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
1
Programme Title
Global Journalism
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Programme Code
JNLT33
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JACS Code
P500
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Level of Study
Postgraduate
5a
Final Qualification
Master of Arts (MA)
5b
QAA FHEQ Level
Masters
6
Intermediate Qualification(s)
Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip)
Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert)
7
Teaching Institution (if not Sheffield)
Not applicable
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Faculty
Social Sciences
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Department
Journalism Studies
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Other Department(s) involved in
teaching the programme
None
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Mode(s) of Attendance
Full-time
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Duration of the Programme
1 year
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Accrediting Professional or Statutory
Body
None
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Date of production/revision
August 2013
15. Background to the programme and subject area
In recent years international perspectives on journalism studies have become increasingly important as scholars
seeks ways of understanding journalism within the context of media globalisation. A significant shift has
occurred from the study of foreign reporting or international news to a study of global journalism, with attention
to transnational flows of media content, the globalisation of professional practices and the problematisation of
old notions of media imperialism which assumed clear divisions between media centres and peripheries. Media
coverage of global crises have underlined the interrelatedness of domestic and international news while events
like the Danish cartoon controversy have shown how international news coverage can in itself become a global
media event with significant social and political impact.
The MA in Global Journalism will provide students with a knowledge of the key debates and issues in global
journalism, and enable them to compare journalism in various regions of the world such as the developing
world, the EU and its neighbours and Japan and China. Students will be able to choose from a variety of
optional modules dealing with aspects such as journalism ethics, freedom of speech, online journalism and
media audiences. Theoretical modules will be complemented by modules on Communicating with the Media
and Writing and Researching for the Media, in which students can obtain practical skills to enhance their
academic research with the knowledge and skills required to apply their research in a commercial writing
environment. Field trips to media and political institutions will give students the opportunity to obtain first-hand
knowledge of the media in the UK and the European Union.
The programme draws on the expertise of staff in the Department of Journalism Studies and the School of East
Asian Studies, and is offered in a vibrant learning, teaching and research environment. The Department of
Journalism has obtained top rankings as a destination for the study of journalism and is located within a worldrenowned research university. Students will benefit from the extensive journalistic and research expertise of
staff as well as a supportive academic setting within which to conduct postgraduate work.
It is important to note that although the academic modules will be complemented by modules aimed at giving
students some practical writing experience, the programme primarily has an academic focus and is not
accredited as a postgraduate training programme for students who wish to work in the journalism profession.
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16. Programme aims
The Department of Journalism Studies is dedicated to the teaching and researching of journalism practice. This
programme seeks to add a global perspective to the Department’s offering by:

Equipping students with the skills and knowledge to understand, research and interpret the principal
conceptual, theoretical and normative issues and debates in the field of global journalism.

Giving students an understanding and knowledge of international perspectives on the theory and practice of
journalism.

Foster a critical appreciation of the significance and relevance of comparative and transnational approaches
to journalism studies.

Give students some experience of writing in a journalistic manner.

Foster a critical appreciation of the strategies adopted to communicate effectively with and through the
media
17. Programme learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of the Masters students will have acquired an enhanced knowledge and understanding
of:
K1
the political economy of global media.
K2
advanced media theory related to global journalism.
K3
contemporary developments and debates concerning the globalisation of media.
K4
key research methods in journalism and media studies.
K5
conducting individual and team research.
K6
the significance of comparative and transnational approaches to journalism studies.
K7
strategies for communicating effectively with and through the media.
K8
devising, researching and independently executing a major piece of research presented as a dissertation.
Skills and Other Attributes
On completion of the Masters students will have acquired the ability to:
S1
employ relevant research techniques.
S2
research, report, organize and structure information in a variety of formats.
S3
meet deadlines.
S4
manage their own learning, reflect on it critically and seek and use constructive feedback.
S5
to work independently and as a member of a team.
S6
make seminar presentations.
S7
relate academic research to the processes and practices of global journalism.
S8
reflect critically on the processes, theory and practice of global journalism.
For the award of Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate students will have acquired that
combination of K1- K7 and S1-S6 commensurate with the core and approved units successfully completed
(equivalent to 120 or 60 credits respectively).
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18. Teaching, learning and assessment
Development of the learning outcomes is promoted through the following teaching and learning
methods:
A programme of lectures and seminars provides students with a structured knowledge of all the programme
learning outcomes, supplemented by specialisation in one or two areas which provides more in-depth
knowledge of one or two of the main subject areas. As part of the teaching and learning process, students will
be required to present the results of research and study in seminars which will allow them to consolidate and
improve their understanding and knowledge of the programme learning outcomes as well as hone their
presentational skills. They will also attend a programme of workshops designed to introduce basic journalism
writing skills. Guest lecturers who have worked as journalism practitioners in countries outside the UK will add
to students’ knowledge and understanding of the practice of global journalism.
Opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes are provided through the following
assessment methods:
A variety of assessment methods will be used to allow students to achieve the learning outcomes. Students will
produce a range of written work including book and article reviews, essays, news stories, reports and
dissertation in order to demonstrate their command of the knowledge areas. These pieces of written work will
assess students’ enhanced knowledge and understanding of key theoretical debates and developments in
global journalism by requiring them to identify issues and problems related to the current global media
landscape (K1-3, S1-8) , engage with the academic literature(K5-7) and employ relevant research methods (K4,
S1, S8) in order to construct coherent arguments which will demonstrate the outcome of critical reflection on
these problems (K7-8, S1-4). They may take formal examinations (K1-3, 8, S7)or be assessed on class
presentations, as individuals or as part of a group (depending on options taken) (S5- S8).
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
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 aims and objectives
Department Learning and Teaching Strategy
Faculty of Social Sciences Learning and Teaching Strategy
External examiners’ reports
20. Programme structure and regulations
The programme’s structure is based on the establishment of core knowledge and understanding of the key
concepts, theories, methods and debates in the field of global journalism together with the research skills basic
practical skills and knowledge to undertake and complete a substantial piece of research, undertaken in the
latter half of the programme. The programme also gives students the opportunity to specialise in related areas
of interest.
The programme will consist of four core modules, including the dissertation, making up 105 credits, with a range
of options offered (15 credits each) to make up a total of 180 credits for the award of Masters.
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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
The first semester of the programme lays the conceptual, methodological and theoretical and practical
groundwork, as well as covering key areas of knowledge, for the rest of the year. Lectures, seminars and
workshops are designed to build students’ confidence and knowledge through tutor-directed discussion and
study. As the semester progresses, seminars become increasingly student-led as students are expected to take
more responsibility for critical understanding of the subject areas. In the second semester, the focus shifts to
more autonomous project work geared to exploring more fully the links between theory and practice in global
journalism and effective communication with and through the media. By this time students are expected to have
developed the skill of critical reflection which will be assisted by peer and tutor evaluation.
In the final third of the programme, students will be expected to undertake tutor-guided, individual research. This
work should show strong analytical skills and knowledge, expressed in the ability to conceptualise, devise and
execute a complex, rigorous piece of research.
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
None
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.
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