of the project that is presented as a reportage. During the module, aims 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 are handled and assessed.

Content

Module 1: The Foundations of Journalism, 15 credits

The course gives an introduction to journalism, its tools and methods. General journalistic skills in generating ideas, in searching and using information as well as to process it for appropriate form of publication is studied and practiced. The language of journalism is treated. Journalistic genres such as news, chronicle and reportages are practiced. If resources allow, basic knowledge in radio journalism is part of the module.

Module 2: Journalism and Society, 7.5 credits

The relationship of media and journalism to other institutions in society is studied. Theories about the relation between society and media/journalism are introduced. Current debate and criticism of media and journalism are discussed and analysed. The module further covers basic questions about gender, intersectionality and journalism.

Module 3: Journalist in the Field and on the Web, 7.5 credits

During the module, different ways to organise journalistic production are presented and discussed. Web and social media as tools for and elements in journalistic work are studied. In the module the students participate in an editorial project work in collaboration with local/regional media.

Module 4: Law and Ethics for Journalists, 5 credits

The course gives an overview of laws and ethical rules for the mass media in Sweden. The judicial fields that are treated are fundamental free and rights, freedom of the press, freedom of speech and public attendance and confidentiality, company secrets as well as copyright. Research around ethics and law for media and journalism are studied.

Module 5: Labour market and internship, 10 credits

The internship period covers six weeks, and consists of supervised professional training in a media organisation. In connection with the internship, conditions and processes of change on the labour market of journalism are studied.

Module 6: Reportage Project, 15 credits

The project work is carried out individually and should display a qualified journalistic reportage production- through collection, processing and presentation of material. Through taking on current topics with rigorous journalistic methods, the project work should present a clear contribution to journalism in the particular field that is treated. The work is presented in journalistic forms appropriate for the assignment. The work process and the results are analysed in a project reflection where the methods of process and results are analysed with scientific tools.

Instruction

Module 1: The Foundations of Journalism, 15 credits

The teaching is taken place in the form of lectures, seminars and exercises. Participation in seminars and exercises is compulsory. Occasional lectures may be compulsory.

Module 2: Journalism and Society, 7.5 credits

Instruction through lectures and seminars.

Module 3: Journalist in the Field and on the Web, 7.5 credits

The teaching takes place as lectures, seminars and exercises.

Module 4: Law and Ethics for Journalists, 5 credits

Instruction consists of lectures and seminars.

Module 5: Labour market and internship, 10 credits

Lectures, workplace training and seminars. The professional training is prepared and is followed up by seminars that intend to prepare for, as well as to conclude and deepen the experiences from the internship period.

Module 6: Reportage Project, 15 credits

The teaching is given in the form of lectures, supervision and seminars.

Assessment

Module 1: The Foundations of Journalism, 15 credits

The course is examined through participation in compulsory lectures, active participation in seminars, submission of practical assignments as well as oral presentation and discussion of practical assignments. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

Module 2: Journalism and Society, 7.5 credits

The course is examined through active participation in seminars, participating at compulsory lectures as well as approved implementation of written examination assignment. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

Module 3: Journalist in the Field and on the Web, 7.5 credits

The course is examined through active participation in seminars, participating at compulsory lectures as well as approved implementation of joint exercises. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

Module 4: Law and Ethics for Journalists, 5 credits

The course is examined through active participation in compulsory seminars and written examination assignment. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

Module 5: Labour market and internship, 10 credits

The course is examined through completed professional training, written assignments as well as active participation in seminars. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G).

Module 6: Reportage Project, 15 credits

The course is examined through presentation (oral and with presentation aid) of individual project assignment, oral critical review on another student's project assignment, active participation in seminar discussions, continuous production of log book, completed peer review/assessment, submission of reportage assignment as well as submission of academic projekt reflection. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator or a decision by the department's working group for study matters.