Journalism with Foundation Year - BA (Hons)

Teesside University

You examine the way news media operates on a global scale. You explore the structures and characteristics of how journalism is defined and practiced around the world. You discuss global perspectives on key topics and issues relating to news media organisations, globalisation and news flows. You examine key theoretical issues relating to the notion of ?global journalism? as a news style located within global communications infrastructure, and take a comparative look at journalism in different parts of the world. You focus on different types of representations of reality people get from media. Your assessment is 100% ICA: essay.

You experience a simulated live news environment to gain discipline and working practices associated with the industry. A key focus is on working to tight deadlines, using a model of repetition and reflection. Newsroom sessions are student led and you can develop independent learning and leadership skills. Reflection is used in debrief sessions so you can analyse and assess your own performance and professional practice. You build on skills and knowledge from your degree and produce a range of multimedia content for a specific audience.

You work on industry-based projects that form part of your developing professional portfolio of work. You respond to time-based and/or live briefs in your allocated role within a professional network or team. You experience working within a professional network, reflecting your specialist area of media industry practice. For assessment, you submit a final product and a supporting research portfolio.

Preparation for your future career begins in your first year at Teesside. You learn how to market yourself to media employers whilst participating in live newsdays alongside second and third-year students.

You research, pitch, write and produce reports for broadcast radio and a podcast using the TUXtra media platform. You learn more advanced presentation skills and receive practical development work to attune your voice so its suitable for radio and podcasting. You learn how to operate radio equipment and familiarise yourself with industry standard technology such as web newsroom software and digital online production delivery techniques. The stories you investigate involves analysing news and current affairs programmes, making editorial decisions and the practical, ethical and legal implications of broadcasting with regards to privacy, consent and copyright law.

You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking. You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.

Teesside University takes employability seriously and this module enables you to broach the gap between university and the workplace by preparing you for interview and job selection processes. As a third-year student you take on the role of editor for the print publication, TV news programme, and Tside radio show.

You explore the workings of a modern democracy, particularly how the structures and systems of local and central government and other public institutions impact on the practice of professional journalists. You develop your knowledge of council agendas, government sources and data and take part in a visit to a local council meeting. Your assessment is 100% ICA: 50% journalism artefact and 50% exam.

You consider, engage and analyse a range of key issues around enterprise and innovation when developing a professional digital publishing plan and pitch. You research audiences, investigate and explore existing and emerging technologies and platforms, marketplaces, human factors, digital conventions and aesthetics. You develop your commercial awareness and business acumen; understanding existing and new digital business models, its challenges and opportunities. You develop an idea and plan for a new concept or an innovation based on an existing business. You produce a detailed digital business plan, which presents and argues the case from a technical, audience, journalistic, content and commercial perspective.

This project is the self-managed manifestation of all previous professional practice and reflective consideration. You work in small groups to produce a creative response to a negotiated brief. In reflecting the current state of global journalism, the package should include a professional multimedia website managed and maintained for a discerning music and events audience. It should demonstrate the your skills in digesting research and synthesising a clear voice through demonstrated proficiency in journalism (specifically in your pathway choice, for example games, or music and events). It is expected this site or collection of social media platforms will demonstrate skills in audio, video, layout, typography, web design and associated technologies for desktop and mobile platforms. In addition, you produce a critical essay, investigating a key issue in depth, in negotiation and agreement with the tutor.

This module provides tools in your reading of cultural texts. Focusing on computer games, animation and film, you gain an introductory level of understanding in the context of your chosen fields of study. As well as looking at the historical and contextual overview of the history of animation, film and computer games, you also look at how we interpret these types of media historically and materially. You choose a text from within your area of interest and undertake an analytical review in the form of a case study.

You explore the basic technical components of the process of making video or audio-visual materials for outputs such as online publishing, documentary or drama. You are introduced to media languages and how to communicate clearly to target audiences. The module is project based and you carry out writing, composition and editing of your own short video or online publication. You learn basic skills in risk assessment for technical equipment, filming, editing and using online resources. Your assessment is the creation of a video in response to a brief and the submission of a written review.

This module aims to guide you through the production of a small-scale individual project defined in part by you, with guidance from the tutor. The final project aims to develop an individual working approach and good project management. You will develop original ideas and concepts for an appropriate project in your chosen field of study. These may take the form of a short story, artefact, report, campaign, comic, concept art or other appropriate form related to the arts and media industries.

Here, you apply acquired knowledge and skills to a selected project according to an area of your individual interest or specialism. This module provides an overview of professional graphic practice and enables you to reflect on your own learning and personal career aspirations. You review work from modules through your portfolio presentation and set goals for the next stage.

You explore learning skills for undergraduate study at University, providing you with a range of learning material and practical sessions. You develop your professional skills including teamwork, researching a topic, report writing and delivering presentations, as well as time management and learning practice. You learn by a combination of lectures, e-learning material and support. You are introduced to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) at Teesside University, exploring e-learning material and reading lists, and student support and learning resources. Your assessment is a portfolio based on set tasks, including research into set problems.

You explore a range of contemporary media theories and ideas in their broader historical, social, cultural, technological and economic context. You learn how these contexts can help us understand the power and influence of the media and how to begin to read the media through identifying codes and conventions. Your assessment is a short essay that researches one area of media production.