Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
News Journalism
Course Code
KSK_260
Branch of Science
Media and communications
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Līga Ozoliņa
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of the course is to create students’ understanding of the causes of formation, essence and significance of news journalism in the work of various media. The course introduces the basic principles of news writing and gives an insight into the role of news in the mass media and the functions and role of news journalism in society.
Preliminary Knowledge
Completed course Introduction to Journalism.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.On the essence of news journalism, news values, news topics, principles of ethics and professionalism in news journalism, news structures, characteristics of news, and their writing stages in various media.
Skills
1.Ability to write news articles of different types, topics, and structures; skills to evaluate the quality, truthfulness, neutrality, comprehensiveness of news; skills to assess whether reality is not stereotyped at the time of writing the news, or whether the journalist is not prejudiced and biased.
Competences
1.The study course provides the basic skills of news writing, trains the ability to select the most important information, to write accurately, objectively, clearly, and concisely. It develops the ability to structure information, to evaluate its significance, objectivity, and accuracy, forming the basis for work in news journalism in various media. The course deals with the most relevant news topics, working with news sources, and impact factors of news in the context of the world as reflected by mass media and the actual events.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
|
Preparation of a presentation on one of the selected topics.
Preparing an interview with a news journalist.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
1. participation in lectures – 35%
2. work in seminar classes – 20%
3. individual work – 20%
4. examination – 25%
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
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2
|
Topics
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Introduction to news journalism. Presentation of the subject.
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
News in the mass media. Role and functions of news journalism. What is news? How to find facts? The dimension of fact.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
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2
|
Topics
|
News journalism and the effects of time pressure. How do I find my news? How to create news in times of stress?
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Principles and approaches of news writing. Accuracy, clarity, objectivity, honesty. How do news originate? How to present news? Structures of news, news leads and creation thereof.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
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2
|
Topics
|
During the seminar, news of two types/structures must be created from the material offered, justifying one’s choice – news criteria, structure, type of medium.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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News writing. Values of news, their development and significance. News topics and sources. How to work with news sources? Case study.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
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News sources, their selection and selection of information obtained. Work with news sources. Problem of availability and competence of sources. News sources that must be “hunted down” and sources that must be declined.
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
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Auditorium
|
2
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Topics
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The most common news errors. News analysis and editing. Journalist behaviour during the collection and presentation of news material.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Journalist behaviour during the collection and presentation of news material. Creating an interview with a news journalist.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Research of the news subject, creation of news (writing, video, audio, photo): introduction, choice of sources, influence of processes in writing the news. Editing news and selecting visual material. Cooperation with the editor.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
20 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Wahl-Jorgensen, & Wahl-Jorgensen, Karin. (2020). The handbook of journalism studies / edited by Karin Wahl-Jorgensen and Thomas Hanitzsch. (2nd edition.).Suitable for English stream
2.
Ireton, C., Posetti, J. (2018). JOURNALISM, ‘FAKE NEWS’ AND DISINFORMATION. A Model Course for Journalism Educators and Trainers Worldwide.Suitable for English stream
3.
Keeble, R. (2006). The Newspapers handbook. 4thh ed. Taylor & Francis e-Library.Suitable for English stream
4.
White, E. (ed). (2017). Ethics in the news. Ethical Journalism Network.Suitable for English stream
5.
Miller, C. (ed). (2009). The Future of Journalism. Papers from a conference organised by the BBC College of Journalism, BBC College of Journalism.Suitable for English stream
6.
McIntyre, K., Gyldensted, C. (2017). Constructive Journalism: An Introduction and Practical Guide for Applying Positive Psychology Techniques to News Production. The Journal of Media Innovations 4.2, p. 20-34.Suitable for English stream
7.
Lehman-Wilzig, S. N., & Seletzky, M. (2010). Hard news, soft news, ‘general’ news: The necessity and utility of an intermediate classification. Journalism, 11(1), 37-56.Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
Brewer PR, Young DG, Lambe JL, et al. ‘Seize your moment, my lovely trolls’: News, satire, and public opinion about net neutrality. International Journal of Communication, 2018. 12: 1408–1430.Suitable for English stream
2.
Djerf-Pierre M and Shehata A. Still an agenda setter: Traditional news media and public opinion during the transition from low to high choice media environments. Journal of Communication, 2017. 67, 5: 733–757.Suitable for English stream
3.
Mellado C, Hellmueller L, Márquez-Ramírez M, et al. The hybridization of journalistic cultures: A comparative study of journalistic role performance. Journal of Communication, 2017. 67(6): 944–967.Suitable for English stream
4.
Political news journalism: Mediatization across three news reporting contextSuitable for English stream
5.
Balmas M. When fake news becomes real. Communication Research, 2012. 41, 3: 430–454.Suitable for English stream
6.
Welbers K and Opgenhaffen M. Presenting news on social media. Digital Journalism, 2018. 7: 45–62.Suitable for English stream
7.
Papacharissi Z. Toward new journalism(s): Affective news, hybridity, and liminal spaces. Journalism Studies, 2015. 16(1): 27–40.Suitable for English stream
Other Information Sources
1.
Digital News Report by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University
2.
International News Media AssociationSuitable for English stream
3.
Ethical Journalism NetworkSuitable for English stream
4.
WorldNewsDay.orgSuitable for English stream