Programme Specification
A statement of the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin a
taught programme of study leading to an award from
The University of Sheffield
This programme specification covers the subject curriculum in Journalism for the following dual honours
degree programme(s) and should be read in conjunction with the relevant specification for the second subject:
1. Programme Title(s)
2. Programme Code(s)
3. JACS Code(s)
Journalism and French
JNLU02
P500
Journalism and Germanic Studies
JNLU03
P500
Journalism and Hispanic Studies
JNLU04
P500
Journalism and Russian
JNLU05
P500
4.
Level of Study
Undergraduate
5a
Final Qualification
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons)
5b
QAA FHEQ Level
Honours
6.
Intermediate Qualification(s)
Not applicable
7.
Teaching Institution (if not Sheffield)
Not applicable
8.
Faculty
Social Sciences
9.
Co-ordinating Department
Journalism Studies
10.
Other Department(s) involved in
teaching in the subject
French (JNLU0A), Germanic Studies (JNLU0B), Hispanic
Studies (JNLU0C), Russian and Slavonic Studies (JNLU0D)
11.
Mode(s) of Attendance
Full-time
12.
Duration of the Programme(s)
Four years, including two semesters spent abroad between
Levels 2 and 3 of the programme
13.
Accrediting Professional or Statutory
Body
Accreditation will be sought from the National Council for the
Training of Journalists, which already accredits BA Journalism
Studies
14.
Date of production/revision
11 May 2004
Dual Degrees
The University of Sheffield defines a dual degree as the independent study of two parallel subjects. Dual
degrees offer students the flexibility to choose a programme of study that reflects their interests and gives the
opportunity to develop detailed knowledge and key skills in two major subjects. Whilst the two subjects may be
taught independently, they will complement, inform and illuminate one another. Where there are two programme
specifications for dual degrees, one for each half of the programme, and students should refer to both
documents for a full description of the whole programme. Where there are clear links between the two subjects,
details will be included in Sections 15 and 20 of the programme specifications. However, there are some single
programme specifications for dual degree combinations where there is a substantial degree of integration
between the two subjects.
15. Background to the programme and subject area
The expansion, in quantity and influence, of all media forms over the past decade, and the huge change in
employment patterns that have made media careers overwhelmingly graduate careers, have led to
undergraduate journalism programmes becoming very popular. There is a difference between media studies
programmes, which study the products and effects of the media, and the journalism programmes that study
'doing' ’journalism. The University of Sheffield’s Journalism Studies BA has established itself over the past
decade as a leading applied journalism programme, developing reflective practitioners who are working all over
the media and related industries. It is distinctive in the quality of its students, its location in a research-active
department where research contributes significantly to teaching, where the staff represent an integrated mix of
those with an academic and those with a professional background. It is the only such programme provided by a
1
98947619 – ver12-13
leading traditional university, and is accredited by the major professional bodies. The department has strong
industry links, and puts great emphasis on the employability of its graduates.
Journalism Studies has recently broadened its portfolio to offer a suite of undergraduate programmes combining
the study of journalism and its practice with knowledge of a modern language, with the culture, history and
institutions of the country speaking that language. The new four year programmes will offer the opportunity to
study journalism with French, Spanish, German or Russian, and to spend a year abroad developing linguistic
skills and knowledge of the country. The programmes have been developed with the University of Sheffield’s
School of Modern Languages and Linguistics, which has long experience of delivering such ‘dual’ programmes
and has a high reputation for its teaching and research.
Journalists in the UK share the national malaise of usually being unable to speak a foreign language, yet there
are areas of journalism where such linguistic skill is essential for the effective practice of journalism: working as
a journalist overseas, working for an international news agency such as Reuters, working not only as a foreign
correspondent but as a home-based reporter who can be sent overseas for specific stories, all require fluency in
a foreign language. These programmes will also equip students for careers in international organisations,
NGOs, charities and other occupations where the journalism skills of research, writing, organising and
presenting information are essential. Discussions with employers have underlined the demand for graduates
equipped with such knowledge and skills.
The dual programmes combine journalism and the language in roughly equal proportions. The generic, core
journalism skills and knowledge are taught and practised on the ground. The media law, ethics, government and
shorthand, demanded by most media employers, are included, together with the contextual knowledge of media
history and organisation and the vital journalism issues that lead to so much contemporary debate.
The year abroad is organised by the language department, but it is intended to develop a journalistic component
to the year, probably in the form of overseas work experience. Work experience in the UK is also encouraged
and the department is able to exploit its wide range of contacts to facilitate this.
The ‘dual’ programmes, for which accreditation from the National Council for the Training of Journalists is being
sought, will concentrate on the core journalism skills and knowledge and apply them to print journalism. They
are equally applicable to other media forms, such as broadcast, although there is not room in an intensive
language and journalism programme for the teaching of specific broadcast skills.
16. Programme aims
The programmes have been developed to offer a comprehensive education and training in journalism and a
modern language, in the case of journalism inculcating professional skills and knowledge alongside scholarly
appraisal of the field of journalism studies, the analysis of the products of journalism. Professional skills provide
a key thread of the programmes, comprising incremental teaching of journalistic knowledge and skills. Beginning
with simple story-telling techniques, students acquire the cognitive discipline, writing fluency and production
expertise to produce compelling, polished narratives. Simultaneously students consider contemporary issues
affecting and informing journalism. The aim is to give students the ability to interpret as well as report, to project
as well as reflect ideas.
The programmes will:
1. provide students with a broad understanding of journalism studies as a field of academic inquiry and an
arena of professional practice
2. provide research based teaching in journalism which reflects and critiques current scholarly work in the field
3. provide students with opportunities to develop specialist knowledge of journalism studies and the media
context within which journalism operates
4. develop students’ critical knowledge and consideration of theoretical and conceptual issues central to
journalism studies
5. develop in students a range of specific and generic skills relevant and appropriate to a journalist
6. foster high ethical and professional standards
2
98947619 – ver12-13
17. Programme learning outcomes
On completion of the Journalism component of the dual degree students will be able to demonstrate the
following
Knowledge and understanding:
K1
Of the historical and political context of journalism
K2
Of ethics, codes of practice and regulation
K3
Of contemporary media issues
K4
Of the role of the journalist in society
K5
Of the structure of the media
K6
Of professional practices in journalism
K7
Of the role of technology and changes over time
K8
Of media law and the criminal, civil and coroners’ courts
K9
Of national and local government
Skills and other attributes:
S1
Core journalism skills including researching, reporting, interviewing, organising, evaluating and structuring
information
S2
Writing for journalism
S3
The ability to work independently and as a member of a team
S4
The ability to communicate effectively in print
S5
Shorthand writing
S6
Print production skills
S7
Organising and planning including time management
S8
The ability to analyse and evaluate academic research and relate it to the practice of journalism
18. Teaching, learning and assessment
Development of the learning outcomes is promoted through the following teaching and learning
methods:
A programme of lectures and workshops introduces students to basic journalistic skills and concepts. (K6,7 and
S1-4, S6, S7). Workshops are structured to represent newsroom activity, and the department’s dedicated
newsroom facilities are designed to provide that professional environment. The newsroom environment provides
workplace simulation and regular formative feedback from peers and lecturers. Lectures and continuous
practice develop the note-taking skill of shorthand (S5), and students use it to report stories from courts, council
and assigned districts of the city (K8,9 and S1-4). Self directed learning is encouraged through students going
out of the newsroom into the city, with support and guidance provided through lecturers in the newsroom (S3,
7). Law (K8), ethics (K2), local and national government (K9) are taught through lectures and seminars, and
applied in reporting as stated above. Lecture/seminar delivery is used for the contextual modules and
independent research through texts and journalistic products is required (K1, 3, 4, 5, 10, S8).
Throughout the programme senior industry figures give lectures or workshops and teach students about
different aspects of journalism.
19. Reference points
The learning outcomes have been developed to reflect the following points of reference:
Subject Benchmark Statements
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/subject-guidance/Pages/Subject-benchmarkstatements.aspx
3
98947619 – ver12-13
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/The-framework-for-higher-educationqualifications-in-England-Wales-and-Northern-Ireland.aspx
University Strategic Plan
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/strategicplan
Learning and Teaching Strategy (2011-16)
http://www.shef.ac.uk/lets/staff/lts
Department of Journalism Studies Aims and Objectives
Department of Journalism Studies Learning and Teaching Strategy
National Council for the Training of Journalists accreditation criteria
20. Programme structure and regulations
The programme content for the journalism part of the dual degree is the same for each of the four programmes.
Each programme has the following division between journalism and the modern language: Level 1: journalism
modules to the value of 80 credits – language modules to the value of 40 credits; Level 2: journalism modules to
the value of 60 credits – language modules to the value of 60 credits; Level 3: journalism modules to the value
of 60 credits – language modules to the value of 60 credits. Approved options are available within both
journalism and language components at levels two and three. In a densely packed dual programme there is not
room for unrestricted modules.
Detailed information about the structure of programmes, regulations concerning assessment and progression
and descriptions of individual modules are published in the University Calendar available on-line at
http://www.shef.ac.uk/govern/calendar/regs.html.
21. Student development over the course of study
At Level 1 students are introduced to basic journalistic principles and practice. The emphasis is on the generic
journalism knowledge and skills, relevant to all media forms, news values and news sense, how to research,
gather, organise and structure information and then how to present it in an accessible way. Students are
introduced to the structure, organisation, economics and history of the media, as well as theoretical approaches
to the media. They learn about the organisation and structure of local and national government and are taught
the skill of accurate note-taking in shorthand classes. Workshops are structured to represent newsroom activity.
At Level 2 generic skills are developed and are applied more specifically. Media law and ethics are taught, and
knowledge of the law is applied through court reporting. Students develop contacts and sources in the city and
go out to gather stories. A range of optional modules (also available in the final year) is offered to allow students
to engage in particular interests, such as race and representation, Europe and the media, language and
journalism.
The third year will be spent abroad in the country of the language being studied as part of their degree. Students
will be encouraged to maintain journalistic study through the media in the country visited, and it is intended to
develop links with media organisations in these countries to that end.
In the final year at Level 3 students continue to develop a full range of journalism knowledge and skills. They
develop different writing skills and undertake feature-writing. The further broaden their journalistic knowledge by
choosing from a list of optional modules.
22. Criteria for admission to the programme
Detailed information regarding admission to the programme is available at http://www.shef.ac.uk/prospective/
23. Additional information
Additional information about the programmes and the department is available through the University’s online
prospectus at http://www.shef.ac.uk and the department website at http://www.shef.ac.uk/journalism
This specification represents a concise statement about the main features of the programme and should be
considered alongside other sources of information provided by the teaching department(s) and the University. In
addition to programme specific information, further information about studying at The University of Sheffield can
be accessed via our Student Services web site at http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid.
4
98947619 – ver12-13
5
98947619 – ver12-13