Bachelor of Journalism

Purpose

The overall purpose of the Degree is to produce high-quality graduates within the liberal arts tradition who can apply fundamental and specialist knowledge to solve problems in specific disciplines, and Journalism and Media Studies in particular.

A second purpose of the Degree is to produce graduates who are equipped for a career in Journalism and Media Studies or some related field.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements may be granted access to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Learners may be granted advanced standing on the basis of RPL. RPL is applied in all cases in accordance with the policy of the university Candidates should be able to communicate in English.

Entry Requirements

National Senior Certificate, Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's Degree studies and the ability to communicate adequately in both written and spoken English.

or

Senior Certificate, Level 4 with matriculation exemption and the ability to communicate adequately in both written and spoken English.

Specific outcomes

1. Manage full origination, production and distribution cycle for a complex media production.

In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to

• Demonstrate in all management tasks, an understanding of current environment and production trends.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the necessity for, and an ability to draw up and adhere to time lines.
• Demonstrate an ability to negotiate group dynamics.
• Draw up and manage a budget.
• Demonstrate an ability to devise, write up, present and negotiate project proposals.
• Demonstrate an ability to manage complex production processes.
• Demonstrate knowledge of evaluation process and an ability to manage feedback/debriefing processes.

1. Conceptualise, generate and publish media products, resources for media and analyses of media.

In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to

• Generate ideas for content, informed by knowledge of a well-defined audience and sensitive to social contexts.
• Demonstrate an ability to decide on appropriate, angles or treatment (choice of genre and formats) for the story/content.
• Appropriately select and apply a wide variety of formats, tools and methods for researching and editing content.
• Select and utilise appropriate channels of distribution to ensure that the media product reaches its audience and, where appropriate, creates a platform for audience interaction.
• Demonstrate an ability to effectively publicise a media product.

1. Demonstrate and articulate a critical understanding of the relationship between media and society.

In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to

• Identify media institutions and explain how they work at micro (internal) and macro (policy, legal, etc) levels.
• Identify the contemporary history, political, social, economic and cultural contexts within which the media operate and how these are shaped and shape society.
• Identify and critically reflect on the role of journalists and journalism in society.
• Analyse the different mediums.
• Analyse how media texts represent society.
• Identify and interpret media audiences.
• Analyse media consumption.

1. Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively about and through a variety of media at all levels of communication -i. e., Intrapersonal, interpersonal, intragroup, intergroup, institutional and society-wide.

In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to

• Follow complex, logical arguments, readings, and presentations.
• Produce complex, logical, persuasive and analytical arguments, presentations and essays, for a variety of audiences and in a variety of contexts.
• Communicate at a society-wide level through a variety of media for a variety of audiences.
• Communicate effectively under pressure, in exams or exam-like situations.
• Communicate effectively within a group.
• Communicate verbally to a variety of audiences/individuals.
• Demonstrate effective negotiation skills.
• Use appropriate technologies to facilitate effective communication.

1. Identify and use appropriate sources and research methods to study a given research problem.

In order to meet this outcome, the learner will be able to

• Identify research problems and access relevant resources needed to study them.
• Critically analyse problematic situations in the relations of media and society.
• Critically engage sources of information.
• Reflect on/question society-held assumptions about the practice of social/media research.
• Reflect on the uses and morality/ethics of the various research practices.
• Conduct a disciplined study by assessing research requirements; formulating research questions, selecting appropriate research methods and tools, gathering, evaluating, contextualising data and writing, evaluating and presenting research results.
• Work effectively in a team.

Learners should be able to

• Demonstrate a detailed understanding, both in theory and practice, of the principles, theories and facts that form the core of one or two major sub-disciplines of the humanities, one of which will be Journalism and Media Studies.
• Use available resources to gain access to information to undertake independent study.
• Interpret and summarise information from a variety of sources in the form of a logically structured and well-written essay.
• Analyse and evaluate a wide range of information and present the results as a logically structured and well-written essay.
• Demonstrate basic research, creative problem solving and critical thinking skills, as individuals and in groups.
• Demonstrate well-developed communicative skills and structure a logical argument both in writing and in the spoken form.

Integrated Assessment

• Integrated assessment is appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.
• Assessment entails three elements.
• Continual formal assessment both formative and summative.
• Continual informal assessment (formative).
• Formal end of course assessment (summative).
• The course work on which continuous assessment is based includes work done individually and in groups, and may consist of combinations of tests, essays, practical reports and seminars.