Bachelor of Journalism Honours

Purpose

The aim of the Bachelor of Journalism Honours is to produce journalists who have enhanced and crucial insights into the journalism profession, including its evolution wrought by the digital revolution, a critical understanding of the regional, national, and global contexts in which journalism functions, and the ethical principles that inform it. This qualification, therefore, is purposed to iterate to learners the importance of adherence to ethical codes and practices within the media industry, enhancing public confidence in the practice of journalism locally and globally and, securing the role of accountable, trustworthy, informative media.

The qualifying learners will be able to demonstrate competencies of general knowledge and intellectual ability as well as professional techniques of research, writing and other forms of presentation.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Demonstrate understanding of the principles and practice of research, especially in the journalism and media contexts and confidence in accessing and using academic literature in relation to their own practice and contexts.
• Develop contextualised, in-depth multi-media content from inception to the final product.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how sociality is constituted by different forms of media and how these speak to issues of social belonging and calls for social change.
• Demonstrate first-hand experience of the process of research and application of its principles through planning and implementing a simple, short-term research project.
• Demonstrate the ability to take full responsibility and accountability for own's work, decision-making and use of resources as newsroom personnel, and actions of others in the capacity of a newsroom manager.
• Operate as a professional journalist to produce in-depth media products in a specialist field demonstrating an understanding of the context and ethical considerations.

Rationale

The proposed Bachelor of Journalism Honours takes its cue from the scarce skills needs of the country. The guidelines offered by UNESCO's Model Curricula for Journalism Education (2007 and 2013) and its Global Initiative for Excellence in Journalism Education project (2014 - 2021) have also been considered.

This offering will have a greater conceptual focus than the department's existing offerings. The aim, as alluded to earlier, is journalism praxis: to offer a healthy balance between theory and practice, to inculcate critical reflection and to produce ethical journalism graduates of depth and substance. This aim is aligned with the Global Initiative for Excellence in Journalism Education to produce questioning, independent and informed journalism graduates who, through their journalistic outputs, can disseminate quality knowledge for peace, development, and democracy. This will enable graduates to undertake with competence and confidence journalistic roles in a range of media forms and organisations or companies.

There is a demand in South Africa for journalists who are new media savvy, multimedia specialists yet abide by core journalistic principles and are critical thinkers. These are quite a few challenging requirements which could be met adequately by an Honours degree offering.

There are no journalism professional bodies in South Africa. A needs analysis and an analysis of relevant trends, including employment opportunities. The qualifying learner will have vocational skills coupled with a discursive edge and be able to think and write analytically. The Honours degree will provide a range of job opportunities in the Journalism field, across mediums such as print, broadcast, and online and is supported by stakeholders.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Journalism, NQF Level 7.

Or

• A relevant qualification in the related field, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 08 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits

• Research Methodology, 20 Credits.
• Multimedia and Journalism, 20 Credits.
• Media and Society, 20 Credits.
• Research Project), 20 Credits.
• Media Management, 20 Credits.
• Specialist Journalism, 20 Credits.

1. Demonstrate understanding of the principles and practice of research especially in the journalism and media contexts, and confidence in accessing and using academic literature in relation to their own practice and contexts.
2. Develop contextualised, and in-depth multi-media content from inception to the final product.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how sociality is constituted by different forms of media and how these speak to issues of social belonging and calls for social change.
4. Demonstrate first-hand experience of the process of research and application of its principles through planning and implementing a simple, short-term research project.
5. Demonstrate the ability to take full responsibility and accountability for own's work, decision-making and use of resources as newsroom personnel, and actions of others in the capacity of a newsroom manager.
6. Operate as a professional journalist to produce in-depth media products in a specialist field demonstrating an understanding of the context and ethical considerations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Define and present a research proposal correctly.
• Critique, discuss and present a synthesis of existing literature and media relevant to the research proposal according to academic criteria.
• Collect and interpret relevant data in terms of critical literature.
• Produce and present a clear and acceptable communication of the research problem, its investigation, outcomes, and recommendations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Critically source material for a range of news platforms.
• Gather information according to established methods and values.
• Script multimedia content appropriately.
• Produce packages according to established criteria.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Access, evaluate use, and source information.
• Utilise language resources effectively and responsibly to produce essays and academic papers.
• Analyse media text and institutions critically.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate understanding of concepts and theories.
• Discuss and critique application in a specialist field of knowledge according to accepted academic criteria.
• Consider ethical implications of the research.
• Select appropriate methods of data gathering.
• Apply appropriate methods of data analysis.
• Conclude impactful research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Conceptual and theoretical understanding of media management.
• Demonstrate mastery of positioning analysis and financial acumen.
• Produce a workable plan for daily management of a media product and organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Synthesise critically evaluated research into media content containing valid commentary and analysis.
• Apply independent thinking when writing unbiased media stories.
• Produce articles and multimedia packages utilising journalistic style, ethics, and principles.